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2005 SIW in San Diego!
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Article by: Jennifer Laudone
 Giant Panda at San Diego Zoo
The 2005 Spring SIW conference will be located in sunny San Diego. The conference will be taking place at the Mission Valley Hilton from April 3-8. The Call for Papers will be out soon, here are some dates to keep in mind:...
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Applicability of Open Standards
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Article by: Andreas Tolk
The paper "Composable Mission Spaces and M&S Repositories - Applicability of Open Standards" on top of the recommended reading list of the recent Spring Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2004 (04S-SIW-009) deals with challenge of generating a federation "on the fly." So far, no satisfying solution serving this need has been accomplished. The use of open source doesn't satisfy the industry, which has a vital interest to keep their core solutions in-house and to protect their intellectual property. The use of interface-driven solutions based on black boxes leads to discrepancies and inconsistent federations, as has been shown in the paper on top of the recent Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop 2003 (03F-SIW-007), in which the Levels of Conceptual Interoperability Model (LCIM) was introduced....
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Comments from the Departing U.S. Army Model and Simulation Office Director
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Article by: Dell Lunceford
It’s amazing how little we know after all these years.….Myst
In the 8 March 1999 issue of Simulation Technology Magazine I wrote a short article that started out “One of the nice things about making a job change is that it gives you the opportunity to reflect on what you have been doing and where you are headed”. At that time I was leaving DARPA where I had been the PM for Advanced Simulation Technology and was moving to the U.S. Army Model and Simulation Office (AMSO), initially as the Technical Director and soon thereafter promoted to the ranks of the Senior Executive Service (SES) and made the Director. I now find myself in the position once again of moving on, retiring from civil service after 30 great years, so the opportunity comes once again to sit back and reflect on where the M&S community is and how far it has come in the intervening 5 years since I wrote the 8 March article....
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Dell Lunceford Retires and Receives Many Awards Of Achievement
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Article by: Sharon Hardy and Jennifer Laudone

The SISO Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Mr. Dell Lunceford at the 2004 Spring SISO SIW
After 30 years of being involved with the M&S community as a Federal Government employee, Mr. Dell Lunceford retires. On August 20, 2004 Mr. Lunceford celebrated his retirement with family, friends, peers, staff, and co-workers at a Retirement Social held in his honor. ...
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Experiences Using the Six Services of the IEEE 1516.1 Specification: A 1516 Tutorial
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Article by: Robert Lutz and Sean Murphy
The National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) has sponsored a research program over the past three years intended to demonstrate the ability to simulate integrated human function over time. The specific goal was to verify that interoperable simulations of human physiological functions applicable to the spaceflight environment, executing interactively, can produce integrated results that cannot be produced by these same simulations executing independently....
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SISO Sponsor Article - Ternion Corporation
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Article by: Denise Howard
Since 1989, Ternion Corporation has worked to satisfy the growing need for more robust and less expensive constructive simulations by providing quality commercial simulation products and services. Ternion provides the world's only commercially available, open-architecture constructive simulation framework, FLAMES® (FLexible Analysis Modeling and Exercise System)....
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Using Distributed Agents to Improve the Efficiency of End-Host Multicast
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Article by: Robert Simon, Woan Sun Chang, J. Mark Pullen
Robert Simon Woan Sun Chang J. Mark Pullen Dept. of Computer Science and C3I Center George Mason University Fairfax, VA, 22030 USA {simon, wchang}@cs.gmu.edu, mpullen@gmu.edu
ABSTRACT: This paper addresses the issue of supporting large-scale agent-oriented simulation systems using end-host multicast. End-host multicasting is required when IP multicasting is not available, as in the case of much of the current Internet. Using a previously developed agent architecture for distributed simulation, we present a suite of highly-adaptive agent interconnection algorithms using overlay multicasting techniques. We have experimentally evaluated our approach under a number of different scenarios. Analysis shows that it is possible to achieve end-to-end system performance comparable to native network-layer multicast for agent-based systems using end-host multicast....
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Webletter Information
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Article by: Mike Lightner
The SISO Simulation Technology On-line Magazine is a publication of the Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization and is intended as a forum for keeping the SISO community abreast of issues and information of interest to its members....
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Applying Design Patterns for Enabling Simulation Interoperability
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Article by: Paul Gustavson
Paul Gustavson (SimVentions) Dr. Katherine L. Morse (SAIC) Robert Lutz (JHU APL) Steve Reichenthal (Boeing)
1 Introduction Characteristically the approach for defining a model representation for a federation, which is often referred to as a Federation Object Model (FOM) in HLA, is to focus on matching system capabilities of federates that come closest to supporting the perceived needs (i.e. the requirements) of the federation, or choosing an existing and well-adopted FOM whether or not it maps and fully supports the perceived needs of the federation.
However, a more effective and efficient way for creating a model representation for a federation and facilitating reuse begins with the identification of the conceptual models....
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Enabling Space M&S in Army Models
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Article by: Alesya Paschal, Kevin Crumlish, Matthew Gorevin

Background The Army Space M&S Focus Area Collaborative Team (FACT) was formed to address the deficiency of space representation in Army M&S. The Space FACT, led by SMDC, is an Army-wide multi-disciplinary team comprised of community experts to research, identify, and coordinate simulation technology projects in space M&S. The FACT developed a roadmap for space representation in Army M&S. The initial enabling technology identified is to develop a generalized representation of satellites. The Generalized Representation of Space-based Platforms (GRoSP) algorithm was developed to fill this capability gap. The objective of the GRoSP project was to develop a fast running representation of individual space-based systems that could quickly provide satellite locations to real time simulations....
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Environmental Data Models: Necessary but Not Sufficient for Interoperability
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Article by: Virginia T. Dobey, Peter L. Eirich
Virginia T. Dobey Peter L. Eirich
Keywords: interoperability, physical environment, natural environment, environmental representation, EDM, environmental data model, data model, normalization
ABSTRACT: During the past several years, the concept of an “Environmental Data Model” (EDM) has arisen within the simulation community for the development of environmental representations. An EDM, in the form of a logical data model, describes the environmental data elements found in either a specific environmental data source or in an application. This paper cites studies and experiments revealing that EDMs, in the way they are presently constituted, and even when supplemented by tools such as equivalence classes and environmental ontologies, were not adequate to permit computer-based analyses to fully discover the potential extent of application interoperability that could be expected. ...
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Evolution of the Standard Simulation Architecture
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Article by: Jeffrey S. Steinman, Douglas R. Hardy
Abstract This article proposes the standardization of a layered simulation architecture that addresses many of the critical modeling needs of the DoD simulation community. The Standard Simulation Architecture works with HLA to provide the additional infrastructure that is necessary for developing highly interacting yet decoupled software models, while simultaneously supporting technology infusion from R&D organizations. The overall goal is to provide a cost-effective solution that features complete flexibility for simulation systems without sacrificing performance....
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Linking Live, Virtual, and Constructive Environments for Digital Battle Command Testing and Training
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Article by: Mary Anne Tatum

Introduction Situational awareness (SA) and digital battle command and control (C2) are crucial to the continuing success of the U.S. Army. Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) clearly demonstrates that success on the battlefield is due not only to the skillful use of advanced weapon systems, but also to the effective use of digital battle command systems. The war has also highlighted the importance of using realistic synthetic environments for operational testing and training....
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Online Master of Engineering in Modeling & Simulation
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Article by: Hessam Sarjoughian
In the increasingly competitive worldwide marketplace, successful completion of projects and programs requires development of software-intensive systems for aerospace, supply-chain networks, and intelligent systems using simulation-based methodologies. To help meet these demands, Arizona State University has introduced Master of Engineering in Modeling and Simulation [1], providing a mixture of foundational modeling and simulation courses enriched with advances in computer science and industrial and systems engineering....
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Profiling Analytical Combat Models Using Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework (XMSF) Principles
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Article by: Curtis Blais
1. Introduction The Department of Defense (DoD) is engaged in warfighting and institutional transformation for the new millennium. In parallel, the DoD Modeling & Simulation (M&S) community is working to identify and adopt transformational technologies providing direct tactical relevance to warfighters. In 2002, the Defense Modeling and Simulation Office (DMSO) initiated the Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework (XMSF) program to encourage application of Web technologies and open standards by military M&S planners, managers, developers, and users....
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Summary of the 2003 Composable Mission Space Environments Workshop
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Article by: Dr. Katherine L. Morse
Dr. Katherine L. Morse, Science Applications International Corporation Mikel D. Petty, Old Dominion University Paul F. Reynolds, University of Virginia William F. Waite, AEgis Technologies Group Philomena M. Zimmerman, U. S. Army Research, Development, and Experimentation Command
Introduction & Background Composability is the capability to select and assemble simulation components in various combinations into simulation systems to satisfy specific user requirements. Composability is more than just the ability to assemble simulations from parts; it is the ability to combine and recombine sets of components into different simulation systems to meet different needs. ...
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Upcoming Events
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Article by: Sharon Hardy
Alabama Modeling and Simulation Annual Meeting 2004 
The Alabama Modeling and Simulation Council (AMSC) will be holding a day long event at the Huntsville Marriott on October 19, 2004.
Click here to Register Online
For more information about AMSC see web site http://www.amsc.to/ ...
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From the Editors
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Article by: Mike Lightner and Sharon Hardy

Welcome to the Fall 2004 edition of the SISO Simulation Technology On-Line Magazine. The M&S community and profession is ever growing and the challenges we face can sometimes seem daunting. But however difficult, these challenges are interesting and most often fun to take on and solve. In the process we grow as a community and present real solutions to real issues and leave a lasting and positive impact on our community and those we serve. SISO plays a critical role in supporting this ever growing community of M&S professionals in addressing these challenges by advancing new ideas in the form of technologies, standards and best practices all aimed at improving the application of M&S solutions and meeting the community’s needs. We believe that this on-line magazine supports and enhances that role and we are proud of the contribution it makes. ...
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From the Excom
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Article by: Warren Katz
The Spring 04 SIW took place in Hyatt Crystal City in Washington D.C. Our experiment in moving the Spring 03 SIW and co-locating with the Society for Computer Simulation (SCS) Advanced Simulation Technology Conference (ASTC) was considered a success, thus establishing a pattern of moving the Spring workshop around to new venues, continuing to partner with SCS, and keeping the Fall workshop in Orlando....
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Quiz Time
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Article by: Dr. Beth Sheldon-Biddle
Did you read the previous issue (March 16, 2004) of Simulation Technology Magazine? This edition of the quiz column tests your knowledge of the material discussed in the March articles. If you have not read the previous issue, you can still read the articles by clicking on the “back issues” link at the bottom of the Simulation Technology Magazine’s home page. As always, comments and suggestions for future questions are always welcome. Good luck!...
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Quiz Time --Answers
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Article by: Beth Sheldon
Quiz Answers: Find out if you picked the correct choice!
The answers to the questions posed on the front page are provided below. The questions are re-stated for your easy reference. A brief explanation and references for more information are included for those interested in learning more about each topic. ...
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SAC Update
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Article by: Chris Rouget
The 2004 Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop (SIW) will include the fourth Standards Plenary presentation, which is now part of the main Plenary on Monday afternoon. This presentation will include the status of all SISO Product Development Groups (PDGs) and Study Groups (SGs), with a selection of these groups presenting an update on their progress. SISO through the various workshops provides a forum for simulation developers and key experts in the field of distributed simulation to meet and exchange ideas and to continue the development of the standards products....
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Simulation Interoperability Workshops: The CC Report
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Article by: Rick Sharp
Time flies when you are having fun and what a fun year 2004 has been. It’s hard to believe that our Fall 04 SIW is just around the corner. This has been a very good year for SISO as we continue to grow and to get involved in new areas. Our Fall SIW will be focusing on M&S for Manufacturing and Engineering. This will be a very interesting session as we learn about the needs of these communities and hopefully initiate efforts to work with them to satisfy those needs....
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SISO Officers and Committees for 2005
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Article by: Duncan Miller, SISO Executive Director
SISO recently completed its annual elections for 2005. Any SISO member in good standing is eligible to self-nominate for a SISO committee and to vote in SISO elections. The elected committee members then elect their own officers. The new committees and officers assume their positions at the close of the Fall SIW in September....
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