Semantic and Syntactic Object Correlation in the Object-Oriented Method for Interoperability

Interoperability is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Unfortunately, differences in data representation between various systems greatly complicates the task of achieving interoperability. Young’s Object-Oriented Method for Interoperability (OOMI) describes a model-based, computer-aided methodology for resolving modeling differences among heterogeneous systems in order to enable system interoperability. The OOMI architecture and tool suite provide a high level of automation that will reduce the labor and complexity of integrating heterogeneous systems into a cooperative system of systems (federation of systems). The Component Model Correlation process in the OOMI architecture describes a methodology to correlate a component system’s model of a real-world entity to the federation model of the same real-world entity. Once a correspondence is established, the OOMI tool suite facilitates the construction of wrapper-based translations between the component model and the federation model. These translations are then used in a run-time translator to enable interoperation between the federation of systems. This thesis describes the Component Model Correlation methodology and presents a prototype Component Model Correlator that assists an Interoperability Engineer in determining component model correspondence.