Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework (XMSF) Calendar     Mailing Lists     People     Projects     Reports     Next:   XMSF Deep-Dive Developers Days, 23-24 August 2004 preceding MOVES Open House Technical Challenges Workshop 2002     Strategic Opportunities Symposium 2002     Early Adopters Workshop 2003     JFCOM Workshop 2003

The Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework (XMSF) is defined as a set of Web-based technologies, applied within an extensible framework, that enables a new generation of modeling & simulation (M&S) applications to emerge, develop and interoperate.

Specific subject areas for XMSF include (a) Web/XML, (b) Internet/networking and (c) modeling & simulation (M&S).

Web Services provide the best technical approach and the best business strategy for large-scale progress.

Partner institutions leading the research & development of XMSF are listed as follows. The XMSF People page lists XMSF partner investigators and staff.

• Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) MOVES Institute,
• George Mason University (GMU) NetLab,
• Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), and
• Old Dominion University (ODU) Virginia Modeling, Analysis & Simulation Center (VMASC) Battle Lab.

Primary sponsors to date include

• Defense Modeling & Simulation Office (DMSO)
• Navy Modeling & Simulation Office (NAVMSMO)
• Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
• U.S. Army TRADOC Analysis Center (TRAC) Monterey
• Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) Joint Experimentation Directorate (J9)
• Joint Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) Co-Laboratory
• USAF Joint Synthetic Battlespace (JSB)
• Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) OPNAV N81 - Assessment

• Simulation Interoperabilty Standards Organization (SISO) XMSF Profiles Study Group
• Web3D Consortium
• WebSim Symposium
• Sun Microsystems
• Fleet Numerical Meteorological & Oceanographic Center (FNMOC)
• Yumetech Inc.
• VCom3D Inc.
• Planet 9 Design
• General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (GD-AIS)
• Rolands + Associates (R+A) Inc.
• Pitch AB

Please contact us if you are interested in further sponsorship or collaboration opportunities.

Projects

We are now presenting multiple XMSF-enabled projects that support Web Services for modeling & simulation (M&S).

• Project Report: Adapting Legacy Computational Software for XMSF. Elizabeth L. White and J. Mark Pullen, George Mason University, Simulation Interoperability Workshop (SIW), Fall 2003, submission 03F-SIW-112, Orlando Florida. Paper and slideset available online.
• Network EducationWare (NEW). J. Mark Pullen, George Mason University (GMU). NEW is a powerful and robust Internet teaching and conferencing environment based on open-source Internet conferencing software, a suite of open-source distance education software. Website available online.
• Web-Enabled RTI. SAIC's initial XMSF exemplars use Web based communication protocols, SOAP and BEEP, to allow an High Level Architecture (HLA) compliant simulation to communicate with the DMSO/SAIC Runtime Infrastructure (RTI) over the Web. The Web-Enabled RTI enables multiple federates to reside as web services on a Wide-Area Network (WAN), permitting an end-user to join a federation over the Internet. Flyer available online.
• NPS Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Workbench. Flyer, poster, slide set, paper and autoinstall software available online. The AUV Workbench uses the Xj3D open-source browser toolkit. This project is available as a package in an online CVS source archive with CVS Web view. We also provide support via the AUV Workbench mailing list and XMSF Bugtracker.
• X3D Sonar Visualization and Tactical Web Services for Undersea Warfare (USW). Slideset (20MB), flyer, poster and (password-protected) project page available online.
• OPNAV N81-NPS World-Class Modeling (WCM) 2004 Projects Overview: Connecting SimKit Discrete Event Simulation (DES) and the Naval Simulation System (NSS) via Web Services for Extensible Modeling & Simulation (XMSF)-Capable Analysis. Don Brutzman, Arnie Buss and Curt Blais, Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Monterey California, 29 January 2004. Quad chart slide, white paper and slideset available online.

  The following presentations were given at the Military Operations Research Society (MORS) Symposium, NPS 22-24 June 2004.

  • A Transformational Framework for Design, Development, and Integration of Simulation Models, Don Brutzman, Arnold Buss, LCDR Phillip Pournelle, Curt Blais, John Ruck, Jay Roland. Abstract and slides.
  • Simkit Analysis Workbench for Rapid Construction of Modeling and Simulation Components, Arnold Buss, Don Brutzman, Curt Blais, Rick Goldberg, Don McGregor, John Ruck. Abstract and slides.
  • Naval Simulation System (NSS), Simkit, and CombatXXI using XMSF Web Services for Joint Modeling and Analysis, Curt Blais, Arnold Buss, Don Brutzman, John Ruck, Don McGregor. Abstract and slides.

  Also available (firewall-protected resource): WCM bugzilla bug tracker.

• XML Schema-based Binary Compression (XSBC). Extensible Schema Binary Compression (XSBC) has been developed as a general approach to binary serialization of XML documents. Elements and attributes are replaced via a tokenization scheme which carefully preserves valid XML document structure. XSBC uses XML schema as the basis for determining key document parameters such as legal elements, attributes and data types. Binary serialization of XML via XSBC appears suitable both for message streams and document-storage streams. Attribute and leaf-node data can be compressed by type-specific algorithms. Ongoing work includes possible further annotation of schema to include binary compression parameters such as significant digits, significant bits (or bytes), skippability, lossy/lossless, etc. Refinements to the XSBC algorithm and open-source implementation are ongoing. XSBC can further incorporate geometric-compression algorithms, and is being considered as part of the forthcoming Binary Compressed Encoding for the Extensible 3D (X3D) Graphics ISO standard.

  Currently XSBC+ZIP is showing 7-10% better compression than ZIP alone on large (e.g. 7MB) XML-izable numeric text files. In other words: the zipped version of the xml-ized, XSBC-compressed original is smaller than the zipped version of the plaintext original.

  Prior generations of this effort were named Cross-Format Schema Protocol (XFSP) and Dynamic Behavior Protocol (DBP). Presented at the W3C Workshop on Binary Interchange of XML Information Item Sets, Santa Clara California, USA, 24-26 September 2003. XSBC is a submitted contribution in support of the Extensible 3D (X3D) Binary Compressed Encoding and is undergoing implementation and evaluation. Current work also includes addition of Hamming Code Forward-Error Correction (FEC) for robust transmission via noisy wireless or acoustic data links. Paper, thesis abstract, thesis and source archive with CVS Web view available online.

Reports

•  Technical Report: XMSF Basis.    XMSF 2002 Findings and Recommendations Report: Technical Challenges Workshop and Strategic Opportunities Symposium. Don Brutzman and Mike Zyda NPS, Mark Pullen GMU, and Katherine L. Morse SAIC. 22 October 2002. 52 pages.

  For convenient reading:

  • XMSF Brochure
  • XMSF Technical Report
  • XMSF Workshop Point Papers
  • XMSF Symposium Presentations

•  Technical Report: JSB.    JSB Composability and Web Services Interoperability via Extensible Modeling & Simulation Framework (XMSF), Model Driven Architecture (MDA), Component Repositories, and Web-based Visualization. Don Brutzman NPS and Andreas Tolk ODU VMASC, USAF Joint Synthetic Battlespace (JSB) Analysis of Technical Alternatives (ATA) Study, Hanscomb AFB, 7 November 2003. 35 pages. Technical report and slideset available online.
•  Technical Report: X3D.    Web-based 3D Graphics Rendering of Dynamic Deformation Structures in Large-Scale Distributed Simulations, Donald P. Brutzman, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey California USA, 30 November 2003. 209 pages. Abstract, poster and technical report available online.
•  Technical Report: XTC.    XML-based Tactical Chat (XTC): Requirements, Capabilities and Preliminary Progress, Don Brutzman, Don McGregor, Daniel A. DeVos and Chin Siong Lee with Saundra Amsden, Curtis Blais, Duane Davis, Dimitrios Filiagos and Brian Hittner. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey California USA, 30 November 2003. 160 pages. Abstract, poster, connection instructions and technical report available online.

Calendar: Upcoming

• 2004 SISO Spring Interoperability Workshop (SIW), 18-23 April 2004, Crystal City, Washington DC USA
• WWW 2004, May 17-22 2004, New York City, NY.
• Military Operations Research Society (MORS) Symposium, June 22-24 2004, Monterey California USA.
• MOVES Institute Open House, August 23-27 2004, Monterey California USA.
• I/ITSEC, December 6-9 2004, Orlando Florida USA.

Calendar: Previous

• Web3D 2004 Symposium, 5-8 April 2004, Monterey California USA
• C2IEDM Workshop, March 30-April 1 2004, George Mason University (GMU), Fairfax Virginia USA
• December 1-4 2003, Orlando Florida. I/ITSEC: Interservice/Industry, Simulation and Education Conference.
  • Please visit us! Booths 575 (MOVES/GMU), 669 (DMSO/SAIC), 831 (SAIC), 931 (ODU/VMASC)
  • Invitation and demo lineup
  • Project posters
  • X3D XMSF tutorial (25 MB)
  • XMSF events schedule
  • XML Tactical Chat: Setting Up a Jabber Client
• October 27-30 2003, Reston Virginia. WebSim: Establishing a Global Technical Agenda for Web-Enabled Simulation. Cosponsored by Object Management Group, Open GIS Consortium (OGC), Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO) and Web3D Consortium.
  Special XMSF-related presentations include:
  • Tutorial: XMSF and X3D by Don Brutzman
  • Web-Based Modeling & Simulation and the Web3D Consortium by Alan Hudson, Vice President Web3D and President, Yumetech Inc.
  • Current Capabilities: XMSF Enterprise and Visualization Perspectives by Andreas Tolk and Don Brutzman
• September 14-19 2003, Orlando Florida: Fall Simulation Interoperability Workshop (SIW)
• August 25-29 2003, Karlsruhe Germany: SIGCOMM 2003
• August 5-7 2003, NPS Monterey California: MOVES Open House
• August 4 2003, NPS Monterey California: XMSF Coordination Workshop at MOVES Open House
  • Review of JFCOM Exercise results
  • Strategic technical planning for IITSEC 2004 Web Services demonstrations
  • Other projects and participants:
    • Transformational Vision of M&S: Meeting a New Analytical Agenda (LCDR Phil Pournell USN, N81)
• July 27-31 2003, San Diego California: SIGGRAPH 2003. X3D course, Web3D Consortium meeting, and an XMSF meeting to discuss formation of a Web3D Working Group.
• July 23-25 2003, JFCOM/ODU Suffolk Virginia: Distributed Continuous Experimentation Environment (DCEE) Initial Connectivity Test (ICT).
• June 16-18 2003, Stockholm Sweden: Summer 2003 European Simulation Interoperability Workshop (Euro-SIW)
• May 20-24 2003, WWW 2003, Budapest Hungary.
• May 15 2003, ODU VMASC, Suffolk Virginia: XMSF Opportunities (with JFCOM & other candidate sponsors/adopters).
• March 30-April 4 2003, Hyatt Hotel, Orlando Florida: Spring Simulation Interoperability Workshop (SIW)
  • Panel: Applicability of Open Standards to enhance Simulation Interoperability
    • Welcome (Andreas Tolk, VMASC)
    • Using Web-Standards for Interoperable Simulations (Don Brutzman, NPS)
    • Open GIS and its role for M&S (Jeff Harrison, Open GIS Consortium)
    • What is the role of OMG? (Andreas Tolk, VMASC)
    • Applying the MDA for M&S (Mark Rheinlander, CALYTRIX)
    • Open Discussion
  • Meeting: XMSF Birds of a Feather (BOF), Monday 7-8:30 p.m. right after the all SISO social.
    • Definition, Motivation, Precepts
    • Events to Date
    • Collaboration & Liaison
    • The Road Forward
    • Technical Discussions
    • XMSF Profiles
    • Web Services
    • Open Discussion
• March 9-12 2003, St. Malo France: Web3D Symposium. X3D tutorials and an XMSF brief.
• Early Adopters' Workshop, February 7 2003, SAIC McLean Virginia
• December 2-5 2002, Orlando Florida. I/ITSEC: Interservice/Industry, Simulation and Education Conference.
  • IITSEC 2002 XMSF Press-Release Brochure
  • XMSF partners presented a series of Web-based simulation exemplar demonstrations.
  • Booth layout for student demonstrations. Also available: show floor.
  • Collaborating with us on site: Planet 9 Studios, VCom3D Inc. and Yumetech Inc.
  • During IITSEC there were two discusssion meetings for interested XMSF Early Adopters.

  Monday December 2nd, 1300-1500	Tutorial: X3D and Virtual Environments for the Web by Don Brutzman and Curt Blais. Room 209 A-C. Continuing-education credit offered by IITSEC to course participants. Included 4-minute demo presentations by several prominent X3D companies: Planet 9 Studios, VCom3D and Yumetech.
  Monday December 2nd, 1300-1500	Introduction to DoD/Military Simulations by Mikel D. Petty, CAPT John A. Sokolowski, USN (Ret.) and Andreas Tolk
  Monday December 2nd, 1400-1800 and daily through Thursday December 5, 1500 close.	Exhibits Open, Booth 120 NPS and Booth 1340 DMSO. Halls A4-B3, Level Two.
  Tuesday December 3rd and Wednesday December 4th, 1800-1900	XMSF Early-Adopter Collaboration Opportunities. "Government" Room 307CD.
  Wednesday December 4th, 0630.	IITSEC Fun Run, The Pointe Orlando (opposite Convention Center).
  Wednesday December 4th 1530-1700	Runner-up for Best Paper Award: Emerging Web-Based 3D Graphics for Education and Experimentation, Curtis Blais, Don Brutzman, Jeffrey Weekley, and LT James Harney USN, Naval Postgraduate School. Session EC-5, Room 304 G-H.
  Thursday December 5nd, 1500.	Exhibits Close.

• September 11 2002, Orlando Florida, Fall 2002 Simulation Interoperability Workshop (SIW), C⁴I session: XMSF Overview
• September 6 2002, GMU Fairfax Virginia: XMSF Strategic Opportunities Symposium
• August 19-20 2002, NPS Monterey California: XMSF Technical Challenges Workshop

Technical Challenges Workshop 2002

The initial XMSF Technical Challenges Workshop was organized to examine the following proposal: whether Web-based technologies might be applied for all forms of Modeling & Simulation.

The workshop was held 19-20 August 2002 at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey California, just prior to the NPS MOVES Open House.

The Workshop Agenda (.pdf), early-draft Workshop White Paper and Workshop Participants list our goals, methodology and attendees.

The following briefings and white papers were presented.

• Web/XML
• Internet/networking
• Modeling & Simulation

Strategic Opportunities Symposium 2002

The XMSF Strategic Opportunities Symposium 2002 was organized to report back the successful results of the XMSF Technical Challenges Workshop. We asked key program managers and warfighter advocates to present their views on the strategic opportunities provided by XMSF.

The Symposium was held 6 September 2002 at George Mason University (GMU) in Fairfax Virginia.

The Symposium Agenda and Symposium Announcement (.pdf) list our goals, methodology and attendees. Also available: Symposium Attendees.

The following Symposium briefings were presented in response to the XMSF Technical Challenges Workshop report.

Early Adopters Workshop, February 2003

The XMSF Early Adopters Workshop was held February 7 2003 at the SAIC Towers Conference Center, McLean Virginia. Agenda and Workshop Announcement (.pdf) list our goals, methodology and attendees. From the agenda:

The primary goal of the Early Adopters' Workshop is to commence collaborative activities on XMSF implementations. The Workshop will be informational and will serve to bootstrap new activities. Attendees are encouraged to prepare short briefings on programs that will benefit from XMSF, and technology and technology applications suitable for inclusion in XMSF. The focus of the Workshop is on getting early XMSF implementations into prototypes for future systems.

XMSF JFCOM Workshop, May 2003

Three dozen people met 15 May 2003 to discuss XMSF approaches to a joint-forces exercise this summer. Dr. Andreas Tolk (atolk at odu.edu) served as host.

Maintainer: Don Brutzman (brutzman at nps.navy.mil)
Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for this home page is http://www.MovesInstitute.org/xmsf
(30 August 2004) (official disclaimer)