Calhoun: The NPS Institutional Archive Theses and Dissertations Thesis Collection 2003-09 Interoperability, data control and battlespace visualization using XML, XSLT and X3D Neushul, James D. Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School http://hdl.handle.net/10945/6290 MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA THESIS INTEROPERABILITY, DATA CONTROL AND BATTLESPACE VISUALIZATION USING XML, XSLT AND X3D by James D. Neushul September 2003 Thesis Advisor: Don Brutzman Second Reader: Curtis L. Blais Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instruction, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202- 4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0188) Washington DC 20503. 1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) 2. REPORT DATE 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED September 2003 Master’s Thesis 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE: 5. FUNDING NUMBERS Interoperability, Data Control and Battlespace Visualization using XML, XSLT and X3D 6. AUTHOR James D. Neushul 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION Naval Postgraduate School REPORT NUMBER Monterey, CA 93943-5000 9. SPONSORING /MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND 10. SPONSORING/MONITORING ADDRESS(ES) AGENCY REPORT NUMBER Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego California (SSC San Diego) 11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES The views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government. 12a. DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENT 12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. A 13. ABSTRACT This work represents the realization of Network-Centric goals of interoperability, information management, systems integration and cohesive battlespace visualization using networked computer technology. The application of structured data methodologies using the Extensible Markup Language (XML) allows organizations and systems to exchange and process battlespace information cooperatively. The practical application of this technology is demonstrated. Governance of information systems using structured data and the rejection of proprietary, application specific solutions is a leadership responsibility that is defined as Data Control. XML is presented as a leadership control measure that can be used to achieve Network-Centricity on the battlefield. The fundamental principles of XML application development are presented in the context of warfighting. Exemplars address a cross-section of battlespace applications. The visualization of the physical battlefield is demonstrated with network delivered 3D terrain views. Geodesy and position reporting is addressed using an XML defined data structure to enforce interoperability. An XML expression of the Battlespace Generic Hub is applied to joint and multilateral interoperability and information exchange. An approach to the effective employment of multiple different, but cooperative, autonomous systems in the battlespace uses XML to define parameters that determine artificial intelligence multi-agent behavior and environmental factors. This thesis combines a critical analysis of the priorities of Network-Centricity and interoperability with practical and functional exemplars that demonstrate the efficacy of extensible architectures. The pragmatic approach is directed at the warfighter, and leadership challenges are identified. 14. SUBJECT TERMS 15. NUMBER OF Extensible Markup Language, XML, Extensible 3D Graphics, X3D, Extensible Stylesheet PAGES Language for Transformation, XSLT, XML Schema, Interoperability, Battlespace Visualization, 197 Command and Control, Data Control, Digital Terrain Elevation Data(DTED), Geodesy, Position 16. PRICE CODE Reporting, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Multi-Agent Systems, Battlespace Generic Hub, Land Command and Control Information Exchange Data Model, LC2IEDM, ATCCIS, Network- Centric Warfare, Java, Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework, XMSF, MOVES, SAVAGE 17. SECURITY 18. SECURITY 19. SECURITY 20. LIMITATION OF CLASSIFICATION OF CLASSIFICATION OF THIS CLASSIFICATION OF ABSTRACT REPORT PAGE ABSTRACT Unclassified Unclassified Unclassified UL NSN 7540-01-280-5500 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 2-89) Prescribed by ANSI Std. 239-18 i THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK ii Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. INTEROPERABILITY, DATA CONTROL AND BATTLESPACE VISUALIZATION USING XML, XSLT AND X3D James D. Neushul Captain, United States Marine Corps B.A., University of California at Santa Barbara, 1996 Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE from the NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL September 2003 Author: James D. Neushul Approved by: Don Brutzman Thesis Advisor Curtis L. Blais Second Reader/Co-Advisor Peter Denning Chair, Department of Computer Science iii THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK iv ABSTRACT This work represents the realization of Network-Centric goals of interoperability, information management, systems integration and cohesive battlespace visualization using networked computer technology. The application of structured data methodologies using the Extensible Markup Language (XML) allows organizations and systems to exchange and process battlespace information cooperatively. The practical application of this technology is demonstrated. Governance of information systems using structured data and the rejection of proprietary, application specific solutions is a leadership responsibility that is defined as Data Control. XML is presented as a leadership control measure that can be used to achieve Network-Centricity on the battlefield. The fundamental principles of XML application development are presented in the context of warfighting. Exemplars address a cross-section of battlespace applications. The visualization of the physical battlefield is demonstrated with network delivered 3D terrain views. Geodesy and position reporting is addressed using an XML defined data structure to enforce interoperability. An XML expression of the Battlespace Generic Hub is applied to joint and multilateral interoperability and information exchange. An approach to the effective employment of multiple different, but cooperative, autonomous systems in the battlespace uses XML to define parameters that determine artificial intelligence multi-agent behavior and environmental factors. This thesis combines a critical analysis of the priorities of Network- Centricity and interoperability with practical and functional exemplars that demonstrate the efficacy of extensible architectures. The pragmatic approach is directed at the warfighter, and leadership challenges are identified. v THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK vi TABLE OF CONTENTS I. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................ 1 A. OVERVIEW..................................................................................................... 1 B. THESIS ORGANIZATION ............................................................................ 2 II. BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................... 5 A. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................ 5 B. PROBLEM SPACE........................................................................................ 5 C. OVERVIEW..................................................................................................... 8 1. Leadership ......................................................................................... 8 2. Application-Specific Software ....................................................10 3. Data-Centric Software...................................................................11 4. Semantic Logic ...............................................................................12 6. Validation..........................................................................................13 7. Common Operating Environment (COE) .................................13 8. Joint Mapping Tool Kit (JMTK)...................................................14 9. Innovation ........................................................................................15 10. Disruptive Technologies..............................................................16 11. Department of Defense Net-Centric Data Strategy ...............17 12. Voluntary Consensus Standards...............................................18 D. EMERGENT SOLUTIONS .........................................................................18 1. On the Job Vice Off the Shelf .....................................................18 2. Office Suites ....................................................................................19 3. Visualization of Physical Space.................................................20 4. Extensible 3D (X3D).......................................................................22