Semantic battlespace data mapping using tactical symbology

Abstract

Interoperability of military C4ISR systems mainly in NATO Joint Operations has been one of crucial tasks. The most mature standard designed for system interoperability is the JC3IEDM, which was developed based on several NATO C4I models. Representing battlefield scenarios in form of pure relational data requires additional rendering mechanism to present the situation picture, which can further be reused by the decision makers. The purpose of this work is to describe the development process of JC3IEDM and APP-6A ontologies and designed model mappings. Analysis of both standards helped us realized that transformation of data structures is not the modelling goal itself. The descriptions provided within the models carry the semantics as domain values for attributes, and business rules stating their valid combinations. Through detailed review of both standards, it was possible to identify missing descriptions both in JC3 and APP-6A and most of all describe the similarities further used as a source for definition of ontology class constructors and SWRL rules. Produced models in conducted research have been applied as knowledge bases for decision support tools providing several combat scenarios, uploaded into operational JC3 database, which was then the source for migrating them into semantic model. Ontology processing services using mapping rules transformed instances of battlespace objects into symbology domain, identifying the APP-6A signs codes used by the distributed Common Operational Picture tools. Prototype subsystem, developed as proof of concept, renders the battlespace scenario based on identified semantic bridges between the JC3IEDM (used for reflecting detailed information on the battlefield) and symbology standard. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.