An automated approach to Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) protocol entity development

• Main Author: Canterbury, Michael G.
• Other Authors: Zyda, Michael J.
• Language: en_US
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School 2013
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/35118

One problem associated with the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) architecture is its limited ability to support real time, simulated engagements of more than 1000 entities. To solve this problem, it is necessary to refine the existing DIS protocol and optimize the form and content of DIS network traffic. Fundamental to this solution is the need to (1) adopt a structured grammar to be used in describing the protocol, (2) provide a means to author and edit refined DIS data elements, and (3) expedite the coding and implementation of related protocol improvements. In simple terms, the problem addressed by this thesis is to meet each of these requisite needs. The approach was to design and build a protocol development tool. This was accomplished in three phases. First, a modified Backus Naur Form (BNF) grammar was formulated for use in modeling DIS data elements. Next, this grammar was applied to the Protocol Data Units (PDU) and data types specified in the current DIS standard. Finally, a tool, the DIS Protocol Support Utility, was developed as a means to automate the process of authoring, editing, and implementing refinements to the DIS protocol. As a result of this effort, the data elements depicted in the current DIS standard have been specified using a BNF- Irke grammar. The Protocol Support Utility has been used to process this grammar and automatically generate the program source code associated with each data element, thus expediting the protocol development process.