XMLBased Neutral Language for Data Display Systems

1
XML-Based Neutral Language for Data Display
Systems
John Hamilton Ron Fernandes Knowledge Based
Systems, Inc.
112th RCC Telemetry Group Conference California,
MD August 24th, 2005
2
Agenda

• Background
• Motivation
• Data Display Markup Language (DDML)
• Data Display Model Repository and Translator
  Framework (DDTF)
• Applications
• Conclusions

3
Background

• Work based on a Phase I and II SBIR sponsored by
  Edwards Air Force Base
• Technical POC Dr. Charles Jones
• Work with
• China Lake / Lockheed Martin, Ridgecrest
• NAWS, Pt. Mugu
• Pax River Test Range Center
• PM Utility Helicopter, U.S. Army
• Sherrill-Lubinski Corp
• Symvionics Corp.
• Bruce Lipe, EAFB
• Jon Morgan, EAFB
• Project ends Nov 2006

4
Why Neutral Language?

• Data display setup is a lengthy procedure
• Diverse data display systems
• Test and Evaluation (TE) performed at different
  locations
• Need reuse of displays for joint service TE
  missions
• Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)
• Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)

5
Why Neutral Language?

• Currently, displays are created manually
• Develop translators without neutral language

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Why Neutral Language?

• Develop translators with neutral language

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Data Display Markup Language

• Based on eXtensible Markup Language (XML)
• Four logical layers graphics resources,
  dynamics, variables and data sources
• Includes most TE display objects
• plotters, meters, strip charts, etc.
• Primitive graphics resources based on Scalable
  Vector Graphics (SVG)
• rectangles, lines, etc.
• Generic to support nonstandard objects

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Data Display Markup Language

• Layers similar to typical software architecture

9
DDML Design

• DDML is generic enough to support multiple data
  display systems, despite
• Nomenclature differences across tools
• Different functionality and focus for each system
• Architectural differences and fuzzy specification
  of architectural layers
• Nonstandard, tool-specific concepts

10
DDML Design artifacts

• Data dictionary Excel-based
• Maps vendor objects to DDML elements and
  attributes
• IDEF1X data model
• Special mapping rules file
• XMLSpy model
• DTD and XML Schemas

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DDML Data Dictionary

• Dictionary of DDML terms and description
• Includes corresponding terms in SL, IADS,
  DataViews, RangeView, GRIDS, etc.
• Logically, each term is of the following four
  types
• Element (document type definition DTD element)
• Attribute (DTD attribute)
• User-defined parameter
• ltparam namexxx valueyy typestringgt
• User-defined object type
• ltobject nameMySC typeMikes Metergt

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DDML Details

• ltmodelgt contains all display objects on a given
  screen.
• Standard display objects including
• ltstripchartgt
• ltbarchartgt
• ltpiechartgt
• ltdialgt
• ltslidergt
• Non-Standard/Custom objects
• ltobjectgt

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DDML Structure
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DDML Support for Derived Data

• Example 1 3x2 - 2(sin y)2
• ltexp
• ltexp coef3 power2 var_refx /gt
• ltexp coef-2 power2 operSIN var_refy /gt
• lt/expgt
• Example 2 4x2 - 5(sin ?(y2 z2) )
• ltexp
• ltexp coef4 power2 var_refx /gt
• ltexp coef-5 power0.5 operSINgt
• ltexp coef1 power2 var_refy /gt
• ltexp coef1 power2 var_refy /gt
• lt/expgt
• lt/expgt

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Example of using DDML

• DDML serves as the interlingua

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DDML Documentation

• Translator development methodology is documented
• Internal and external translators
• Whats common to both types
• To be presented at ITC 2005
• DDML website maintenance
• http//www.kbsi.com/DDML/DDML.htm

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Mapping DDML to a new Target

• Each tool/system must map its concept to that of
  DDML
• Add display objects to data dictionary
• Map objects to DDML objects
• Define extra/special rules for mapping
• Catalog non-standard display objects
• Translator must encode these rules to read/write
  DDML
• Internal Vs. External Translator

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Data Display Translator Framework

• DDML Model Repository with Translators

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Data Display Translator Framework

• Phase II DDML Browser

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Data Display Translator Framework

• Phase II DDML Query Tool

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DDML Benefits

• Supports interoperability of display systems
• Same look and feel across environments and test
  centers
• Vendor-independent way of cataloging display
  information
• Can be used in various environments
• TE missions
• Industrial process control
• Cockpit and automobile dashboards
• Health monitoring man and machine

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Conclusions

• DDML is a generic XML-based neutral language for
  data display applications
• DDML has been tested to support at least three
  vendor-specific formats
• DDTF provided integrated framework for future
  translators
• DDML and DDTF have applications beyond TE

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Points of Contact

• Dr. Charles Jones, AFFTC, EAFB
• charles.jones_at_edwards.af.mil
• Mike Graul, KBSI
• Mgraul_at_kbsi.com
• John Hamilton, KBSI
• JLHamilton_at_kbsi.com
• Ronald Fernandes, KBSI
• Rfernandes_at_kbsi.com