Goal-directed data integration for sonar picture compilation

Discusses a decision aid for managing data integration resources within a sonar picture compilation system. The system design is based on goal-directed data integration, which is the concept that data integration will be most effective if it is used to solve specific problems detected during the process of building the sonar picture. Under the goal-directed data integration framework, the process of sonar picture compilation is decomposed into a task hierarchy, with the successful completion of each task being considered to be a goal. A blackboard-based control structure is employed for prioritizing unsatisfied goals, planning sequences of data integration operations to satisfy each selected goal, and monitoring the execution of active plans. It is also demonstrated that the goal-directed representation provides a natural user interface for high-level operator control of data integration processing. Examples are presented for a passive sonar sensor and goals related to signal tracking tasks.