Ontology Applied – Techniques employing Ontological Representation for M & S

Several papers already presented to SISO have done a lot to forward the idea that the development of formal ontologies is important to simulation interoperability, especially where semantic and conceptual interoperability is a desired result. The case for value in capturing a formal ontology has been made [Tolk and Blais, 05S-SIW-007], a definition of a formal ontology has been presented [Turnitsa and Tolk, 05E-SIW-045], a method for extracting and evaluating the apparent formal ontology of an existing data model has been presented [Turnitsa and Tolk, 05F-SIW084] and also the value of a formal ontology within a specific domain [Goerger, Blais, Gates, Nagle, 06S-SIW-044] In an attempt to connect these existing ideas, and to show a way ahead out of the confusing arguments of what a formal ontology should be and how it should be captured, this paper will show a roadmap towards developing applications based on ontological research for two areas. First, a technique showing how a static information model based on a formal ontology can help in system development and system planning. Second, a technique showing how a dynamic information translation system, again based on a formal ontology, can help in system-to-system conceptual interchange. These two techniques are presented in terms of the spectrum of ontological representation strata, as well as a framework for classifying types of ontology applications. The SISO related work of C-BML, MSDL, and SEDRIS will be used as case examples.