Object Model Development: Tools and Techniques

(This paper presents information representing the HLA development process underway by the Defense Modeling and Simulation Office (DMSO) and the Department of Defense (DoD) Architecture Management Group (AMG)). The development of a Federation Object Model (FOM) is a critical activity within the Federation Development and Execution Process Model (FEDEP) and represents much of the work in assembling a Federation Execution for a particular sponsor’s objectives. To support FOM development, the Defense Modeling and Simulation Office (DMSO) has been sponsoring the development of an integrated object model tools suite to support development and management of HLA object models. A key component of the object model tool suite is the Object Model Data Dictionary System (OMDDS). The FEDEP recommends an object model development approach that begins with the Conceptual Model and a standardized data dictionary from which a federation developer can build their FOM from the “bottom up.” Another approach is to utilize existing FOMs or “Reference FOMs” developed by a particular community or simulation domain and tailor the FOM for the specific simulation needs of the developing federation. This tailoring represents more of a “top-down” approach to FOM development. This paper reports on a recent study that examined several approaches to FOM development while utilizing components of the object model tool suite. The paper provides guidance to help a federation developer determine which FOM development tools and techniques would best suit their particular needs. It also discusses the use and utility of the object model tool suite: the OMDDS in providing content for the creation of FOMs, the Object Model Library (OML) in providing existing FOMs and SOMs for use in creating new FOMs, and the Object Model Development Tools (OMDTs) in using OMDDS content to build FOMs.