Object Oriented Systems

Interoperability Architectures
Remote instrumentation and data collection systems, such as defense and space intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, are too expensive to build, operate, and maintain. They are also unique and noninteroperable without significant design reengineering. SRI is studying and promoting the application of existing industrial communication architectures and products—in particular, FOUNDATION fieldbus standards—to interoperability problems within defense and space mission systems.

We established the Interoperable Systems Program (ISP) Laboratory, a collection of end-system and host interface devices emulating onboard collection and guidance sensors within manned or unmanned space, airborne, or ground vehicles. With support from NASA, we demonstrated an initial version of virtual device software in the Innovators Center at the 1997 Instrumentation Society of America (ISA) Technical Conference and Exposition.

In 1998 we continued to support the application of the Foundation architecture to space mission operations and control. We studied other industrial communication products and their applicability to the problems of intranetwork control of power electronic building blocks (PEBBs) such as may be used in future automotive or all-electric shipboard environments.