LCIM - Levels of Conceptual Interoperability Model

Nice article in wikipedia on the subject

If you have military simulations how can these simulations take in other parts that can be composed reliably and expectantly.

Unlike software interfaces where behavior could be different while contracts stay the same, in this case there may be a need for an identical behavior.

One question to answer is are the systems "interoperable"

There are 7 levels starting at "0"

Level 0 - isolated and no connectivity

Level 1 - connected but different data formats

Level 2 - Same data format (or same syntax)

So far these levels assure "integration"

Level 3 - meaning of data is the same - semantic

Level 4 - Behavior of the system is understood based on data

Level 5 - The side affects of behavior over time is understood

Search for: Level 6 of LCIM

The original paper on LCIM (pdf)

"Meaningful interoperability? of simulation systems requires composable models on the conceptual level

Search for: what is SRML?

The paper I have mentioned above is a "great" paper. Read it if you can.