Reusing a Simulation Facility Software Architecture for Embedded Simulation

Abstract

The authors take a ground vehicle simulation software architecture, which was designed for stationary simulation in crewstations in a laboratory environment, and reuse it to add embedded simulation capabilities to fielded ground vehicles. The purpose of embedded simulation is to enhance soldier effectiveness both before and during actual battlefield conditions. As a result, in a fielded ground vehicle, the computer specialist responsible for setting up, starting, controlling, monitoring, and stopping the simulation is not present. Unlike in a laboratory environment, in a fielded vehicle, the simulation software itself is responsible for performing these functions. The authors provide a case study illustrating characteristics of a system architecture that allow it to be long-lived by evolving not only to changing requirements due to technological and methodological changes but also to changes due to new and previously unthought-of patterns of system utilization.