Tactical Information System Fusion Engine Communication Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tactical information systems (TIS) lack effective communication protocols for interoperability between the fusion engine and other subsystems, particularly in handling unique communication needs of the fusion engine for coordinated operations.
Innovation Solution
A subsystem of the TIS with a processor configured to receive and parse standardized entity messages from automatic target recognition (ATR) systems, provide information to a fusion algorithm for processing, and generate fused target information, using an enhanced standardized protocol compliant with the UAS Command and Control Initiative (UCI) for communication with other subsystems, including an internal interface with the fusion algorithm and an external interface for standardized message exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional communication methods are used between fusion engine and subsystems, then system complexity is reduced, but interoperability and coordination capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The communication interface is segmented into distinct functional modules: a message receiver that accepts standardized messages from external subsystems, a message parser that extracts relevant information, a fusion processor that performs data fusion operations, and a message generator that creates standardized output messages. This segmentation allows each module to handle specific communication tasks independently, improving interoperability while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The fusion engine acts as an intermediary between multiple ATR subsystems and the broader TIS architecture. It receives standardized messages from various subsystems, processes the information through fusion algorithms, and generates standardized responses. This intermediary role enables different subsystems with unique communication needs to coordinate effectively through a common standardized interface, enhancing interoperability without requiring complex point-to-point communication protocols between all subsystems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standardized messages are used for communication, then interoperability improves, but information loss increases due to standardization constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized message format is designed to be universal and multi-functional, capable of carrying various types of target information from different ATR subsystems through a common structure. The messages include flexible fields that can accommodate diverse data types while maintaining a consistent standardized format, enabling broad interoperability without sacrificing essential information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs parameter changes in the message structure to adapt to different information requirements. The standardized messages include configurable parameters and fields that can be adjusted based on the specific fusion processing needs, allowing the same standardized format to convey different levels of information detail while maintaining interoperability across subsystems.
Data Source
AI summary
A subsystem of a tactical information system is provided that includes a memory configured to store instructions and a processor disposed in communication with the memory. The processor, upon execution of the instructions is configured to receive first standardized entity messages that include target information from multiple automatic target recognition (ATR) systems, parse the first standardized entity messages to extract the target information, provide the extracted target information to a fusion algorithm for fusion processing that determines whether to fuse the target information from different ATR systems and fuses the extracted target information to generate fused target information about a single target when determined to do so, receive fused target information about the single target, if any, from the fusion algorithm, and generate a second standardized entity message that includes the fused target information about the single target.