Semantic Web Applications for
Modeling and Simulation
Lee W. Lacy
Dynamics Research Corporation
Captain Joel Pawloski
U.S. Army TRAC-M
TRAC-Monterey
July 11, 2001
DMSO Technical Exchange Meeting
Agenda
Dynamics Research Corporation
•
•
•
•
•
•
Web Technology Evolution
XML M&S Applications
U.S. Army TRAC-M XML Research
Semantic Web Background
DARPA Semantic Web Research
Potential Semantic Web M&S and C4I
Applications
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
The Evolving Web
Dynamics Research Corporation
Web of
Knowledge
Proof, Logic and
Ontology Languages
(e.g., DAML+OIL)
Shared terms/terminology
Machine-Machine
communication
2010
Resource Description Framework (RDF)
eXtensible Markup Language (XML)
HyperText Markup Language
(HTML)
HyperText Transfer Protocol
(HTTP)
Self-Describing Documents
2000
Formatted Documents
Foundation of the Current Web
1990
Based on Berners-Lee, Hendler; Nature, 2001
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Enabled standard communication of content combined
with format
• Loosely defined specific (limited) grammar specified using
SGML (specific language)
• Started by Tim Berners-Lee
• Standardized by World-Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
• Ubiquitous method of presenting and communicating data
• Used throughout DoD on both public internet and
SIPRNET and other classified networks
• Not useful for machine search
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
eXtensible Markup Language (XML)
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Separates content from format (standard syntax)
• Simplified version of SGML (metalanguage) for defining
eXtensible tag sets
• Started by Tim Bray et al based on conversations with Tim
Berners-Lee
• Standardized by W3C
• Used to define updated HTML grammar (XHTML)
• Used in Modeling and Simulation community primarily for
Data Interchange Formats (DIFs) that support data sharing
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
XML DIF Method
Dynamics Research Corporation
ModSAF
Janus
XML-based
Data Interchange
File (DIF)
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
CCTT
M&S and C4I use of XML
Dynamics Research Corporation
• HLA Data Interchange Formats (DIFs)
• JSIMS Common Component Workstation Battlespace
Schema
• Combat XXI Scenario Files
• OneSAF Objective System
• Land Warrior User Interface Specifications
• Joint C4ISR Integration Facility (JCIF) Joint Battlespace
Infosphere (JBI) XML Assessment
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Specific U.S. Army M&S XML
Research Initiatives
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Military Scenario Definition Language (MSDL)
• Computer Generated Forces (CGF) Behaviors
• Equipment Characteristics and Performance (C&P)
TRAC-Monterey
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
MSDL Objectives
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Support Scenario Developers
– Improve Scenario Quality
– Reduce Time to Develop Scenarios
– Reduce Costs of Developing Scenarios
• Support Scenario Generation Tool Developers
– Reduce Tool Development Costs
– Improve Tool Interoperability
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Scenario Content Analysis
Dynamics Research Corporation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Metadata
Environment
Organization
Simulation Object
Information Item
Events
Unassigned
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
MSDL Standard
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Initial work reviewed by Combat XXI
• Combat XXI enhancements merged into Army Modeling
and Simulation Office (AMSO) Standards Nomination and
Approval Process (SNAP) submission
• SNAP submission serving as starting point for OneSAF
Objective System (OOS)
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
MSDL Schema
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Defined using XML
DTD and XML Schema
• Sample scenarios
marked up
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
CGF Behaviors
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Computer Generated Forces (CGF) systems simulate units
and platforms
• CGF systems operate at a variety of fidelity and resolution
levels
• Behaviors historically “hard coded”
• Newer systems represent behaviors in data
• Considerable resources required to develop CGF systems
and their associated behaviors
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Current CGF Systems
Dynamics Research Corporation
ModSAF
CCTT
•Ada Finite State
Machines
•Asynchronous
Augmented Finite State
Machines (translated
into “C” code)
WARSIM
•Behavioral Description
Frames
•Fundamental Behaviors
(C++ code)
Today’s CGF systems are built in a stove-piped manner
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
“Perfect World” Behavior Sharing
Dynamics Research Corporation
System
#1
System
#3
System
#2
Behaviors
Represented in
Common Language
Using XML
System
#4
In a perfect world, we’d all speak the
same language
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
CGF Behavioral Representation Logical
Data Model Components
Dynamics Research Corporation
Behavior Specification
Logical Data Model Components
Knowledge Representation
Constructs
Declarative
Complexity
Metadata
Procedural
Strategic
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
SIMTECH Demonstration
Dynamics Research Corporation
OTB
AMSAA
Equipment
Characteristics and
Performance Data
in XML
NGIC
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Combat
XXI
Explicit vs. Metamodel Schemas
Dynamics Research Corporation
• XML DTD and/or XML Schema design often involves
decisions over the use of explicit tags or representation of
names in data
– <maxspeed units=“mph”>45</maxspeed> vs.
– <parameter>
<name>maxspeed</name>
<units>mph</units>
<value>45</value>
</parameter>
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Semantic Problems for XML
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Synonymy and polysemy
– <PERSON> vs. <INDIVIDUAL>
– is <SPIDER> an arachnid or software?
• Structural differences
– <PERSON><NAME>Lee Lacy</NAME><PERSON> vs.
– <PERSON><NAME>
<FNAME>Lee</FNAME>
<LNAME>Lacy</LNAME>
</NAME></PERSON>
Based on Hendler, 2001
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Resource Description Framework (RDF)
Dynamics Research Corporation
• RDF data consists of nodes and attached attribute/value
pairs
– Nodes can be any web resources
– Attributes are named properties of nodes
– Values are either atomic (text strings, numbers, etc.) or other
resources or metadata instances
• Supports labeled directed graphs
• XML used as graph serialization syntax for storing and
communicating RDF instances
• Provides basic ontological primitives
– Classes and relations (properties)
– Class (and property) hierarchy
– RDF triples assert facts about resources
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Why RDF Is Not Enough
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Expressive inadequacy
– Only range/domain constraints (on properties)
– No properties of properties (unique, transitive, inverse
etc.)
– No equivalence, disjointness, coverings etc.
– No necessary and sufficient conditions (for class
membership)
• Poorly (un) defined semantics
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Semantic Web (SW)
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Provides agent-readable descriptions of data,
information, and knowledge
• Built on top of XML and RDF
• Envisioned by Tim Berners-Lee and researched by
DARPA team and others
• W3C is beginning a Semantic Web initiative
• Used to define ontologies and associated instance
data
• Huge potential for Modeling and Simulation
community
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
What is an Ontology?
Dynamics Research Corporation
Catalog/
ID
Thesauri
“narrower
term”
relation
Informal
is-a
Terms/
glossary
TAXONOMY
Frames General
Formal
is-a (properties) Logical
constraints
Formal
instance
Disjointness,
Value Inverse, partRestrs. of…
ONTOLOGY
Based on McGuinness, 2001:
http://www.daml.org/2001/06/swday-ontologies/Ontologies-talk-060401_files/frame.htm
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Beyond XML:Agent Semantics
Dynamics Research Corporation
• DARPA developing an Agent Markup
Language (DAML)
– A “semantic” language that ties the
information on a page to machine readable
semantics (ontology)
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
DARPA DAML Research Team
Dynamics Research Corporation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
BBN
Booz-Allen and Hamilton
Cycorp
Dynamics Research
Corporation (DRC)
GRCI
Lockheed Martin
Management and Data
Systems
SRI
Teknowledge
• Carnegie Melon
University
• University of Southern
California Information
Sciences Institute
• MIT (W3C)
• Stanford University
• UMBC
• University of West Florida
• Yale University
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Benefits
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Standard representation of “object-oriented” concepts
across the web
• Extensibility of ontologies through namespaces
• Support for complex queries involving “semantic joins”
over multiple data sets
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
A new/old model of DoD partnering
Dynamics Research Corporation
DARPA:
www.semanticweb.org
Research efforts:
 Funds a new
SHOE
OIL
EC OntoWeb
generation of www
technology
Intl Workshops
 Works closely with
W3C to create a web
standard
 Works closely with EU
on international
acceptance
 Brings DoD users
(J2,J3,J6) in as early
adopters
Semantic Web Res. (EU)
EU W3C
Members/directors
(Dan Brickley, coord)
Tools
US/EU Joint
Efforts
(S. Decker,
Coord)
Lang Spec
RDF
C2 link
Demos
Horus
RDF-S
XML
W3C
www.w3.org/RDF/
DAML-ONT
DAML-LOGIC
Ctr for Army
Lessons Learned
www.daml.org
Based on Hendler, 2001
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
DAML
Layered Architecture
Dynamics Research Corporation
DAML+OIL
DC
XHTML
HTML
SMIL
RDF(S)
XML(S)
Based on Horrocks, 2001: http://www.cs.man.ac.uk/~horrocks/Slides/
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
PICS
DAML Status
Dynamics Research Corporation
• DAML+OIL ontology language released on World Wide
Web
– Annotated “walkthrough”
– Examples
– Full definition
• RDFS = Resource Description Framework Schema
• Provides 100% mapping to XML
– Open discussion group run by W3C: www-rdf-logic@w3.prg
– Denotational (and axiomatic) Semantics published
• First formal semantics for a web language
– Proposal to W3C for standardization ongoing
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
www.DAML.org
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Language Specifications
• DAML Newsletter (you can
subscribe)
• Collection of web tools
• Ontology library
– 157 ontologies as of July 9, 2001
• DAML crawler
– over 14,000 pages w/2,000,000+
DAML statements, 5/15/01
• Web tracking software used for
baselining DAML use
– Over 500,000 hits in first 6 months
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
DAML Military Examples
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Army CALL Thesaurus
• Army Equipment (based on WARSIM Equipment
Knowledge Acquisition Tool schema)
• Military task lists (e.g., UJTL) – under development
• Army CALL University After Next (UAN) Warrior
Knowledge Network (WKN) Human Intelligence
(HUMINT) interrogation procedure representation – just
started
• Intelink (DIA) HUMINT report representation – small
sample developed – currently extending
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
CALL Thesaurus Ontology
Dynamics Research Corporation
Term
Legand
name
domain
descriptorFor
CALL
Term
range & domain
RT
subClassOf
inverseOf
preferred
TermFor
entry
TermFor
subPropertyOf
BT
NT
ACK
AF
USE
UF
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Military Equipment Ontology
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Army Military Equipment Characteristic & Performance
(C&P) Ontology
• Provides framework to compose Army equipment from the
System Unit to individual component (i.e., radio) level
• Ontology is modeled after data model used by WARSIM
and that housed by the FDB (Functional Description of the
Battlespace)
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
DAML Query Demonstration
Dynamics Research Corporation
Semantic web DAML Demonstration
• Uses Call Thesaurus and Military Equipment C&P
ontologies and data to demonstrate the potential of the
semantic web
Demonstration is composed of:
• Thesaurus Lookup Term
• Military Equipment Lookup
• Complex query involving multiple ontologies by using
thesaurus lookup results to find military equipment terms
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
DAML Query Demonstration
Dynamics Research Corporation
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
HUMINT Report Representation
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Unclassified Force Protection Sample HUMINT
report provided
• Classes identified included:
–
–
–
–
–
Organization, Person (who)
Activity, Event (what)
Timeframe (when)
Location Area (where)
Conclusion (why)
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Intelligence Report Ontology
Intelligence
Report
conclusion
metadata
event
Organization
Conclusion
partOf
Metadata
conclusionEvent
subclassOf
describedAs
Person
Description
memberOf
Terrorist
Organization
Person
source
locatedIn
Location
Area
Equipment
locatedIn
subclassOf
drivenBy
Building
Vehicle
subclassOf
Automobile
within
regarding
Event
Note
Subject,
directObject,
indirectObject,
source
Activity
subclassOf
Country
Timeframe
resultedIn
Subject
directObject
indirectObject
subclassOf
Motorcycle
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
timeframe
Ontology Design Issue
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Explicit description of classes vs. encoding of information
as data
• Explicit definition:
– Requires extensive maintenance of ontology
– Supports complex queries
• Encoding:
– Requires companion encoding standard (e.g., DIS enumeration
document, SEDRIS environmental data coding specification)
• Decision will be made on case-by-case basis with
sponsor’s goals paramount but will affect usefulness of
cross-ontology “joins”
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Potential Encoding Sources
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Events:
–
–
–
–
–
Fineberg Verb Taxonomy
Kansas Event Data System (KEDS)
World Events Interaction Survey (WEIS) Codes
BML operations / tasks
UJTL / service task lists
• Things:
– FDMS taxonomy
– DIS Enumeration Document
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Potential M&S Applications of Semantic
Web Technologies
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Human Behavior Representation (e.g., CHRIS)
• Glossaries / Taxonomies / Thesauri (e.g., CSS)
• CGF Behavior Development (e.g., TRAC-M research
effort)
• Knowledge Acquisition (e.g., FDMS)
• METL development (e.g., JTIMS)
• Scenario Development (e.g., MSDL)
• Unit Order of Battle (e.g., UOB DAT)
• Data Provisioning (e.g., AMSO SIMTECH effort)
• HLA FEDEP Tool Architecture (e.g., DIFs)
• Web Services (e.g., fly-out model responsibility)
• AAR / logger data
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
CSS Thoughts
Dynamics Research Corporation
• DMSO CSS provides definitions, unlike Army CALL
thesaurus
• DAML thesaurus ontology based on ANSI standard for
representing thesauri information
• CSS validated and traceable to Authoritative Data Sources
(ADSs)
• DAML thesauri ontology could be extended to support
definitions and ADS traceability
• CSS could be “ported” to semantic web instance data
• Once represented as SW content, terms can be manipulated
using standard SW tools and other M&S-related SW
applications can link to terms
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Battle Management Language
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Standard verbiage or vocabulary used by simulation
programmers or workstation controllers to describe
planning and executing military functions currently
performed by human controllers
• Key factors supporting automated Course of Action (COA)
analysis:
–
–
–
–
–
Unit identification (who)
Operation / Task (what)
Operation time (when)
Operation location (where)
Operation purpose / mission (why)
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
BML Thoughts
Dynamics Research Corporation
• BML User’s Guide Annex A contains CSS-like
definitions
• Value of BML is in knowledge representation
structure developed (i.e., units, timeframe, etc.)
and specified vocabulary (i.e., User’s Guide
Annex A)
• BML KR structure could be used as the basis for
an ontology for orders
• BML vocabulary could be migrated into ontology
instance data similarly to CSS
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Preliminary BML Order Ontology
Dynamics Research Corporation
partOf
Unit
Task
layedOutIn
performs
performs
supports
Operation takesPlaceAt
Formation
arrangedAt
Location
takesPlaceWithin
Timeframe
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Summary
Dynamics Research Corporation
• Web technology continues to evolve
• XML is being used for M&S applications
• Semantic Web technologies emerging that provide
potential solutions to DoD M&S challenges
• Research and proof-of-concept demonstrations
needed to show benefits
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY
Dynamics Research Corporation
Questions?
Lee Lacy
LLacy@DRC.com
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THROUGH PEOPLE, PROCESSES, AND TECHNOLOGY