Demonstrating the capabilities of IEEE SIMICA standards in support of the DoD ATS framework in a net-centric maintenance environment

The Software Interface for Maintenance Information Collection and Analysis (SIMICA) is a family of IEEE standards that are consistent with the objectives of the automatic test system (ATS) Framework Working Group’s (FWG) [1] Maintenance Test Data and Services (MTDS) requirement of the U. S. Department of Defense (DoD). It has been developed by the Diagnostic Maintenance Committee (DMC) of IEEE SCC20. SIMICA, IEEE Std 1636 - 2009 [2], is an implementation independent specification for a software interface between information systems containing diagnosis and maintenance data. SIMICA addresses the collection, exchange, and analysis of the data. Two approved trial use standards were the focus of a demonstration which took place at AUTOTESTCON in 2010. This demonstration showed the utilization of these standards in the documentation of maintenance actions associated with the removal, repair, and replacement of system components required to maintain and support an operational system. The demonstration also showed utilization of the standards in the test results that allow for the recording of the test execution and observations. This paper outlines the processes and the application of the standards needed to share information in a net-centric environment and demonstrates this capability.