The author reviews the basic concepts and formalisms that have been developed as part of the Open Systems Interconnection effort. By applying these concepts to a specific application domain, in this case tactical C3I (command, control, communications, and intelligence), one may specify architectures which promote interoperability rather than just interconnectivity. A number of the key terms and concepts relevant to open and interoperable systems are defined. This is followed by a discussion of both the capabilities and the limitations of various pieces of open technologies (e.g. standards, profiles, PICS) and the role they play in satisfying the identified requirements. A process by which tactical interoperability requirements are identified and the content of an interoperable system architecture is specified
Date of Conference: 11-14 Oct 1992