GLOSSARY OF
MODELING AND SIMULATION (M&S) TERMS

DRAFT
29 August 1995


This document is a draft document in work. Please forward input to Mr. Jim Heusmann, the DMSO POC for the Glossary.
The Glossary can be downloaded from the M&S Policy section of the Document Library.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Part I, Abbreviations
A/ B/ C/ D/ E/ F/ G/ H/ I/ J/ K/ L/ M/ N/ O/ P/ Q/ R/ S/ T/ U/ V/ W/ X/ Y/ Z

Part II, Definitions
A/ B/ C/ D/ E/ F/ G/ H/ I/ J/ K/ L/ M/ N/ O/ P/ Q/ R/ S/ T/ U/ V/ W/ X/ Y/ Z

References



PART 1
ABBREVIATIONS


A

A2ATD		Anti-Armor Advanced Technology Demonstration
A/D		Analog/Digital
Aa		Achieved Availability
AAAV		Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle
AAIS		Advanced Airborne Interceptor Simulator
AAODL		Atmospheric Aerosols and Optics Data Library
AAP 		Advanced Acquisition Plan
AAS		Advanced Automation System
AASP		Army Automation Security Program
AATD		Army Advanced Technology Demonstration(s)
AATIS		Advanced Airborne Instrumentation System
ABCCC		Airborne Battlefield Command Control Center
ABCSIM		Atmospheric, Biological, and Chemical Simulation
ABE		ALSP Broadcast Emulator
ABS		Advanced Battle Simulation
ABU		Analog Backup
ACALS		Army Computer-aided Acquisition & Logistics Support
ACAT		Acquisition Category
ACCIS		Automated C2 Information System
ACCS		Army Command and Control System
ACDI		Asynchronous Communications Device Interface
ACEC		Army Communications-Electronics Command
ACEM		Air Combat Evaluation Model
ACETEF		Air Combat Environment Test and Evaluation Facility
ACM		ALSP Common Module
ACMI		Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation
ACMS		Air Combat Maneuvering Simulator
ACMS		Air Combat Maneuvering System
ACOM		U.S. Atlantic Command
ACPT		Automated Corporate Planning Tool
ACS		Access Control System
ACSIT		Aegis Combat System Interactive Trainer
ACSM		Assistant Chief of Staff for Information Management
ACT		Architecture Characterization Template
ACTD		Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration
ADA		Name (not acronym) of High Level Computer Programming Language
ADDS		Automated Data Distribution System
ADEPT		Administrative Data Entry for Processing Transmission
ADM		Acquisition Decision Memorandum
ADMD		Administrative Management Domain
ADMP		Army Data Management Program
ADP		Automatic Data Processing 
ADPA		American Defense Preparedness Association
ADPE		Automatic Data Processing Equipment 
ADPSO		Automatic Data Processing Security Officer
ADPSSEP		Automatic Data Processing System Security Enhancement Program 
ADPSSO		Automatic Data Processing System Security Officer 
ADRG		Archive Digital Raster Graphs
ADS		Advanced Distributed Simulation
ADS		Automated Data System
ADSIM		Air Defense Simulation
ADST		Advanced Distributed Simulation Technology
ADUA		Administrative Directory User Agent
AEGIS		Advanced Electronic Guided Interceptor System
AESAT		Avionics & Electrical Systems Advanced Trainer
AESOP		Army EMP Simulator Operations
AETS		Airborne Electronic Threat Simulator
AFAM		Air Force Acquisition Model
AFEWES		Air Force Electronic Warfare Environment Simulator
AFIN		Air Force Information Network
AFMSS		Air Force Mission Support System
AFNET		Air Force Network
AFS		Advanced Flight Simulator
AFSCN		Air Force Satellite Control Network
AFSPACECOM	Air Force Space Command
AFSPC		Air Force Space Command 
AFWG		Analysis Functional Working Group
AFOR		Automated Forces
AGCCS		Army Global Command and Control System
AGRMET		Agricultural Meteorological Model
AHP		Analytic Hierarchical Process
AHPCRC		Army High Performance Computing Research Center
AI		Artificial Intelligence
AID		AUTODIN Interface Device
AIN		Advanced Intelligent Network
AIRES		Automated Information Retrieval And Expert System
AIRFLOS		Air Flow Over Structures
AIS		Automated Information System
AISA-PAT	Automated Information Systems Accreditation PAT
AISSAP		Automatic Information System Security Assessment Program
AISSO		Automated Information System Security Officer
AITS		Advance Information Technology System
AJ or A/J	Anti-Jamming
AJPO		ADA DoD Joint Program Office (to promote ADA)
ALARM		Advance Low Altitude Radar Model
ALBAM		Air Land Battle Assessment Model
ALBE		Air Land Battlefield Environment
ALBM		Air Land Battle Management
ALECS		AFWL Los Alamos EMP Calibration and Simulation
ALERT		Attack and Launch Early Reporting to Theater
ALM		Airlift Loading Model
ALS		ADA language system
ALSP		Aggregate Level Simulation Protocol
AMES		Advanced Multiple Environment Simulator 
AMG		Architecture Management Group
AMHS		Automated Message Handling System
AMIP		Army Model Improvement Program
AMME		Automated Multi-Media Exchange
AMPE		Automated Message Processing Exchange
AMPES		Automatic Message Processing Exchange System 
AMPS		Advanced Mobile Phone System
AMPS		Automated Mission Planning System
AMSAA		Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity
AMSDL		Acquisition Management Systems and Data Requirements Control List
AMSEC		Army Model and Simulation Executive Council
AMSMC		Army Model and Simulation Master Catalog
AMSMO		Army Model and Simulation Management Office
AMSMP		Army Modeling and Simulation Management Program
ANDF		Application Neutral Data Format
ANS		Artificial Neural Systems
ANSI		American National Standards Institute
ANSI/SPAR	American National Standards Institute's Standards Planning
		 and Requirements Committee
Ao		operational availability
AOR		Area of Responsibility
APHIDS		Advanced Panoramic Helmet Interface Demonstrator System
API		Application Program Interface
APL		Applied Physics Laboratory
APL/JHU		Applied Physics Laboratory/Johns Hopkins University
APL/PSU		Applied Physics Laboratory/Penn State University
APL/UW		Applied Physics Laboratory/University of Washington
APMS		Automated Program Management Information System
APP		Application Portability Profile
APRF		Aberdeen Pulse Radiation Facility
APS		Asynchronous Protocol Specification
APSE		ADA Programming Support Environment
ARC		Advanced Research Center
ARES		Advanced Research Electromagnetic Simulator
ARGUS		Advanced Realtime Gaming Universal Simulation
ARI		Army Research Institute (for the Behavioral and Social Sciences)
ARL		U.S. Army Research Laboratory
ARP		Address Resolution Protocol
ARPA		Advanced Research Projects Agency (formerly DARPA)
ARPANET		ARPA Network
ARQ		Automatic Repeat reQuest
ASAT		Anti-Satellite
ASC		American Standards Committee
ASCII		American Standard Code for Information Interchange
ASCM		Advanced Space Computing Module
ASD		Assistant Secretary of Defense
ASD (ISP)	Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy
ASD (C3I) 	Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, 
		 Communication, and Intelligence
ASD (DEP&S)	Assistant Secretary of Defense for Drug Enforcement Policy and Support
ASD (P&L)	Assistant Secretary of Defense for Production and Logistics
ASD (PA&E)	Assistant Secretary of Defense for Program Analysis and Evaluation
ASD (ISP)	Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy
ASIP		Advanced System Improvement Program
ASIS		Ada Semantic Interface Specification
ASME		American Society of Mechanical Engineers
ASN		Abstract Syntax Notation
ASN		Assistant Secretary of the Navy
ASTC		Advanced Simulation Technology Center
ASTO		Advanced Systems Technology Office
ATB		Analytical Tool Box
ATCOM		Advanced Tactical Combat Model
ATCCS		Army Tactical Command and Control System
ATD		Advanced Technology Demonstration
ATDL		Army Tactical Data Link
ATDL		Army Tactical Data Link
ATDL-1		Army Tactical Data Link-One
ATE		Automatic Test Equipment
ATF		Advanced Tactical Fighter
ATFM&S		Acquisition Task Force on Modeling and Simulation
ATEMS		Advanced Threat Emitter Simulator
ATEWES		Advanced Tactical Electronic Warfare Environment Simulator
ATM		Asynchronous Transfer Mode
ATRJ		Advanced Threat Radar Jammer
ATRJ		Advanced Tactical Radar Jammer
ATS		Advanced Threat Simulator
ATS		Automated Tracking System
ATS		Automatic Telecommunication System 
ATTD		Advanced Technology Transition Demonstration
ATTD-SAG	ATTD Senior Advisory Group
AU		Access Unit
AVO		ADA Validation Office, part of AJPO
AWACS		Airborne Warning and Control System
AWD		Advanced Warfighting Demonstration
AWD		Alternate World Database
AWE		Advanced Warfighting Experiment
AWIPS		NOAA's Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System
AWIS		Army World-Wide Military Command and Control Information Systems
AWSIM		Air Warfare Simulation

B

BAA		Broad Area Announcement
BASOPS		Base Operating Information System
BAST		Board on Army Science and Technology (part of National
		 Academy of Sciences)
BAUD		Characters Xmitted/sec Serially From a Computer
BBN		Broad Band Noise
BBS		Bulletin Board System
BBS		Brigade/Battalion Simulation
BCBL		Battle Command Battle Lab
BCC		Base Communications-Computer Center
BCCS		Battlefield Command and Control System
BCS		Battery computer system
BCTP		Battle Command Training Program
BDA		Battlespace Damage Assessment
BDS		Battlefield Development Simulator
BDS		Battlefield Distributed Simulation
BDS-D		Battlefield Distributed Simulation - Developmental
BEB		Binary Exponential Backoff
BECN		Backward Explicit Congestion Notification (Frame Relay)
BEE		Battery Energy Efficient protocol
BEES		Battlefield Environmental Effects Software
BER		Basic Encoding Rules
BER		Bit Error Rate
BERT		Bit-Error-Rate Test
BES		Background Environment Simulator
BEWSS		Battlefield Environment Weapon System Simulation
BFA		Battlefield Funcitonal Area
BFM		Battlefield Forecast Model
BFTT		Battle Force Tactical Trainer
BGP		Border Gateway Protocol
BIS		Built-in Simulation
BIT		Built-In Test
BITE		Built-in-Test Equipment
BLERT		Block-Error-Rate Test
BLOB		Binary Large Object
BMC3		Battle Management, Command, Control, and Communications
BMD		Ballistic Missile Defense
BMDES		Ballistic Missile Defense Engagement Simulation
BMDO		Ballistic Missile Defense Organization
BMTA		Backbone Message Transfer Agent
BOS		Basic Operating System
BPS		Bits Per Second
BPSK		Binary Phase Shift Keying
BRAC		Base Realignment and Closures
BRIDGESIM	Bridge Simulator
BRITE		Basic Research in Industrial Technologies for Europe
BRL		Ballistic Research Laboratory
BSC		Battle Simulation Center
BT		Behavioral Taxonomy
BUCS		Back-up computer system
BUR		Bottom-up Review
BW		Bandwidth

C

C/S		Commanders-in-Chief (CINCs) / Services
C/JTF		Combined/Joint Task Force
C-CS		Communications-Computer Systems
C/S/A		CINCs / Services / Agencies
C2		Command and Control
C2I		Command, Control, and Intelligence
C2IS		C2 Information Systems
C2W		Command and Control Warfare
C3		Command, Control, and Communications
C3I		Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence
C3I/IS		C3I/Information Systems
C3M		Command, Control and Communications Countermeasures
C3S		C3 Systems
C4		Command, Control, Communications, and Computers
C4I		Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence
C4IFTW		C4I for the Warrior
C4ISR		Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence,
                              Surveillance and Reconnaissance 
C4SMP		C4 System Master Plan
CAA		U.S. Army Concepts Analysis Agency
CAAM		Composite Area Analysis Model
CAAN		Combined Arms Assessment Network
CAC		Combined Arms Center
CACDA		Combined Arms Combat Development Activity
CACE		Computer-Aided Cost Estimating
CACEAS		Computer-Assisted Circuit Engineering and Allocating System
CACTIS		Community Automated Counter-Terrorism Intelligence System
CAD		Computer-Aided Design
CAD/CAM		Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing
CADDS		Computer Aided Design and Drafting System
CADE		Computer-Aided Design Equipment
CADIS		Communication Architecture for Distributed Interactive Simulation
CADMAT		Computer-Aided Design, Manufacture and Test
CADS		Computer-Assisted Display System
CAE		Computer Aided Engineering
CAE		Common Application Environment
CAESAR		Computer-Aided Exploration of Synthetic Aperture Radar
CAI		Computer Aided Instruction
CALOW		Contingency/Limited Objective Warfare
CAL		Computer Aided Learning
CALS		Computer Aided Acquisition and Logistics Support
CAM		Computer Aided Manufacturing
CAMAC		Computer-Aided Measurement and Control
CAMD		Computer Assisted Molecular Design
CAMDSS		Common Architecture for Model Development and Simulation Support
CAPE		Computer Aided Project Engineering
CAPS		Computer-Aided Paperless System
CAPP		Computer-Aided Process Plan
CARDG		Compressed ARDG
CARDS		Central Archive for Reusable Defense Software
CARE		Computer Assistance Resource Exchange
CARES		Cratering and Related Effects Simulation
CARP		Cache Array Routing Protocol
CASE		Computer Assisted Software Engineering
CASE		Computer Aided Software Engineering
CASE 		Computer-Assisted Systems Engineering
CASS		Consolidated Automated Support System
CASTFOREM	Combined Arms And Support Task Force Evaluation Model
CATIA		Computer-Aided Three Dimensional Interactive Application
CATIS		Computer-Assisted Tactical Information System
CATT		Combined Arms Tactical Trainer
CAU		Cell Adapter Unit
CAX		Computer Aided Exercise
CAX		Combined Arms Exercise
CBD		Commerce Business Daily
CBI		Computer Based Instruction
CBL		Computer Based Learning
CBO		Congressional Budget Office
CBR		Constant Bit Rate
CBRS		Concept Based Requirement System
CBS		Corps Battle Simulation
CBT		Computer Based Training
CCB		Configuration Control Board
CCBD		Configuration Control Board Directives
CCD		Cover, Concealment and Deception
CCEB		Combined Communications-Electronics Board
CCF		Central Computer Facility
CCIB		Command and Control Interoperability Board
CCIS		Command and Control Information System
CCRP		C4ISR Cooperative Research Program
CCSP		Consolidated Computer Security Program 
CCTT		Close Combat Tactical Trainer
CCU		Computer Control Unit
CD		Compact Disc
CDA		Central Design Activity
CDAd		Component Data Administrator
CDB		Common Data Base
CDD		Common Data Dictionary
CDDI		Copper Distributed Data Interface
CDE		Common Desktop Environment
CDI		Compact Disk Interactive
CDIN		CONUS Defense Integrated Network
CDMA		Code Division Multiple Access 
CD-R		Compact Disk - Recordable
CDRL		Contract Data Requirements List
CD-ROM		Compact Disk - Read Only Memory
CDS		Congressional Data Sheets
CDU		Control Display Unit
CD-V		Compact Disk - Video
CD-WO		Compact Disk - Write Once
CEC		Cooperative Engagement Capability
CECOM		Communications Electronics Command
CEESIM		Combat Electromagnetic Environment Simulator
CEM		Concepts Evaluation Model
CEM		Constant Envelope Modulation
CENTCOM		U.S. Central Command
CEP		Circular Error, Probable
CEP		Cooperative Engagement Processor
CERS		Combat Environment Realism System
CES		Cognitive Environment Simulator
CET		Computers and Electronic Technology
CEWI		Communications Electronic Warfare Intelligence
CFA		Center for Architecture (JIEO)
CFDB		Conventional Forces Database
CFE		Conventional Forces in Europe
CFE		Contractor Furnished Equipment
CFE		Center for Engineering
CFII		Center for Integration and Interoperability
CFOR		Command Forces
CFS		Center for Standards
CGF		Computer Generated Forces
CGI		Computer Graphics Interface (ANSI/ISO)
CGM		Computer Graphics Metafile
CHS		Common Hardware and Software
CI		Configuration Item
CICS		Customer Information Control System
CIDS		Computerized Information Delivery Service
CIE		Computer Integrated Engineering
CIE-PAT		Computer Integrated Engineering Process Action Team
CIE-QC		Computer Integrated Engineering Quality Circle
CIG		Computer Image Generation
CIKS		Cryptographic Ignition Key
CIM		Computer Integrated Manufacturing
CIM		Corporate Information Management
CIM/EI		Corporate Information Management/Enterprise Integration
CIMNET		Center for Information Management Network
CIMP		Corporate Information Management Plan
CINC		Commander in Chief
CINCLANTFLT	Commander-in-Chief Atlantic Fleet
CINCPACFLT	Commander-in-Chief Pacific Fleet
CIO		Central Imagery Office
CIO		Chief Information Office (DISA)
CIP		Combat Information Processor
CIP		Capital Investment Plan
CIP		Combined Interoperability Program
CIRIS		Completely Integrated Reference Instrumentation System
CIRRUS		Clouds, Infrared, Real for Use in Simulations
CIS		CASE Integration Services
CIS		Command Information System
CISC		Complex Instruction Set Computer
CISS		Center for Information Systems Security (JIEO)
CIU		Cell Interface Unit
CIWG		Communications Interoperability Working Group
CJCS		Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
CL		Closed Loop
CLD		Center Line Data
CLDGEN		Cloud Scene Generator
CLNP		Connectionless Network Protocol
CLNS		Connectionless Network Service
CM		Configuration Management
CMASS		Counterdrug Modeling and Simulation System
CMC		Commandant of the Marine Corps
CMI		Computer Managed Instruction
CMIS/P		Common Management Information Services & Protocols
CMMS		Conceptual Models of the Mission Spaces
CMP		Configuration Management Plan
CMTW		Combined Major Theater War
CMWG		Configuration Management Working Group
CN		Communications Network
CNA		Center for Naval Analysis
CNC		Communications Network Control
CNMS		Consolidated Network Management System
CNO		Chief of Naval Operations
CNR		Combat Net Radio
COADS		Comprehensive Ocean Atmosphere Data Set
COBOL		Common Business Oriented Language
COBRA		Combat Outcome Based on Rules for Attrition
COE		Common Operating Environment
COEA		Cost and Operational Effectiveness Analysis
COI		Critical Operational Issue
COLD		Computer Output to Laser Disk
COM		Computer Output Microform
COMINT		Communications Intelligence
COMNET		Communications Network
COMPASS		Common Operational Modeling, Planning, and Simulation Strategy
COMPASS		Computer Alerted Surveillance System
COMSAT		Communications Satellite
COMSEC		Communications Security (In FY96 name changed to INFOSEC)
CONOPS		Concept of Operations
CONUS		Continental United States
COP		Common Operational Picture
Copernicus	Navy's C3 Architecture
CORBA		Common Object Request Broker Architecture
Corn		Computer Resource Nucleus
COSE		Common Open Software Environment
COTS		Commercial Off The Shelf
COVART		Computation of Vulnerable Area and Repair Time
CPU		Central Processing Unit
CRB		Configuration Review Board
CRC		Coleman Research Corporation
CRC		Cyclic Redundancy Check
CRDA		Cooperative Research & Development Agreement
CRLCMP		Computer Resource Life Cycle Management Plan
CRMP		Computer Resourses Management Plan
CROESUS		Navy plan for Copernicus
CROP		Common Relevant Operating Picture
CROSSBOW-S	Construction of a Radar to Operationally Simulate
		 Signals Believed to Originate Within the Soviet Union
CRT		Cathode Ray Tube
CRWG		Computer Resource Working Group
CRYPTO		Cryptographic
CSA		Configuration Status Accounting
CSC		Computer Software Component
CSC		Computer Sciences Corporation
CSCI		Computer Software Configuration Item
CSE		Common Support Equipment
CSEL		Combat Survivor Evader Locator
CSIDS		CENTCOM/SOCOM Integrated Data System
CSII		Center for Systems Interoperability and Integration
CSL		Computer Systems Laboratory (part of NIST)
CSMA		Carrier Sense Multiple Access
CSMA/CD		Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection
CSPEI		Computer Software Product End Item
CSS		Communications Support System
CSSBL		Combat Service Support Battle Lab
CSSCS		Combat Service Support Computer System
CSSM		Cloud Scene Simulation Model
CSSTSS		Combat Service Support Training Simulation System
CSU		Computer Software Unit
CTAPS		Contingency Theater Automated Planning System
CTC		Critical Technical Characteristics
CTE		Center for Test and Evaluation
CTEIP		Central Test And Evaluation Investment Program
CTIS		Combat Terrain Information System
CTIS		Command Tactical Information System
CTOA		Controlled Time of Arrival
CTOS		Convergent Technologies Operating Systems
CTS		Clear to Send
CVF		Compressed Volume File
CVGA		Color Video Graphics Array

D

DA		Data Administration
DA		Department of the Army
DA		Developing Agency (Navy)
DAA		Designated Approving Authorities
DAB		Defense Acquisition Board
DACS		Data and Analysis Center for Software
DACS		Digital Access and Cross-Connect System
DAd		Data Administrator
DAdm		Data Administration
DADS		Dynamic Analysis and Design System
DAE		Defense Acquisition Executive
DAEMONS		Logically Named System Resources
DAES		Defense Acquisition Executive Summary
DAG		Data Authentication Group
DAG		Data Analysis Group
DAI		Distributed Artificial Intelligence
DAISY		Defense Automated Information System
DAMA		Demand Assignment Multiple Access
DAP		Data Access Protocol
DAP		Directory Access Protocol
DAPG		Data Analysis Programming Group
DAPM		Data Administration Program Management Office
DAPM		Domain Analysis Process Model
DAPMO		Data Administration Program Management Office
DAPS		Data Acquisition and Processing System
DAR		Defense Acquisition Regulation
DARIC		Defense Automation Resources Information Center
DARCOM		U.S. Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command
DARMP		Defense Automation Resources Management Program
DARO		Defense Airborne Reconnaissance Office
DARPA		Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (renamed ARPA)
DAS		Data Administration Program
DASD           	Direct Access Storage Device
DASD		Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
DASD(IM)	Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Information Management
DASIAC		DoD Nuclear Information and Analysis Center
DASP		DOD Data Administration Strategic Plan
DASS		Digital Acoustic Sensor Simulator
DAU		Data Acquisition Unit
DAWIA		Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act
DAWN		Defense Attache Worldwide Network
db		Decibel
DBA		Direct Budget Authority
DBA		Design-based Analysis
DBA		Direct Budget Authority
DBAd		Data Base Administrator
DBAdm		Data Base Administration
DBD		Data Base Document
DBMS		Data Base Management System
DBOF		Defense Business Operating Fund
DC or D/C	Down Converter
DCA		Defense Communications Agency(now DISA)
DCAA		Defense Contract Audit Agency
DCAS		Defense Contract Administrative Services
DCD		Directorate for Combat Developments
DCE		Distributed Computing Environment
DCID		Director for Central Intelligence Directive
DCN		Defense Communications Network
DCP		Decision Coordinating Paper
DCPS		Data Communications Protocol Standards
DCS		Defense Communications System
DCSINT		Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence
DCSINT		Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence
DCSLOG		Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics
DCSLOG		Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics
DCSOPS		Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations
DCSOPS		Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans
DCSPER		Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel
DCSPER		Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel
DCSTPM		Deputy Chief of Staff for Technology Planning and Management
DCT		Desktop Computer Terminal
DCT		Digital Communication Terminal
DCTN		Defense Commercial Telephone Network
DCW		Digital Chart of the World
DD/DS		Data Dictionary/Directory System
DDA		Domain Defined Attribute
DDARS		Distributed Data Archive and Retrieval System
DDBMS		Distributed Database Management System
DDC		Design Decision Criteria
DDI		Director of Defense Information
DDL		Data Definition Language
DDN		Defense Data Network
DDR&E	Director of Defense Research and Engineering
DDR		DoD Data Repository
DDRS		Defense Data Repository System
DDS		Data Distribution System
DDS		Dataphone Digital Service (AT&T)
DDS		Digital Data Service
DDS 		Direct Digital Synthesizer
DDS		Distributed Defense Simulation
DDSS		Distributed Defense Simulation System
DEA		Data Exchange Agreement
DECA		Digital Electronic Control Assembly
DECCO		Defense Commercial Communications Office
DEEM		Dynamic Environmental Effects Model
DEM		Digital Elevation Model
DES		Data Encryption Standard
DESA		Defense Evaluation Support Agency
DESC		Defense Electronics Supply Center
DESP		Data Element Standardization Program
DET		Dynamic Environment and Terrain
DFAD		Digital Feature Analysis Data
DFARS		DoD Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement
DFD		Data Flow Diagram
DFRM		Digital RF Memory
DGCC		Defense Information Systems Agency Global Control Center
DGDEM		Dynamic Generalized Digital Environmental Model Data Base
DGIS		Direct Graphics Interface Standard
DGSA		Defense Goal Security Architecture
DHIS		Distributed Heterogeneous Information Systems
DI		Date Integrity
DIA		Defense Intelligence Agency
DIB		Defense Information Base
DIB		Directory Information Base
DICE		Distributed Interactive C3I Effectiveness Simulation Project
DICE		DARPA Initiative for Concurrent Engineering
DID		Data Item Description
DIDHS		Deployed Intelligence Data Handling System
DIF		Data Interchange Format
DIGEST		Digital Geographic Information Exchange Standard
DII		Defense Information Infrastructure
DIICC		Defense Information Infrastructure Control Concept
DII COE		Defense Information Infrastructure Common Operating Environment
DIM		Director of Information Management
DIME		Digital Integrated Modeling Environment
DIS		Distributed Interactive Simulations
DIS		Defense Information System
DISA		Defense Information Systems Agency
DISA/CI		Defense Information Systems Agency/Center for Information
DISA-IS		DISA Information System
DISANet		DISA Information Network
DISC		Defense Information System Council
DISC4/ODISC4	Director of Information Systems Command, Control, 
		 Communications, and Computers/Office of the DISC4
DISN		Defense Information Systems Network
DISP		Directory Information Shadowing Protocol
DISSP		Defense Information System Security Program
DITPRO		Defense Information Technical Procurement Office
DL		Data Link
DL		Distance Learning
DLA		Defense Logistics Agency
DLC		Data Link Control
DLMS		Digital Land Mass System
DM		Dominant Maneuver
DMA		Defense Mapping Agency 
DMAP		Data Management and Analysis Plan
DMD		Digital Message Device
DME		Distributed Management Environment
DME		Distance Measuring Equipment
DMF		Data Management Facility
DMRD		Defense Management Review Decision
DMG		Digital Map Generator
DMR		Defense Management Review
DMRD		Defense Management Report Decision
DMS		Digital Modeling and Simulation
DMS		Distributed Models and Simulations
DMS		Defense Message System
DMSCC		Defense Modeling and Simulation Coordination Center
DMSI		Defense Modeling and Simulation Initiative
DMSO		Defense Modeling and Simulation Office
DMSP		Defense Message System Program
DMS/TMS		Defense Messaging System/Tactical Message System
DNA		Defense Nuclear Agency
DNS		Domain Name System
DNSIX		DoDIIS Network Security for Information Exchange
DNVT		Digital Non-Secure Voice Telephone
DoD		Department of Defense
DODCSEC		DoD Computer Security Evaluation Center 
DoDD		DoD Directive
DoDDir		Department of Defense Directive
DoDI		DoD Instruction
DoDInst		Department of Defense Instruction
DoDIIS		DoD Intelligence Information System
DoDM		DoD Manual
DoDMSEA		DoD M&S Executive Agent
DOE		Department of Energy
DOF		Degrees of Freedom
DOIM		Directors of Information Management
DOJ		Department of Justice
DOM		Doctrine, Organization, Materiel
DOMF		Distributed Object Management Facility
DON		Department of the Navy
DOORS		Demonstration of Dynamic Object Oriented Requirements System
DOS		Disk Operating System
DOT		Department of Transportation
DOTML-P		Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership, and Personnel
DOW		Day of the Week
DP		Data Processing
DPA		Demand Protocol Architecture
DPA		Defense Production Act
DPDB		Digital Product Data Base
DPG		Defense Planning Guidance
DPG		Dugway Proving Ground or Defense Planning Guidance
DPI		Data Processing Installation 
DRAM		Dynamic Random Access Memory
DRB		Defense Review Board
DRDA		Distributed Relational Data Base Architecture
DREN		Defense Research and Engineering Network
DRFM		Digital Rf Memory
DRG		Defense Research Group (NATO)
DRG		Digital Raster Graphic
DRG		Digital Raster Graphs
DRN		Data Representation Notation
DRTWG		Data and Repositories Technology Working Group
DRU		Data Retrieval Unit
DS		Digital Signal
DS		Direct Support
DSARC		Defense Systems Acquisition Review Committee
DSB		Defense Science Board
DSCS		Defense Satellite Communications System
DSE		Data Storage Equipment
DSE		Dynamic Synthetic Environments
DSI		Defense Simulation Internet
DSMAC		Digital Scene Matching Area Correlator
DSMC		Defense Systems Management College
DSN		Defense Switching Network [formerly Autovon]
DSP		Defense Support Program
DSR		Dynamic Source Routing
DSRS		Defense Software Repository System
DSS		Defense Switched System
DSS		Decision Support System
DSS		Digital Signature Standard
DSSCS		Defense Special Security Communications System 
DSSE		Developmental Software Support Environment
DSSEP		Developmental Software Support Environment Plan
DSSP		Defense Standardization and Specification Program
DSSSL		Document Style Semantics and Specification Language
DSU		Digital Service Unit
DTAD		Digital Terrain Analysis Data
DTAMS		Digital Terrain Analysis Mapping System
DTAP		Detailed Technology Area Plan
DTE/DCE		Data Terminal Equipment/Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment
DTED		Digital Terrain Elevation Data
DTED		Digital Terrain Evaluation Data
DTIC		Defense Technical Information Center
DTM		Digital Terrain Matrix
DTMP		Data Communications Protocol Standards Technical Management Plan
DTS		Digital Terrain System
DWTS		Digital Wideband Transmission System

E

E-MAIL		Electronic Mail
E2DIS		Environmental Effects for Distributed Interactive Simulation
E3		End-To-End Encryption
E3		Electromagnetic Environmental Effects
EA		Executive Agent
EA		Environmental Assessment
EA		Evolutionary Acquisition
EA		Evaluation Authority
EAC		Echelon Above Corps
EAD		Executive Agent Developer
EADSIM		Extended Air Defense Simulation
EADTB		Extended Air Defense Test Bed
EAROM		Electrically Alterable Read Only Memory
EBB		Electronic Bulletin Board
EBCDIC		Extended Binary Coded Decimal Interchange Code
EC		Electronic Combat
ECCM		Electronic Counter Countermeasures
ECM/EOCM	Electronic Countermeasures/Electro-Optical Countermeasures
ECM		Electronic Countermeasures
EC/EDI		Electronic Commerce / Electronic Data Interchange
ECDES		Electronic Combat Digital Evaluation Simulation
ECDIS		Electronic Chart Display and Information System
ECESL		Electronic Combat Evaluation and Simulation Laboratory
ECMA		European Computer Manufacturers Association
EC-MAC		Energy Conserving Medium Access Control
ECP		Engineering Change Proposal
ECSRL		Electronic Combat Simulation Research Laboratory
ECU		Environmental Control Unit
E/D		Encryptor/Decryptor
EDI		Electronic Data Interchange
EDIFACT		Electronic Data Interchange for Administration,
		 Commerce, and Transportation
EDM		Engineering Development Model
EDMIS		Engineering Drawing Management Information System
EEI		External Environment Interface
EELV		Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle
EEPROM		Electrically Erasable/Programmable Read Only Memory
EFRC		Enhanced Full Rate Codec
EFX		Expeditionary Force Experiment
EGA		Enhanced Graphics Adapter
EHF		Extra High Frequency
EIRP		Effective Isotropically Radiated Power
ELINT		Electronic Intelligence
EM		Electro-magnetic
EMA		Electronic Messaging Association
EMB		Extended Memory Block
EMIS		Environmental Management Information System
EMP		Electromagnetic Pulse
EMPRESS		EMP Radiation Environment Simulator for Ships
ENIAC		Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer
ENSOP		Environmental/Nuclear Simulation Oversight Panel
ENWGS		Enhanced Naval Warfare Gaming System
EOC		End of Conversion
EOF		End of File
EOI		End of Identity
EOJ		End of Job
EOSAEL		Electro-Optical Systems Atmospheric Effects Library
EOSDIS		Earth Observing System Data and Information System
EOSS		Electro-Optical Simulation System
EOTDA		Electro-Optical Simulation System
EPLRS		Enhanced Position Location Reporting System
ERD		Entity Relationship Diagram
ERDAS		Earth Resources Data Analysis System
ERIM		Environmental Research Institute of Michigan
EROM		Erasable Read-Only Memory
ESAMS		Enhanced Surface to Air Missile Simulation
ESMC		Eastern Space and Missile Center (formerly ETR)
ESP		External Simulation Protocol
ESPRIT		European Strategic Program for R&D in Information
		 Technologies
ETDA		Environmental Tactical Decision Aids
ETM		Enhanced Thematic Mapping
ETMO		Education, Training and Military Operations
ETR		Eastern Test Range (See ESMC)
EWTES		Electronic Warfare Threat Environment Simulator
EXCIMS		Executive Council for Modeling and Simulation

F

FAA		Federal Aviation Agency
FAC		Forward Air Controller
FADAC		Field Artillery Digital Automatic Computer
FAMA		Floor Acquisition Multiple Access
FAMSIM		Family of Simulations
FAPM		Functional Activity Program Manager
FAR		Federal Acquisition Regulation
FAST		Framework for Advanced Simulation Technology
FAST 		Field Assistance in Science and Technology
FASTC		Foreign Aerospace Science and Technology Center
FBE		Fleet Battle Experiment
FCS		Frame Check Sequence
FDAd		Functional Data Administrator
FDD		Functional Description Document
FDDI		Fiber Distributed Data Interface
FDM		Frequency Division Mutliplexer
FDMA		Frequency Division Multiple Access
FDP		Full Dimensional Protection
FDUX		Full Duplex
FEA		Functional Economic Analysis
FEC		Forward Error Correction
FECN		Forward Explicit Congestion Notification (Frame Relay)
FED		Federation Execution Data
FEDEP		Federation Development and Execution Process
FEMA		Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEPW		Federation Execution Planners Workbook
FFRDC		Federally Funded Research and Development Centers
FHSS		Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum
FIM		Functional Information Manager
FIM		Functional Integration Manager
FIP		Federal Information Process
FIPS		Federal Information Processing Standard
FIRMA		Federal Information Resources Management Act
FIRMR		Federal Information Resources Management Regulation
FIS		Federal Information System
FL		Focused Logistics
FMS		Foreign Military Sales
FOC		Final Operating Capability
FOC		Full Operational Capability
FODA		Feature-Oriented Domain Analysis
FODDS		Fact-Oriented Data Distribution System
FOHMD		Fiber-optic Helmet-mounted Display/Device
FOIA		Freedom of Information Act
FOM		Federation Object Model
FON		Fiber Optic Network
FOR		Field of Regard
FORCEM		Force Evaluation Model
FORGE		Force Evaluation Model Gaming Evaluator
FOV		Field Of View
FOW		Forward Order Wire
FPDC		Federal Procurement Data Center
FPRP		Five-Phase Reservation Protocol (for Mobile Ad-hoc Networks)
FQDN		Fully Qualified Domain Name
FRS		Family Radio Service
FSCATT		Fire Support Combined Arms Tactical Trainer
FSM		Finite State Machine
FSTC		Foreign Systems Technology Center (Army)
FSU		Former Soviet Union
FTAM		File Transfer Access and Management
FTP		File Transfer Protocol
FTS		Full Threat Simulator
FWG		Functional Working Group
FY		Fiscal Year
FYDP		Future-Years Defense Plan

G

G-WARS		Ground Wars (Computer simulation model)
GAO		General Accounting Office
GATERS		Ground Air Teleoperated Robotic System
GCCS		Global Combat Support System
GCCS		Global Command and Control System
GCDIS		Global Change Data and Information System
GDD/D		Global Data Dictionary and Directory
GDDM		Graphics Data Display Manager
GDEM		Generalized Digital Environmental Model Data Base
GDI		Graphics Device Interface
GDIP		General Defense Intelligence Program
GDMS		Global Data Management System
GEO		Geosynchronous Orbit
GEOLOC		Geographic Location
GEOREF		Geographic Reference
GIDEP		Government/Industry Data Exchange Program
GIG		Global Information Grid
GIG SSG		Global Information Grid Senior Steering Group
GIN		Graphics Input
GIS		Geographic Information System
GKS		Graphical Kernel System
GLM		General Linear Models
GMRS		General Mobile Radio Service
GNMP		Government Network Management Profile
GMT		Greenwich Mean Time
GOSC		General Officer Steering Committee
GOSIP		Government Open System Interconnect Profile
GOTS		Government-Off-the-Shelf
GPS		Global Positioning System
GSA		General Services Administration
GTCT		Global Tropical Cyclone Tracks Data Base
GTDB		Generic Transformed Data Base
GTE		Ground Threat Emitter
GTM		Ground Truth Model
GTN		Global Transportation Network
GTRI		Georgia Tech Research Institute
GTWAPS		Global Theater Weather Analysis and Prediction System
GUI		Graphical User Interface

H

H/W		Hardware
HAMPS		Host AUTODIN Message Processing System
HARM		High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile
HBR		Human Behavioral Representation
HBR		House Budget Resolution
HBTWG		Human Behavior Technology Working Group
HBV		Human Behavioral Variables
HCI		Human Computer Interaction
HCI		Human Computer Interface
HD		Hard Disk
HD		High Density
HDF		Hierarchical Data Format
HDL		Harry Diamond Laboratories
HDLC		High-level Data Link Control Protocol
HDTV		High Definition Television
HDU		Helmet Display Unit
HDUX		Half Duplex
HDZ		High Density Zone
HEAT		Headquarters Effectiveness Assessment Tool
HEO		High Earth Orbit
HEO		Highly Elliptical Orbit
HFE		Human Factors Engineering
HFEA		Human Factors Engineering Analysis
HHT		Handheld Terminal
HHUT		Handheld User Terminal
HITL		Hardware-in-the-Loop
HITL		Human-in-the-Loop
HLA		High-Level Architecture
HMD		Helmet Mounted Display
HMI		Human-Machine Interface
HMS		Helmet Mounted Sight
HMS/DS		Helmet Mounted Sight/Display System
HMU		Helmet Mounted Unit
HOL		High Order Language
HOM		Higher Order Model
HOTMAC		High Order Turbulence Model for Atmospheric Circulations
HPA		High Power Amplifier
HPC		High Performance Computer
HPCC		High Performance Computing and Communications
HPCCIT		High Performance Computing, Communications, and
		 Information Technology
HPPI		High Performance Parallel Interface
HQDA		Headquarters, Department of the Army
HQMC		Headquarters Marine Corps
HRCP		High Resolution Cloud Prognosis Model
HRIS		Human Resource Information System
HS		High Speed
HSI		Human Systems Integration
HSI		High Speed Serial Interface
HTML		HyperText Markup Language
HTTP		HyperText Transfer Protocol
HUMINT		Human Intelligence
HW/SWIL		Hardware/Software-In-The-Loop
HWIL		Hardware-in-the-Loop
HYTIME		Hypermedia/Time-Based Structuring Language

I

I/O		Input/Output
I-TES		I-Band Threat Environment Simulator
I3		Intelligent Integration of Information
IA		Information Assurance
IAC		Information Analysis Center
IBM		International Business Machines
IC		Integrated Circuit
ICA		Integrated Communications Architecture
ICASE		Integrated Computer Aided Software Engineering
ICC		Integrated Control Center
ICCOG		Intelligence Community Coordination Group
ICD		Interface Control Document
ICDB		Integrated Communications Database
ICMP		Internet Control Message Protocol
ICOM		Input, Control, Output, and Mechanism
IDA		Institute for Defense Analysis
IDB		Integrated Database
IDBEF		Integrated Database Extract Format
IDBTF		Integrated Database Transaction Format
I/DBTWG		Information/Database Technology Working Group
IDEA		Integrated Engineering/Design Aide
IDEF		Integrated Computer-Aided Manufacturing Definition
IDL		Interface Design Language
IDM		Improved Data Modem
IDM		Information Dissemination Management
IDP		Initial Domain Part
IDRL		Integrated data requirements list
IEEE		Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
IERs		Information Exchange Requirements
IFIP		International Federation of Information Processing
IFOR		Intelligent Forces
IGES		Initial Graphics Exchange Specification
IGMP		Internet Group Management Protocol
IGOSS		Industry/Government Open System Specification
IHADSS		Integrated Helmet and Display Sight System
IIS		Intelligence Information System
IITRI		Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute
I/ITSC		Interservice Industry Training Systems Conference
IM		Information Management
IMA		Information Mission Area
IMB		Interoperability Management Board
IMD		Information Management Directorate
IMEP		Independent Master Evaluation Plan
IMP		Information Management Plan
IMR		Information Management Representative
IMS		Information Management System
IMTC		International Multimedia Teleconferencing Consortium
IMTEC		GAO's Information Management and Technology Division
INCA		Intelligence Communications Architecture
INFOSEC		Information System Security
INMS		Integrated Network Management System
INST		Information Standards and Technology Standardization Area
INX		Information Exchange
IOC		Initial Operational Capability
IP		Internet Protocol
IPC		Information Policy Council
IPM		Interpersonal Messaging
IPMS		Interpersonal Messaging System
IPPD		Integrated Product and Process Development
IOC		Initial Operational Capability
IPR		In-process review 
IPT		Integrated Product Team
IRAC		International Requirements and Design Criteria
IRDS		Information Resource Dictionary System
IRIA		Infrared Information Analysis Center
IRM		Information Resource Management
IS		Information Superiority
IS		Information System
IS		International Standardization 
IS		Interface Specification
IS		Israel/Israeli
ISA		Information System Architecture
ISA		Industry Standard Architecture
ISATS		Information System ADP Tracking System
ISC		U.S. Army Information Systems Command
ISDN		Integrated Services Digital Network
ISEE		Integrated Software Engineering Environment
ISGMS		Industry Steering Group on M&S
ISMC		Imagery Standards Management Committee
ISO		International Standardization Organization
ISR_SUM		Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Simulation
ISSAA		Information Systems Selection and Acquisition Agency - Army
ISSM		Information Systems Security Manager
ISSO		Information Security Oversight Office
ISSPM		Information Systems Security Program
IST		Institute for Simulation and Training
ISX		Information Superiority Experiment
IT		Information Technology
ITD		Interim Terrain Database
ITDN		Integrated Tactical Data Network
ITEM		Integrated Theater Engagement Model
ITM		Irregular Terrain Model 
ITN		Identification Tasking and Networking
ITO		Intermediate Transfer Orbit
ITPB		Information Technology Policy Board ITRI Information
		 Technology Reuse Initiative
ITRUS		Information Technology Reuse
ITS		Intelligent Tutoring System
ITSDN		Integrated Tactical/Strategic Data Network
ITSPO		Information Technology Standards Program Office
ITU		Information Transport Utility
ITU-TSB		International Telecommunications Union - Telecommunications
IUSS		Integrated Unit Simulation System
IV&V		Independent Verification and Validation
IVIS		Inter-Vehicular Information System
IWG		Interface Working Group
IWSDB		Integrated Weapon Systems Data Base

J

J-SPACES	Joint Space Combat Environment Simulation
JAAT		Joint Air Attack Teams
JACG		Joint Aeronautical Commanders Group
JADS/JFS	Joint Advanced Distributed Simulation Joint Feasibility Study
JAFLME		Joint Automated Field Logistics Model for Employment
JANNAF		Joint Army, Navy, NASA, Air Force
JANUS		Joint Army Navy Uniform Simulation
JAOC		Joint Air Operations Center
JASP		Joint Advanced Strike Technology Program
JAST		Joint Advanced Strike Technology
JCALS		Joint Computer-Aided Acquisition Logistics System
JCCD		Joint Camouflage, Concealment and Deception
JCG		Joint Commanders Group
JCG(T&E)	Joint Commanders Group (Test and Evaluation)
JCM		Joint Conflict Model
JCMO		Joint CALS Management Organization
JCS		Joint Chiefs of Staff 
JDBE		Joint Data Base Elements
JDL		Joint Director of Laboratories
JECEWSI		Joint Electronic Combat Electronic Warfare Simulation
JESS		Joint Exercise Simulation System
JETTA		Joint Environment for Testing Training and Analysis
JEWC		Joint Electronic Warfare Center
JFACC		Joint Force Air Component Commander
JHU/APL		John Hopkins University/Applied Physics Lab
JHU		John Hopkins University
JIC		Joint Intelligence Center
JIEO		Joint Interoperability and Engineering Organization
JIMASS		Joint Intelligence Modeling and Simulation System
JINTACCS	Joint Interoperability of Tactical Command and Control System
JISR		Joint Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
JIVA		Joint Intelligence Virtual Architecture
JLC		Joint Logistics Commanders
JMASS		Joint Modeling and Simulation System
JMCIS		Joint Maritime Command Information System
JMSEP		Joint Modeling and Simulation Executive Panel
JMSWG		Joint Multi-TADIL Standards Working Group
JOPES		Joint Operation Planning and Execution System
JPL		Jet Propulsion Laboratory
JPO		Joint Program Office
JRMB		Joint Requirements And Management Board
JROC		Joint Requirements Oversight Council
JSAN		Joint Staff Automation of the Nineties
JSC		Johnson Space Center
JSC		Joint Spectrum Center
JSEAD		Joint Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses
JSEM		Joint Service Endgame Model
JSF		Joint Strike Fighter
JSIP		Joint Services Imagery Processing System
JSOR		Joint Service Operational Requirement
JSOW		Joint Stand-Off Weapon
JSP		Joint Service Program
JSRB		Joint Software Review Board
JSSA		Joint Stealth Strike AIrcraft
JSTARS		Joint Surveillance & Target Attack Radar System
JSTASL		Joint Scenario Tool Architecture and Script Language
JSTE		Joint System Training Exercise
JTA		Joint Technical Architecture
JTC		Joint Technical Committee
JTC3A		Joint Tactical Command, Control and Communications Agency
JTCTS		Joint Tactical Combat Training System
JT&E		Joint Test and Evaluation
JTF		Joint Task Force
JTIDS		Joint Tactical Information Distribution System
JTLS		Joint Theater Level Simulator
JTRS		Joint Tactical Radio System
JTSSG		Joint Telecommunications Standards Steering Group
JTWSG		Joint Theater of War Scenario Generator
JULLS		Joint Uniform Lessons Learned System
JUSTIS		Joint Uniform Services Technical Information System
JV2010		Joint Vision 2010
JVB		Joint Virtual Battlespace
JVIDS		Joint Visually Integrated Display System
JWFC		Joint Warfighting Center
JWICS		Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System
JWID		Joint Warrior Interoperability Demonstration
JWSOL		Joint Warfare Simulation Object Library

K

KA		Knowledge Acquisition (from data)
KAPSE		Kernel ADA programming environment
KBE		Knowledge Based Extraction
kbps		Kilobits per second
KBSC		Korean Battle Simulation Center
KBS/DBMS	Knowledge Based Systems/Data Base Management System
KDEC		Kinetic Energy Weapons Digital Emulation Center
KDR		Kill/Detection Ratio
KHILS		Kinetic Kill Vehicle HITL Simulator
kHz		Kilorhertz
KI		Knowledge Integration
KNACK		Knowledge Acquisition Kernel
KOPS		Thousands of Operations Per Second
KPP		Key Performance Parameter
KRS		Knowledge Retrieval System
KWIC		Key Word in Context
KWOC		Key Word out of Context

L

LABCOM		U.S. Army Laboratory Command
LAE		Liquid Apogee Engine
LAMPS		Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System
LAM		Louisiana Maneuvers
LAN		Local Area Network
LANACS		Local Area Network Asynchronous Connection Server
LANL		Los Alamos National Laboratory
LAPM		Link Access Procedure for Modems
LAT		Local Access Terminal
LAWN		Local Area Wireless Network
LB/TS		Large Blast/Thermal Simulator
LCC		Life Cycle Cost
LCCE		Life Cycle Cost Estimate
LCD		Liquid Crystal Display
LCM		Life Cycle Model
LCM		Life Cycle Management
LCSEC		Life Cycle Software Engineering Center
LCSS		Life Cycle Software Support
LCU		Laptop Computer Unit
LCU		Lightweight Computer Unit
LCU		Last Cluster Used
LDM		Long Distance Modem
LDR		Low Data Rate
LEAF		Law Enforcement Access Field
LEC		Local Exchange Carrier
LED		Light-Emitting Diode
LEEGCCS		Leading Edge Environment for the Global Command and
		 Control System
LEM		Language Extension Module
LEO		Low Earth Orbit
LFU		Least Frequently Used
LHCP		Left Hand Circular Polarization
LHN		Long-Haul Network
LIVID		Language Identification and Voice Identification
LLNL		Lawrence-Livermore National Laboratory
LMDS		Local Multipoint Distribution Service
LMS		Least Means Squared
LNA		Low Noise Antenna
LOC		Lines of Code
LOCIS		Library of Congress Information System
LOE		Level of Effort
LoF		Loss Of Function
LoF (P)		Loss of Function for Personnel
LPD		Low Probability of Detection
LPF		Low Pass Filter
LPI		Low Probability of Interception
LPM		Lines Per Minute
LRI		Line Replacement Item
LRIP		Low-Rate Initial Production
LRM		Language Reference Manual
LRM		Line Replaceable Unit
LRN		Local Range Network
LRU		Line Replaceable Unit
LSB		Least Significant Bit
LSC		Least Significant Character
LSE		Local Subscriber Environment
LSTF		Life Sciences Test Facility
LV		Launch Vehicle
LWTC		Littoral Warfare Training Complex

M

M/TGBC3I	Mobile/Transportable Ground-Based C3I (system)
M/S		Milestone
M&A		Merger and Acquisition
M&S		Modeling and Simulation
MS&A		Modeling, Simulation and Analysis
MAC		Media Access Control
MACA		Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance
MACA/SS		Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance / Spread Spectrum
MACAW		Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance for Wireless
MACH		Model of Atmospheric Chemical Hazards
MACIPS		Military Airlift Command Information Processing System
MACOM		Major Army command
MACS		Mutually Agreeable Commercial Software
MAD		Message Address Directory
MAHO		Mobile Assisted Handoff
MAIS		Mobile Automated Instrumentation Suite
MAISRC		Major Automated Information System Review Council
MAMS		Military Airspace Management System
MAN		Metropolitan Area Network
MANET		Mobile Ad Hoc Network
MAPSE		Minimal ADA Program Support Environment
MARCORSYSCOM	Marine Corps Systems Command
MARKS		Modern Army Record Keeping System
MASC		Modeling Analysis and Simulation Center
MASDA		Model and Simulation Decision Aid
MASE		Message Administration Service Element
MBE		Multi-Band Emitter
MBS		MUOS Base Station
Mbps		Megabits per second
MCAD		Mechanical Computer Aided Design
MCB		Memory Control Block
MCBF		Mean Cycles Between Failures
MCCR		Mission Critical Computer Resources
MCDA		Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis
MCEB		Military Communications-Electronic Board
MCMSMO		Marine Corps Modeling and Simulation Management Office
MCMSWG		Marine Corps Modeling and Simulation Working Group
MCP		Mission Capability Package
MCS		Message Conversion System
MDDC		Missile Defense Data Center
MDR		Medium Data Rate
MDS		Meteorological Data System
MDSE		Message Delivery Service Element
MDT		Message Distribution Terminal
MEL		Master Environment Library
MEO		Medium Earth Orbit
METS		Mobile Electronic Threat Simulator
MFG		Multi-Function Gateway
MFIP		Multi-Function Interoperability Processor
MFS		Manned Flight Simulator
MGED		Multidevice Graphics Editor
MGRS		Military Grid Reference System
MHS		Message Handling System
MHz		MegaHertz
MIB		Management Information Base
MIDAS		Model for Intertheater Deployment by Air and Sea
MIDS		Multifunction Information Distribution System
MIDS-LVT	Multi-Functional Information Distribution System - Low
		 Voltage Terminal
MIL		Man-in-the-loop
MILES		Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System
MILNET		Military network
MIMD		Multiple-Instruction, Multiple-Data
MIME		Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension
MINX		Multimedia Information Exchange Network
MIPR		Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request
MIPS		Millions of Instructions Per Second
MIR		Most Important Requirements
MIS		Management Information System
MISD		Management Information Systems Directorate
MISMA		U.S. Army Model Improvement and Study Management Agency
MISSI		Multilevel Information System Security Initiative
MIT		Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT		Management Information Tree
ML		Machine Language
MLS		Multi-Level Security
MMHS		Military Message Handling System
MMI		Man-Machine Interface
MMS		Multilevel Mail Server
MMU		Mass Memory Unit
MMU		Memory Management Unit
MMW		Millimeter Wave
MMWPROP		Millimeter Wave Propagation Prediction Model
MNOI		Messages Not Of Interest
MNS		Mission Needs Statement
MOBA		Military Operations in Built-Up Areas
MOBACS		Military Operations in Built-Up Areas Combat Simulation
MODAS		Modular Ocean Data Assimilation System
ModSAF		Modular Semi-Automated Forces
MOEs		Measures of Effectiveness
MOHLL		Machine Oriented High Level Language
MOM		Management Object Model
MOO		Measures of Outcome
MOPs		Measures Of Performance
MORS		Military Operations Research Society
MOSAIC		MOdels and Simulations: Army Integrated Catalog
MOUT		Military Operations in Urban Terrain
MPD	 	Message Preparation Directory
MPDU		Message Protocol Data Unit
MRC		Major Regional Conflict
MRSE		Message Retrieval Service Element
MRT		Mean Repair Time
MRTFB		Major Range and Test Facility Base
MS		Microsoft
MS		Milestone 
MS		Message Store
M&S		Modeling and Simulation
MSAS		Military Simulation Assessment System
MSC		Mobile Switching Center
MSCC		M&S Coordination Center
MSCCTF		M&S Coordination Center Task Force
MSD		Mass Storage Device
MSDDB		Master Seafloor Digital Data Base
MSDOS		Microsoft Disk Operating System
MSDS		Master Simulation Data System
MSE		Mobile Subscriber Equipment
MSEA		M&S Executive Agent
MSI		Multi-Spectral Imagery
MSIS		M&S Information System
MSL		Mean Sea Level
MSMP		M&S Master Plan
MSP		Message Security Protocol
MSRR		Modeling and Simulation Resource Repository 
MSRR		M&S Resource Repository
MSSE		Message Submission Service Element
MSWG		Modeling and Simulation Working Group
MT		Message Transfer
MTA		Message Transfer Agent
MTBCF		Mean Time Between Critical Failure
MTBF		Mean Time Between Failure
MTBR		Mean Time Between Repair
MTDS		Marine Corps Tactical Data System
MTF 		Message Text Formats
MTF		Modulation Transfer Function;
MTM		Model-Test-Model
MTOPS		Millions of Theoretical Operations Per Second
MTS		Moving Target Simulator
MTS		Message Transfer System
MTTF		Mean Time To Failure
MTTR		Mean Time To Repair
MTU		Maximum Transmission Unit
MTWS		Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Tactical Warfare Simulation
MUTES		Multiple Threat Emitter Systems
MVC		Multicast Virtual Circuit
MWARS		Maneuver-Warfare Analytical and Research System

N

NALCOMIS	Naval Aviation Logistics Command Information System
NAM		Network Assessment Model
NARDAC		Navy Regional Data Automation Center
NATO		North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NAS		National Academy of Sciences
NASA		National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASA/MSFC	NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
NASA/Stennis	NASA Stennis Space Center
NASI		NetWare Asynchronous Services Interface
NASM		National Air (Warfare) Simulation Model
NASNET		Naval Aviation Simulator Network Training
NAU		Network Addressable Unit
NAVAIR		Naval Air Systems Command
NAVAIRLANT	Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet
NAVAIRPAC	Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet
NAVAIRSYSCOM	Naval Air Systems Command
NAVELECSYSCOM	Naval Electronics Systems Command
NAVMIC		Naval Maritime Intelligence Center
NAVSEA		Naval Sea System Command
NAVSEASYSCOM	Naval Sea Systems Command
NAVSTAR GPS	Navigation Satellite Timing and Ranging Global Positioning System
NBS		National Bureau of Standards (see NIST)
NCA		National Command Authority
NCCOSC		Naval Command, Control and Ocean Surveillance Center
NCDC		National Climatic Data Center
NCS		Network Computing System
NCS		National Communications System
NCS		Network Control Station
NCSA		National Center for Supercomputing Applications
NCSC		National Computer Security Center
NCW		Network Centric Warfare
NES		Network Encryption System
NESSE		Near Earth Simulated Space Environment
NET		NET Network Entity Title
NET		Not Earlier Then
NET		New Equipment Training
NETOPS		Network Operations
NETWARS		Network Warfare Simulation
NFS		Network File Server
NGCR		Next Generation Computer Resources
NGO		Non-Government Organization
NGPM		Next Generation Performance Model
NGTCS		Next Generation Target Control System
NIC		Network Information Center
NIDR		Network Information Discover and Retrieval
NII		National Information Infrastructure
NIPRNET		Unclassified but Sensitive IP Router Network (DISN)
NIR		Network Information Retrieval
NISO		National Information Standards Organization
NIST		National Institute of Standards and Technology
NITC		National Information Technology Center
NLP		National-Level Telecommunications Programs
NLSP		Network Layer Security Protocol
NOAA		National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOCC		Network Operations Control Center
NODC		National Oceanographic Data Center
NODDS		Navy Oceanographic Data Distribution System
NOGAPS		Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System
NOVAM		Navy Oceanic Vertical Aerosol Model
NRaD		Naval C2 and Ocean Surveillance Center Research,
		 Development, Test and Evaluation Division
NREN		National Research and Education Network
NRL		Naval Research Laboratory
NRMC		Navy Regional Medical Center
NSA		National Security Agency
NSC		National Simulation Center
NSD		National Security Directive
NSDI		National Spatial Data Infrastructure
NSF		National Science Foundation
NSFnet		NSF network 45 mb/sec T-3
NSIDC		National Snow and Ice Data Center
NSO		Network Security Officer 
NSRD		National Software Reuse Directory
NSTC		National Science and Technology Council
NSTL		National Software Testing Labs
NTACMS		Navy Tactical Missile System
NTB		National Test Bed
NTCS-A		Navy Tactical Command Systems Afloat
NTDR		Near Term Digital Radio
NTDS		Navy Tactical Data System
NTF		National Test Facility
NTIC		Naval Technical Intelligence Center
NTIS		National Technical Information Service
NUI		Network User Interface
NUSSE		Non-Uniform Simple Surface Evaporation (model) 
NVD		Night Vision Device
NV&EOL		Night Vision and Electro-Optics Laboratory
NVE		Night Vision Equipment
NVESD		Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate
NVG		Night Vision Goggles
NVO		Non-Virtual Ocean
NVRAM		Non-Volatile Random Access Memory
NVS		Night Vision System
NWARS		National Wargaming System
NWTDB		Naval Warfare Technical Data Base

O

O&M		Operations and Maintenance
OAI		Open Applications Interface
OASD		Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense
OATS		Office Automation and Technology Services
OBJ		Object
OCI		Organizational Conflict of Interest
ODBMS		Object-Oriented Data Base Management System
ODES		Operational and Deployment Experiments Simulator
ODI		Open Datalink Interface
ODM		Organizational Domain Modeling
ODP		Open Distributed Processing
OH or O/H	Overhead
OII		Operations-Intelligence Interface
OIRA		OMB Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
OIS		Office Information System
OLE		Object Linking and Embedding
OM		Object Model
OMDD		Object Model Data Dictionary
OMDT		Object Model Development Tool
OMIS		Office of Computer Services and Information Systems
OML		Object Model Library
OMT		Object Model Template
ONC		Open Network Computing
OO		Object-Oriented
OOD		Object-Oriented Design
OODA		Object-Oriented Design with Assemblies
OODA		Observation, Orientation, Decision, Action
OODB		Object-Oriented Data Base
OODBMS		Object-Oriented Database Management System
OOM		Object-Oriented Modeling
OOTW		Operations Other Than War
OPFACs		Operational Facilities
OPNET		Optimized Network Engineering Tools
OPTADS		Operations Tactical Data Systems
OQPSK		Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying
ORACLE		Operational Research and Critical Link Evaluation
ORB		Object Request Broker
ORD		Operational Requirements Document
OS		Operating System
OSAM		Office of Spectrum Analysis and Management
OSD		Office of the Secretary of Defense
OSE		Open System Environment
OSF		Open Software Foundation
OSI		Open Systems Interconnection
OSP 		Other Service Program
OSS		Operations Support System
OSTP		Office of Science and Technology Policy 
OTA		Office of Technology Assessment
OTI		Office of Technical Integration
OUSD(A)		Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition

P

P&L		Production and Logistics
P3I		Pre-Planned Product Improvement
PADIL		PATRIOT Air Defense Information Language
PADS		Position Azimuth Determining System
PAMAS		Power Aware Multi-Access protocol with Signaling for Wireless Ad Hoc Networks
PBX		Private Branch Exchange
PC		Personal computer
PCB		Printed Circuit Board
PCIS		Portable Common Interface Set
PCM		Pulse Code Modulation
PCMCIA		Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
PCMR		Probability of Correct Message Receipt 
PCMT		Personal Computer Message Terminal
PCTE		Portable Common Tools Environment
PDA		Personal Digital Assistant
PDES		Product Data Exchange using STEP
PDF		Portable Document Format
PDF		Probability Density Function
PDU		Protocol Data Unit
PDE		Precision Engagement
PID		Protocol Identifier Data
PIF		Picture Interchange Format File
PIF		Program Interrupt Controller
PIN		Personal Identification Number
PIN		Process Identification Number
PIO		Processor Input/Output
PIPS		Polar Ice Prediction System
PK		Probability of Kill
PKI		Public Key Infrastructure
PLA		Plain Language Address
PLAD		Plain Language Address Designator
PLEXUS		Phillips Laboratory Expert User System
PM		Program Manager
PM ITTS		Project Manager for Instrumentation, Targets, and Threat Simulations
PMAW		Power and Mobility Aware Wireless protocol
PMSP		Preliminary Message Security Protocol
PNP		Plug and Play
POM		Program Objectives Memorandum
PPDB		Point Positioning Data Base
PTP		Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol
PRF		Pulse Repetition Frequency 
PRN		Packet Radio Network
PROM		Programmable Read-Only Memory
PSA		Principal Staff Assistant
PSTN		Public Switched Telephone Network
PTP		Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol
PTT		Push To Talk
PVC		Permanent Virtual Circuit
PVD		Plain View Display
PVO		Private Voluntary Organization

Q

Q/I		Question/Issue
QA		Quality Assurance
QAM		Quadrature Amplitude Modulation
QBE		Query By Example
QBF		Query By Form
QC		Quality Control
QDE		Quality Data Evaluation
QDOS		Quick and Dirty Operating System
QDR		Quality Deficiency Report
QFA		Quick File Access
QoS		Quality of Service
QPSK		Quadrature Phase Shift Keying

R

R-T		Real-Time
R&A		Review and Analysis
R&D		Research and Development
RAC		Reliability Analysis Center
RAM		Random Access Memory
RAM		Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability
RARP		Reverse Address Resolution Protocol
RASPUTIN	Rapid Scenario Preparation Unit for Intelligence
RAV		Robotic Air Vehicle
RBBS		Remote Bulletin Board System
RCAS		Reserve Component Automation System
RC		Routing Control
RCC		Range Commanders Council
RDA		Remote Database Access
RDA		Research, Development, and Acquisition
RDADS		Real Time Data Acquisition And Display System
RDAISA		Research, Development and Acquisition Information Systems Agency
RDB		Relational Database
RDBMS		Relational Data Base Management System
RDT&E		Research, Development, Test and Evaluation
REA		Remote Entity Approximation
REDCAP		Real-Time Electromagnetic Data Processor and Analyzer
REFORGER	Return of Forces to Germany
RESA		Research, Evaluation, and System Analysis
RF		Radio Frequency
RFI		Request for Information
RFP		Request for Proposals
RFPI		Rapid Force Projection Initiative
RFS		Remote File Sharing
RFSS		Radio Frequency Simulation System
RGS		Remote Ground Station
RHCP		Right Hand Circular Polarization
RID		RTI Initialization Data
RIMS		Radar Image Modeling System
RIP		Routing Information Protocol
RISC		Reduced Instruction Set Computer
RLF		Reuse Library Framework
RLMS		Radar Land Mass Simulator
ROAMS		Reusable Object Access and Management System
ROM		Read Only Memory
ROM		Rough Order of Magnitude
ROMC		Required Operational Messaging Characteristics
ROSE		Remote Operation Service Element
ROV		Range of View
ROV		Remotely Operated Vehicle
ROW		Rest of the World
ROW		Return Order Wire
ROW		Reverse Order Wire
RPC		Remote Procedure Call
RRDB		Rapidly Reconfigurable Data Base
RRDS		Reduced Resolution Data Set
RS		Relay System
RTCS		Real Time Clock System
RTF		Rich Text Format
RTI		Runtime Infrastructure
RTIC		real-time information in the cockpit
RTOS		Reconfigurable Tactical Operations Simulator
RTOS		Real Time Operating System
RTS		Request to Send
RTV		Real Time Video
RWM		Read-Write Memory

S

S/W		Software
S&E		Science and Engineering
S&M		Simulation and Modeling
S&T		Science and Technology
S&TP		Science and Technology Program
SA		Studies and Analysis
SA		Signal Assets
SA		Situational Awareness
SAC		Senate Appropriations Committee
SAC		Senior Advisory Council
SADS		Simulated Air Defense System
SAF		Semi-Automated Forces
SAFOR		Semi-Automated Forces
SALT		Society for Applied Learning Technology
SAM		Surface-to-Air Missile
SAN		Satellite Access Node
SAN		Storage Area Network
SASC		Senate Armed Services Committee
SASER		Synthetic Atmosphere and Space Environment Representations
SATCOM 		Satellite Communications
SBIRS		Space-Based Infra Red System
SBIS		Sustaining Base Information System
SBLC		Sustaining Base Level Computer
SCCB		Software Configuration Control Board
SCDL		Surveillance and Control Data Link
SCIPMIS		Standard Civilian Personnel Management Information System
SCORES		Scenario Oriented Recurring Evaluation System
SCM		Software Configuration Management
SDLC		Synchronous Data Link Control (IBM)
SDM		Sub-Rate Data Multiplexer
SDMA		Space Division Multiple Access
SDNS		Secure Data Network System
SDP		Software Development Plan Or Procedure
SDRB		Specifications and Data Review Board
SE		Synthetic Environment
SEACATT		Sea Combined Arms Tactical Trainer
SEAD		Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses
SEAMLSS		Simulation and Evaluation of Adaptive Mobile Large Scale Network Systems
SEF		Secretary of Defense
SECOMO		Software Engineering Cost Model
SED		Software Engineering Directorate
SEE		Software Engineering Environments
SEI		Software Engineering Institute
SEM		Spherical Earth Model
SEM		Simulation, Engineering and Modeling
SF		Synthetic Forces
SGD		Symbolized Graphics Data
SGEN		Signal Generator
SGLS		Space-Ground Link System (USAF)
SGML		Standard Generalized Markup Language
SHADE		Shared Data Engineering
SIF		Standard Simulator Data Base (SSDB) Interchange Format
SIF		System Integration Facilities
SIFT		Simulation Interface Toolset
SIG		Special Interest Group
SIGINT		Signals Intelligence
SIL		System Integration Laboratories
SIMCON		Simulation Converter
SIMNET		Simulation Network
SIMTECH		Simulation Technology Program
SIMWG		Simulation Working Group
SINCGARS		Single Channel Ground and Air Radio System
SIPRNET		Secret Internet Protocol Router Network
SMA		Spatial Multiple Access
SMART		Simulation & Modeling for Acquisition, Requirements and Training
SMART		Susceptibility Model Assessment and Range Test
SMDS		Switched Multi-megabit Data Service
SME		Subject Matter Expert
SMF		System Management Function
SMTA		Subordinate Message Transfer Agent
SMTP		Simple Message Transfer Protocol
SNA		System Network Architecture
SND		Standardized Nomenclature Database
SNMP		Simple Network Management Protocol
SNNAP		Statistical Neural Network Analysis Package
SNODEP		Snow Depth Model
SNP		Subnetwork Protocol
SNR		Signal to Noise Ratio
SNS		Secure Network Server
Soar		State operator and result
SOCC		Satellite Operations Control Center
SOE		Synthetic Operating Environment
SOE		Standard Operating Environment
SOF		Special Operations Forces
SOFATS		Special Operations Forces Aircrew Training System
SOFNET-JCM	Special Operations Forces Inter-Simulation Network - 
		Joint Conflict Model
SOFPARS		Special Operations Forces Planning and Rehearsal System
SOL		Simulation Oriented Language
SOM		Simulation Object Model
SONET		Synchronous Optical Network
SoS		System-of-systems
SOTA		State of the Art
SOW		Statement of Work
SPAWAR		Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command
SPCR		Software Problem Change Requests
SPD		Standards Planning Database
SPPD		Signal ProcessOr Package Design
SPRAE		Stochastic Predictor of Artillery Effectiveness
SPS		Software Product Specification
SQA		Software Quality Assurance
SQL		Structured Query Language
SQL/DS		Structured Query Language/Data System
SQP		Software Quality Program
SQPP		Software Quality Program Plan
SQuASH		Stochastic Quantitative Analysis of System Hierarchies
		 (Computer model for predicting terminal ballistic effects)
SRP		Software Reuse Program
SRR		System or Software Readiness Review
SRS		System or Software Requirements Specification
SSA		Software Support Activity
SSCDB		Subsurface Currents Data Base
SSF		Software Support Facilities
SSGM		Strategic Scene Generation Model
SSMC		Symbology Standards Management Committee
SSP		Simulation Support Plan
SSR		Software Specification Review
SSTORM		Structured Scenario Torpedo Operational Requirements Model
SS&T		Space, Science and Technology
STACCS		Standardized Theater Army Command and Control System
STADLS		Surrogate Threat Air Defense Laser System
SE		Scenario Toolkit and Generation Environment
STARS		Software Technology for Adaptable Reliable Software
STARS		SHAPE Technical Center Adaptable Radar Simulator
STARS		Software Technology for Adaptable, Reliable Systems
STDL		Submarine Tactical Data Link Program
STE		Surface Threat Emitter Or Special Test Equipment
STEP		Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data
STK		Satellite Toolkit
STM		Synchronous Transfer Mode
STOW		Synthetic Theater of War
STOW-E		Synthetic Theater of War - Europe
STR		Software Trouble Reports
STRICOM		Simulation, Training and Instrumentation Command
STVLS		Surrogate Threat Visible Laser System
SURVIAC		Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center
SWCI		Software Configuration Item
SWEG		Simulated Warfare Environment Generator
SWIL		Software-in-the-Loop
SWIP		Software Improvement Program
SYNB		Synthetic Battlefield
SYNC		Synchronous
SYSGEN		System Generator
SYSLOG		System LogT

T

T&E		Test and Evaluation
T&S		Training and Simulation
TA		Technical Architecture
TACAMO		Take Charge and Move Out
TACCIMS		Theater Automated Command Control Information Management System
TACCSF		Theater Air Command and Control Simulation Facility
TACSIM		Tactical Simulation
TACTICS-II	Tactical Information Control System II
TACTS		Tactical Aircrew Combat Training System
TADIL		Tactical Digital Information Link
TAFIM		Technical Architecture Framework for Information Management
TAG		Technical Advisory Group
TAGS		Tactical Gamma Ray Simulator
TAIS		Telecommunications and Automated Information Systems
TAMD		Theater Air and Missile Defense
TAMMIS		Theater Army Medical Management Information System
TAP		Technology Area Plan
TAT		TACSIM ALSP Translator
TBS		To Be Determined
TBIS		Technology Base Investment Strategy
TCC		Telecommunications center
TCP		Transmission Control Protocol
TCP/IP		Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
TCSEC		Trusted Computer System Evaluation Criteria
TD/CM		Technical Data/Configuration Management
TD/CMS		Technical Data/Configuration Management System
TDDS		Tactical Data Distribution System
TDI		Trusted Database Interpretation
TDL		Tactical Data Link
TDM		Time Division Multiplexer
TDMA		Time Division Multiple Access
TDP		TSPI Data Processor
TDP		Test Design Plan
TDP		Technical Data Package
TDSS		Training Devices, Simulations, and Simulators
TEAM		Threat Engagement Analysis Model
TEAM		Technology Base Enhancements for Autonomous Machines
TEC		Topographic Engineering Center
TEGEN		Tactical Environment Generator
TEMITS		Test and Evaluation Management Information and Tracking System
TEMPEST		Security class involving compromise of classified data
		 through interception of electronic impulses.
TEMS		Test and Evaluation Mission Simulator 
TERIS		Test and Evaluation Range Internet System
TES		Tactical Engagement Simulation
TF		Task Force
TFA		Transparent File Access
TFDD		Text File Device Driver
TIBS		Tactical Information Broadcast System
TID		Touch Interactive Display
TIDS		Tactical Information Distribution System
TIES		Terrain Imagery Exploitation System
TIIP		Topographic Imagery Integration Prototype
TIM		Tactical Internet Model
TIM		Technical Integration Manager
TIREM		Terrain-Integrated Rough-Earth Model
TLD		Top Level Demonstrations
TLM		Topographic Line Maps
TLSP		Transport Layer Security Protocol
TMIG		Theater Mobile Information Grid
TMS		Telecommunications Management System
TNI		Trusted Network Interpretation
TOPS		Thermodynamic Ocean Prediction System
TORA		Temporarily Ordered Routing Algorithm
TOSL		Tactical Ocean Simulation Laboratory
TPFDD		Time-Phased Force and Deployment Data
TRAC		TRADOC Analysis Center
TRADOC		U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
TRI-TAC		Tri-Service Tactical Communications
TRM		Technical Reference Model
TRS		Thermal Radiation Simulator
TRS		Training, Readiness & Simulation
TSIG		Trusted Systems Interoperability Group
TSPI		Time, Space, and Position Information
TT&C		Telemetry, Tracking and Command
TWG		Technical Working Group
TWINS		Tactical Wideband Network System
TWSTIAC		Tactical Warfare Simulation and Technical Information Analysis Center

U

UACG		Upper Air Gridded Climatology Data Base
UAV		Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UC or U/C	Up Converter
UCC		Unified Combatant Command
UCI		User-Computer Interface
UD		User Domain
UGDF		Uniform Gridded Data Field
UHF		Ultra High Frequency
UI		UNIX International
UIDL		User Interface Definition Language
UIMS		User Interface Management System
UISRM		User Interface System Reference Model
ULANA		Unified Local Area Network Architecture
ULMS		Unit-Level Message Switch
UN		United Nations
UNA		Use No Abbreviations
UNMA		Unified Network Management Architecture
USA		United States Army
USACOM		U.S. Atlantic Command
USAES		U.S. Army Engineer School
USAEUR		U.S. Amy, Europe
USAF		United States Air Force
USAFACS		U.S. Army Field Artillery Center and School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma
USAFAS		U.S. Army Field Artillery School
USAFE		United States Air Force Europe
USAF/XOM	U.S. Air Force Directorate of Modeling, Simulation and Analysis
USAHEL		U.S. Army Human Engineering Laboratory
USAIS		U.S. Army Infantry School
USAISC		U.S. Army Information System Command 
USASSDC		US Army Space and Strategic Defense Command
USCENTCOM	U.S. Central Command
USCG		U.S. Coast Guard
USCINCPAC	U. S. Commander-in-Chief Pacific
USD(A&T)	Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Technology
USEUCOM		U.S. European Command
USFIB		U.S. Foreign Intelligence Board
USFK		U.S. Forces Korea
USJFCOM		United States Joint Forces Command
USMC		United States Marine Corps
USMCR		United States Marine Corps Reserve
USMTF		U.S. Message Text Format
USN		United States Navy
USNO		United States Naval Observatory
USO		Unix Software Organization
USPACOM		U.S. Pacific Command
USSOCOM		U.S. Special Operations Command
USSOUTHCOM	U.S. Southern Command
USSPACOM	U.S. Space Command
USTRANSCOM	U.S. Transportation Command
UTACCS		U.S. Army Europe Theater Automated Command Control System
UT		Universal Time
UTE		Unmanned Threat Emitter
UTM		Universal Transverse Mercator
UTSS		Universal Threat System for Simulators
UUCP		Unix-to-Unix Copy
UW		Unconventional Warfare
UWEF		Underwater Evaluation Facility

V

VA			Veteran's Affairs, Department of
VAFB		Vandenberg Air Force Base
VCI		Virtual Channel Identifier
VEMPS		Vertically Polarized Electromagnetic Pulse Simulator
VGDEM		Variable Generalized Digital Environmental Model
VHF		Very High Frequency
VHO		Very High Orbit
VHSIC		Very High Speed Integrated Circuit
VISTA		Variable Stability In-Flight Simulator Test Aircraft
VM		Virtual Memory
VME		Virtual Memory Extender
VMS		Vertical motion simulator
VMU		Voice Message Unit
VR		Virtual Reality
VSF		Vetronics Simulation Facility
VSR		Visual Stimulation Research
VSWR		Voltage Standing Wave Ratio
V&V		Verification and Validation
VV&A		Verification, Validation and Accreditation
VV&C		Verification, Validation and Certification
VSAT		Very Small Aperture Terminal

W

WAN		Wide Area Network
WARSIM		Warfighters Simulation
WATM		Wireless ATM
WB		WAR Breaker
WBSS		Wideband Digital Switching System
WBSV		Wideband Secure Voice
WEAM		Weapons Effectiveness Analysis Model
WES		Waterways Experiment Station
WEST		Weapons Effectiveness Simulated Threat
WGS 84		World Geodetic System 1984
WINDS		Weather in Distributed Interactive 
WIN-T		Warfighter Information Network - Terrestrial
WMD		Weapons of Mass Destruction
WORM		Write Once Read Many
WPC		Warrior Preparation Center
WPE		Word Processing Equipment 
WRDB		Water Resources Data Base
WSMC		Western Space and Missile Center
WTR		Western Test Range (See WSMC)
WWMCCS		World Wide Military Command and Control System
WWOLS		World Wide On-Line System
WWW		World Wide Web

X


Y

YPG		Yuma Proving Ground

Z

ZULU		Greenwich Meantime


PART II
DEFINITIONS


Glossary - A

3-D.  Three-dimensional, refers to the visual display that exhibits
breadth, height and thickness or depth.  Standard 2-D computer images and
television displays create a flat image with only height and breadth. 
[DSMC 2]

6 DOF. Six degrees of freedom, refers to the number of simultaneous directions or inputs a sensor can measure. Typically used to describe the combination of spatial positions ( X, Y, Z) and orientation (roll, pitch, yaw). [DSMC 2]

Absorbing Markov Chain Model. A Markov chain model that has at least one absorbing state and in which from every state it is possible to get to at least one absorbing state. [DIS; IEEE]

Absorbing State. In a Markov chain model, a state that cannot be left once it is entered. [DIS; IEEE]

Abstraction. Abstraction denotes the essential characteristics of an object that distinguish it from all other kinds of objects and thus provide crisply defined conceptual boundaries, relative to the perspective of the user. [DMSO 93 SAFOR Survey]

Accessibility. The ease of approaching, entering, or obtaining. [DoD 8320.1-M-3]

Accreditation. The official certification that a model or simulation is acceptable for use for a specific purpose. [DoDD 5000.59; JCS Pub 1-02; DODI 5000.XX; DIS; MSMP]

Accreditation Agent. The organization designated by the accreditation sponsor to conduct an accreditation assessment for a M&S application. [DoDI 5000.XX]

Accreditation Authority. An individual occupying a position with the appropriate rank, grade, responsibility and/or authority to accredit a model, simulation, or federation of models and/or simulations for a particular purpose or purposes. [DoDI 5000.XX]

Accreditation Process. The procedure followed by the M&S application sponsor that culminates in the accreditation determination. [DA PAM 5- 11]

Accreditation Sponsor. The DoD Component or other organization with the responsibility for accrediting a model, simulation, or federation of models and/or simulations for a specific use or series of uses (e.g., for joint training or a Defense Acquisition Board milestone review). [DoDI 5000.XX]

Accuracy. The degree of exactness of a model or simulation, high accuracy implying low error. [DIS]

Action Plans. A plan for addressing one of the sub-objectives identified in the main body of the DoD M&S Master Plan. Each Action Plan outlines the needs associated with its subj-objective, states a vision or target state to be reached to address those needs, and a road map that outlines current, planned, or suggested activities that must be performed to reach the target state. [MSMP]

Activity. In modeling and simulation, a task that consumes time and resources and whose performance is necessary for a system to move from one event to the next. [IEEE]

Activity-Based Simulation. A discrete simulation that represents the components of a system as they proceed from activity to activity; for example, a simulation in which a manufactured product moves from station to station in an assembly line. [DIS, IEEE]

Activity Models. Models of the processes that make up the functional activity showing inputs, outputs, controls, and mechanisms through which the processes of the functional activity are (or will be) conducted. [DoD 8320.1-M]

Ada. A high order computer language designed and developed to DoD requirements for modular standard language. While the original focus was for real-time embedded software, Ada has also been used for a variety of other software systems including some simulation systems. [DSMC 1]

Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD). Technology demonstrations that are tightly focused on specific military concepts and that provide the incorporation of technology into a warfighting system is still at an informal stage. The ACTDs have three motivations: 1) to have the user gain an understanding of and to evaluate the military utility before committing to acquisition; 2) to develop corresponding concepts of operation and doctrine that make best use of the new capability; and 3) to provide the residual operational capability to the forces. ACTDs are of militarily significant scope and of a size sufficient to establish utility. [Defense S&T Strategy (draft), 1994]

Advanced Distributed Simulation (ADS). A set of disparate models or simulations operating in a common synthetic environment in accordance with the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) standards. The ADS may be composed of three modes of simulation: live, virtual and constructive which can be seamlessly integrated within a single exercise. See also: live simulation; virtual simulation; constructive simulation. [DIS]

Aggregate Level Simulation Protocol (ALSP). A family of simulation interface protocols and supporting infrastructure software that permit the integration of distinct simulations and war games. Combined, the interface protocols and software enable large-scale, distributed simulations and war games of different domains to interact at the combat object and event level. The most widely known example of an ALSP confederation is the Joint/Service Training Confederation (CBS, AWSIM, JECEWSI, RESA, MTWS, TACSIM, CSSTSS) which has provided the backbone to many large, distributed, simulation-supported exercises. Other examples of ALSP confederations include confederations of analytical models that have been formed to support US Air Force, US Army, and US TRANSCOM studies. [MSMP]

Aggregation. The ability to group entities while preserving the effects of entity behavior and interaction while grouped. See also: disaggregation. [MSMP]

Algorithm. A prescribed set of well-defined, unambiguous rules or processes for the solution of a problem in a finite number of steps. [AFI 16-102; DSMC 1]

Algorithm Checks. A rigorous verification of the mathematics of an algorithm to ensure freedom from any errors in the expression (e.g., incorrect signs, incorrect variables applied in the equations, derivation errors) and to ensure that the algorithms are consistent with their stated intents. [DIS]

Alternate Key. Property or characteristic that can be used as a secondary identifier for an entity or entity class. [DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Analytical Model. A model consisting of a set of solvable equations; for example, a system of solvable equations that represents the laws of supply and demand in the world market.[IEEE; DIS]

Architecture. The structure of components in a program/system, their interrelationships, and the principles and guidelines governing their design and evolution over time. [MSMP; IEEE Standard 610.12]

Artificial Intelligence (AI). The part of computer science concerned with designing intelligent computer systems, that is, systems that exhibit the characteristics usually associated with intelligence in human behavior -- understanding language, learning, reasoning, solving problems, and so on. [Hndbk of Artfcl Intell]

Associative Entity. An entity that inherits its primary key from two or more other entities (those that are associated). An associative entity is used to represent many-to-many relationships. [JDBE]

Asynchronous Transmission. Transmission in which each information character is individually synchronized (usually by the use of start elements and stop elements). [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng, Pub 9]

Asynchronous Transfer Mode ATM). A multiplexing protocol based on a small 53-byte fixed-length cell designed to efficiently transfer several sources of data over a single carrier at high speeds. [IDA ADS Paper]

Atmosphere. A kind of mission space entity. The mass of air surrounding the earth and the features embedded within it, including clouds, smoke, and fog. [DMSO-ERTWG]

Attribute. A property or characteristic of one or more entities; for example, COLOR, WEIGHT, SEX. Also, a property inherent in an entity or associated with that entity for database purposes. [DoD 8320.1-M; DoD 8320.1-M-1; FIPS Pub 11-3]

Attribute Fidelity. An enumerated value representing the degree of the object state uncertainty inherent in published values of the attribute. [DMSO-HLA] Attribute Overloading. The ability of an attribute to carry one of two or more separate facts. [JDBE]

Attribute Ownership. The property of a simulation that gives it the responsibility to publish values for a particular object attribute. [DMSO- HLA]

Attributive Entity. An entity that has the same primary key as the parent and additional attributes that eliminate the occurrence of repeating groups in the parent. [DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Authoritative Data Source. A data source whose products have undergone producer data VV&C activities. [Army-TRADOC]

Authoritative Representation. Models, algorithms, and data that have been developed or approved by a source which has accurate technical knowledge of the entity or phenomenon to be modeled and its effects.[MSMP -- Chapter 4 Footnote]

Automated Forces (AFOR). The most automated of the computer generated forces which requires little or no human interaction. [MSMP]

Automated Information System (AIS). A combination of computer hardware and computer software, data, and/or telecommunications that performs functions such as collecting, processing, storing, transmitting, and displaying information. Excluded are computerresources, both hardware and software, that are: physically part of, dedicated to, or essential in real time to the mission performance of weapon systems; used for weapon system specialized training, simulation, diagnostic test and maintenance, or calibration; or used for research and development of weapon systems. [DoD 8320.1-M]

Autonomous. A battlefield entity which does not require the presence of another battlefield entity in order to conduct its own simulation in the battlefield environment is said to be autonomous. All DIS compliant battlespace entities are autonomous in that they are responsible for creating their own view of the environment. [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng Pub 6]


Glossary - B

Battlefield Entity.   A simulation entity which corresponds to actual
equipment, supplies, and personnel that can be seen or sensed on a real
battlefield. Platform level battlefield entities include aircraft ships,
armor vehicles, dismounted infantry soldiers, guided missiles, command
posts, trucks, etc. Unit level entities, such as platoons, companies, etc.
can be considered as battlefield entities, but they will not be DIS
compliant until the standards are broadened to incorporate them. A
battlefield entity incorporates a direct soldier/machine interface which
replicates the soldier/machine interface of the actual battlefield entity.
[MSETT]

Battlespace. Battlespace refers both to the physical environment in which the simulated warfare will take place and the forces that will conduct the simulated warfare. All elements which support the front line forces (e.g., logistics, intelligence) are included in this definition of battlespace. [MSMP]

Battlespace Data Base. Database which defines the specific domain of an engagement. It includes the parametric data needed to generate an operating version of the SIMWORLD. When combined with the SESSION data base (which provides the scenario and other simulation specific data), the BATTLESPACE can generate an exercise. The BATTLESPACE in all caps is used as a shortened notation for "Battlespace Data Base." [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng Pub 6]

Battlespace Entity. A simulation entity which corresponds to actual equipment, supplies, and personnel that can be seen or sensed on a real battlefield. [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng, Pub 3]

Behavior. For a given object, how attribute value changes effect (or are effected by) the object attribute value changes of the same or other objects. [DMSO-HLA]

Benchmark. The activity of comparing the results of a model or simulation with an accepted representation of the process being modeled. [DIS]

Benchmarking. The comparison between a model's output and the outputs of other models or simulations, all of which represent the same input and environmental conditions. [MORS; SMART]

Best Effort Service. A communication service in which transmitted data is not acknowledged. Such data typically arrives in order, complete and without errors. However, if an error occurs, or a packet is not delivered, nothing is done to correct it (e.g., there is no retransmission). [IEEE 1278.1]

Bit. The smallest unit of information in the binary system of notation. [DIS; IEEE 1278.1]

Black Box Model. A model whose inputs, outputs, and functional performance are known, but whose internal implementation is unknown or irrelevant; for example, a model of a computerized change-return mechanism in a vending machine, in the form of a table that indicates the amount of change to be returned for each amount deposited. Syn: input/output model. Contrast with: glass box model. [DIS; IEEE]

Boundary Condition. The values assumed by the variables in a system, model, or simulation when one or more of them is at a limiting value at the edge of the domain of interest. Contrast with: final condition; initial condition. [DIS; IEEE]

Broadcast. A transmission model in which a single message is sent to all network destinations, i.e., one-to-all. Broadcast is a special case of multicast. Contrast with: multicast; unicast. [DIS; IEEE 1278.2]

Browsing. Opportunity for users to freely examine and peruse through the contents of a database. [DMSO]

Built-in-Simulation. A special-purpose simulation provided as a component of a simulation language; for example, a simulation of a bank that can be made specific by stating the number of tellers, number of customers, and other parameters. [DIS; IEEE]

Built-in-Simulator. A simulator that is built-in to the system being modeled; for example, an operator training simulator built into the control panel of a power plant such that the system can operate in simulator mode or in normal operating mode. [DIS; IEEE] Bundling. The process of packing separate Protocol Data Units (PDU) into composite or aggregated PDU. Contrast with: unbundling. [DIS]

Business Rule. A statement or fact that defines the constraints and relationships between data elements. [DoD 8320.1-M-X]


Glossary - C

C++ (C-Plus-Plus).  A high order computer language used extensively in
commercial software.  C++ is an object oriented extension to the C
language.  [DSMC 1]

Candidate Key. An attribute or group of attributes that might be chosen as a primary key. [JDBE]

Cardinality. A statement of the number of entity instances that may or must participate at each end of a relationship. [JDBE]

Cardinality. Number of objects in the simulation. [DMSO]

Catalogue. An enumeration of M&S data, or other items arranged systematically with descriptive details such as setup time, running time, developer, point of contact, etc. [Army; DMSO]

Category I. A time management discipline that generally computes simulation time as the combination of scaled wall clock time plus an offset value. Category I simulations are often referred to as real time simulations. [DMSO-HLA]

Category II. A time management discipline that generally computes simulation time as a function of the most recent value of simulation time and the simulation's current state. Category II simulations are often referred to as logical time simulations. [DMSO-HLA]

Cell. A cell is a set of simulation entities using fully consistent databases and simulations, i.e. the simulation models have been specifically designed to work together. All entities within a cell must have unrestricted broadcast of datagram messages to all other entities within the cell. By definition, the entities in a cell are homogeneous, and at the same security classification level. For example, a set of interconnected SIMNET simulators using the same terrain database constitute a cell. A cell is usually located on a single local network, but it is possible to distribute one over a wide area network if sufficient bandwidth is available and latency is low enough to maintain coherency. If any type of interface is required to network with a remote site, the two sites are different cells. [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng Pub 6] Cell Interface Unit (CIU). A processing module which interfaces a Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) Standard Cell with the virtual network. One device is required for each standard cell. CIUs provide intercell services such as message filtering, translation of messages, data compression, and aggregation/deaggregation of simulation entities operating at different representation levels. [MSETT-Intro to Netwk Pub 6]

Cell Adapter Unit (CAU). A CAU interfaces a non-standard cell with the virtual network. It is functionally equivalent to a CIU, except that it adapts non-DIS cells to the DIS network by translating their messages to DIS PDUs and performs other services necessary to make their output DIS complaint. It also translates DIS PDUs into the format needed by the non- standard cells. [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng Pub 6]

Central Station. A computer connected to a local area network that transmits/receives simulation management protocol data units at the direction of the simulation manager. [MSETT - Pub 3]

Class. A description of a group of objects with similar properties, common behavior, common relationships, and common semantics. [DMSO]

Class Word. A word in the name of a data element describing the category to which the data element belongs; e.g., "date", "name", "code." The word establishes the general structure and domain of a standard data element.[DoD 8320.1-M-1; DoD 8320.1-M-X; NBS Special Pub 500-149]

Closed-form Solution. A closed-form solution for representing time in dynamic models is a method in which the states or statuses of resources are described as explicit and computationally tractable functions of time. Thus, the status of a resource at time "t" can be found by evaluating the appropriate function at "t", without having to simulate combat from the start of that combat through time "t". [SIMTAX]

Code Verification. A rigorous audit of all compilable code to ensure that the representations of verified logic have been properly implemented in the computer code. [DA PAM 5-11; DSMC]

Coenetic Variable. In modeling, a variable that affects both the system under consideration and that system's environment. [IEEE]

Cohesion. Cohesion refers to the degree to which the contents of a module are logically related. [DMSO 93 SAFOR Survey]

Combatant Command (s). One of the unified or specified combatant commands established by the President of the United States. (Combatant Commands currently include: US Atlantic Command (USACOM); US Central Command (USCENTCOM); US European Command (USEUCOM); US Pacific Command (USPACOM); US Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM); US Space Command (USSPACOM); US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM); US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM); and, US Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM)). [DoDD 5000.59; MSMP; DoDI 5000.XX]

Command and Control Warfare (C2W). The integrated use of operations security (OPSEC), military deception, psychological operations (PSYOP), electronic warfare (EW), and physical destruction, mutually supported by intelligence, to deny information to, influence, degrade, or destroy adversary C2 capabilities, while protecting friendly C2 capabilities against such actions. [MSMP]

Command Forces (CFOR). An ARPA ADS Program with the goal to represent C4I in DIS. [MSMP]

Commander-in-Chief (CINC). A position established under the authority of Title 10, United States Code, to designate an officer assigned by the President as the commander of a Combatant Command and who is directly responsible to the President of the United States and Secretary of Defense for the performance of missions assigned to that command by the President or by the Secretary of Defense with the approval of the President. Subject to the direction of the President, the commander of a combatant command (a) performs his duties under the authority, direction, and control of the Secretary of Defense and (b) is directly responsible to the Secretary of Defense for the preparedness of the command to carry out missions assigned to the command. [DoDD 5000.59; MSMP; DoDI 5000.XX]

Common Data Base. A general term used to describe the collection of DIS compliant data base libraries, specifications and standards. Exercise data bases (including all cell and intercell data bases) draw from the DIS CDB and are constrained by the standards imposed by the DIS CDB. [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng Pub 6]

Common-Use M&S. M&S applications, services, or materials provided by a DoD Component to two or more DoD Components.[DoDD 5000.59; DODI 5000.XX]

Complex Data. Data that cannot be characterized as a single concept, atomic data element as defined in DoD 8320.1-M-1. Complex data includes most scientific and technical data. It has been recently categorized by the Complex Data Task Force into: (a) highly derived data (e.g., probability hit/kill); (b) objects utilizing the concepts of multiple inheritance (e.g., student-assistant is subclass of student class and employee class), multiple root hierarchies (e.g., a tank is a vehicle and a tank is a weapon where "vehicle" and "weapon" are each roots), and polymorphic attributes (e.g., "capacity" for different types of aircraft may mean number of people, pounds of cargo, or gallons of fuel); (c) compositions such as command hierarchies, road networks, images (binary large objects (BLOBS), compound documents; and (d) artifacts of legacy systems and physical constraints (e.g., aircraft category and mission in one data element, intelligence facility code where the first few bytes define how the rest of the field is used. [MSMP]

Composite Attribute. A single attribute that is composed of a specific set of identifiable pieces of information; e.g., an address made up of a street number, city, state, and zip code. [JDBE]

Composition. amed subset of the simulations in a particular federation intended to achieve some particular objective distinct from the federation. [DMSO-HLA]

Compression. Any of several techniques that reduce the number of bits required to represent information in data transmission or storage, therefore conserving bandwidth and/or memory, wherein the original form of the information can be reconstructed; also called compaction. [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng, Pub 11]

Computational Model. A model consisting of well-defined procedures that can be executed on a computer; for example, a model of the stock market, in the form of a set of equations and logic rules. [IEEE]

Computer Generated Forces (CGF). A generic term used to refer to computer representations of forces in simulations which attempts to model human behavior sufficiently so that the forces will take some actions automatically (without requiring man-in-the-loop interaction). Also referred to as Semi-automated Forces (SAFOR). DoD programs addressing various levels of computer automation of forces include CFOR, IFOR, and ModSAF.

Computer Hardware. Devices capable of accepting and storing computer data, executing a systematic sequence of operations on computer data, or producing control outputs. Such devices can perform substantial interpretation, computation, communication, control, or other logical functions. [DoD Std 2167A]

Computer Resources. The totality of computer hardware, firmware, software, personnel, documentation, supplies, services, and support services applied to a given effort. [DoDI 5000.2]

Computer Simulation. A dynamic representation of a model, often involving some combination of executing code, control/display interface hardware, and interfaces to real-world equipment. [DMSO]

Computer Software (or Software). A combination of associated computer instructions and computer data definitions required to enable the computer hardware to perform computational or control functions. [DoDI 5000.2]

Computer Software Documentation. Technical data or information, including computer listings and printouts, which documents the requirements, design, or details of computer software, explains the capabilities and limitations of the software, or provides operation instructions for using or supporting computer software during the software's operational life. [DoDI 5000.2]

Computer War Game. A technique by which different concepts, different pieces of hardware, or different military plans can be investigated in a multi-sided confrontation using a computer to generated displays of the battlefield and perform computations of outcomes. [AFI 16-102; DSMC 1]

Conceptual Model. A statement of the content and internal representations which are the user's and developer's combined concept of the model. It includes logic and algorithms and explicitly recognizes assumptions and limitations. [DIS]

Conceptual Schema. Descriptive representation of data and data requirements that supports the "logical" view or data administrator's view of the data requirement. This view is represented as a semantic model of the information that is stored about objects of interest to the functional area. This view is an integrated definition of the data that is unbiased toward any single application of data and is independent of how the data is physically stored or accessed. [DoD 8320.1-M]

Concrete Model. A model in which at least one component represented is a tangible object; for example, a physical replica of a building. [DIS; IEEE]

Concurrent Engineering. current engineering is a systematic approach to the integrated, concurrent design of products and their related processes, including manufacture and support. This approach is intended to cause the developers, from the outset, to consider all elements of the product life cycle from conception through disposal, including quality, cost, schedule, and user requirements. [Rpt of PAT on Military Specifications & Standards, Apr 94]

Concurrency. The property that distinguishes an active object from one that is not active. [DMSO 93 SAFOR Survey]

Condition. The values assumed at a given instant by the variables in a system, model, or simulation. See also: boundary condition; final condition; initial condition; state. [IEEE; DIS]

Conditional Event. A sequentially dependent event that will occur only if some other event has already taken place. See also: time-dependent event. [IEEE; DIS]

Configuration. A collection of an item's descriptive and governing characteristics, which can be expressed a) in functional terms, i.e., what performance the item is expected to achieve; and (b) in physical terms, i.e., what the item should look like and consist of when it is built. [DoDI 5000.2]

Configuration Item (CI). An aggregation of hardware, firmware, or computer software or any of their discrete portions, which satisfies an end use function and is designated by the Government for separate configuration management. Configuration items may vary widely in complexity, size, and type, from an aircraft, electronic, or ship system to a test meter or round of ammunition. Any item required for logistic support and designated for separate procurement is a configuration item. [DoDI 5000.2]

Configuration Management. The application of technical and administrative direction and surveillance to identify and document the functional and physical characteristics of a model or simulation, control changes, and record and report change processing and implementation status. [DA PAM 5-11; Army Mstr Plan; USMC Mstr Plan]

Consistency. Data is maintained so that it is free from variation or contradiction. [DoD 8320.1-M; DoD 8320.1-M-3]

Constant. A quantity or data item whose value cannot change. [IEEE]

Constructive Model or Simulation. See Live, Virtual and Constructive Simulation. [MSMP]

Continuous Model. A mathematical or computational model whose output variables change in a continuous manner. [IEEE; DIS]

Continuous Simulation. A simulation that uses a continuous model. [DIS; IEEE]

Continuous System. A system for which the state variables change continuously with respect to time. [DSMC 1]

Control Station. Facility which provides the individual responsible for controlling the simulation and which provides the capability to implement simulation control as Protocol Data Units (PDUs) on the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) network. [DIS]

Controllability. In respect to user interface of SAFORs, this is the ability of a user to dynamically change the tactics or behavior of a force during the course of an exercise easily and efficiently, or to stop and restart an exercise from some interim point in time. [IDA ADS Paper]

Cooperative Development. roject in which two or more DoD Components share in domain research, technical studies, or technology development that may result in dissimilar M&S applications.[DoDD 5000.59; DODI 5000.XX; DSMC 1; MSETT]

Coordinate. Linear or angular quantities which designate the position that a point occupies in a given reference frame or system. Also used as a general term to designate the particular kind of reference frame or system, such as Cartesian coordinates or spherical coordinates. [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng, Pub 12]

Cost and Operational Effectiveness Analysis (COEA). An analysis of the estimated costs and operational effectiveness of alternative materiel systems to meet a mission need and the associated program for acquiring each alternative. [DoDI 5000.2; AFI 16-102]

Critical Event Simulation. A simulation that is terminated by the occurrence of a certain event; for example, a model depicting the year-by- year forces leading up to a volcanic eruption, that is terminated when the volcano in the model erupts. See also: time-slice simulation. [DIS; IEEE]

Cross-Functional Integration. The melding of acquisition functions (such as design analysis with logistics analysis) involving shared modeling and simulation data and information. [DSMC 1]

Cultural Features. Features of the environment that have been constructed by man. Included are such items as roads, buildings, canals, marker buoys; boundary lines, and, in a broad sense, all names and legends on a map. [DMSO-ERTWG]

Cybernetics. The study of human control functions and the mechanical and electronic systems designed to replace or emulate them, including computers. "Cyber," as a prefix, denotes anything related to computer environments, especially things that involve extensive interaction by the user. [DSMC 2]

Cyberspace. Any shared reality based computer connections. While virtual reality is a form of cyberspace, cyberspace is not a virtual reality. Also, a science-fiction term coined by William Gibson in his book Neuromancer to describe a virtual universe within a global computer network allegorical to the current telephone system, but providing a multisensory experience of "being there," not just an auditory experience. [DSMC 2]


Glossary - D

Data.   A representation of facts, concepts, or instructions in a formalized
manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing by
humans or by automatic means.  [DoD 8320.1-M; DoD 8320.1-M-1; DoD
8320.1-M-X; DIS; FIPS Pub 11-3]  

Data Administration (DAdm). The responsibility for definition, organization, supervision, and protection of data within an enterprise or organization. [DoDD 8320.1; DoD 8320.1-M]

Data Administrator (DAd). A person or group that ensures the utility of data used within an organization by defining data policies and standards, planning for the efficient use of data, coordinating data structures among organizational components, performing logical database design, and defining data security procedures. [DoDD 8320.1; DoD 8320.1-M; DoD 8320.1-M-1; DoD 8320.1-M-X; NBS Special Pub 500-152]

Data Architecture. The framework for organizing and defining the interrelationships of data in support of an organization's missions, functions, goals, objectives, and strategies. Data architectures provide the basis for the incremental, ordered design and development of databases based on successively more detailed levels of data modeling. [DoD 8320.1-M; DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Data Attribute. A characteristic of a unit of data such as length, value, or method of representation. [DoD 8320.1-M-1; FIPS Special Pub 500-152]

Data Center. An organization which serves as a conduit between data sources and data customers. The data center may transform these data as necessary to meet the operational requirements, format, security, and data VV&C provisions of its sources and supported users.[Army]

Data Certification. The determination that data have been verified and validated. Data user certification is the determination by the application sponsor or designated agent that data have been verified and validated as appropriate for the specific M&S usage. Data producer certification is the determination by the data producer that data have been verified and validated against documented standards or criteria. [MSMP]

Data Collection. The process of obtaining information that supports a functional activity, or information requirement. [DoD 8320.1-M]

Data Customer. An organization which uses data from a data source or center. [Army]

Data Dictionary. A specialized type of database containing metadata that is managed by a data dictionary system; a repository of information describing the characteristics of data used to design, monitor, document, protect, and control data in information systems and databases; an application of a data dictionary system. [DoDD 8320.1; DoD 8320.1-M-1; DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Data Dictionary System. An automated system such as an IRDS that can support one or more data dictionaries. A system specifically designed for managing a data dictionary. [NBS Special Pub 500-152; I/DB]

Data Element. A basic unit of information having a meaning and subcategories (data items) of distinct units and values (e.g., address). [JCS Pub 1-02; DoDD 8320.1; I/DB]

Data Element Standardization. The process of documenting, reviewing and approving unique names, definitions, characteristics and representations of data elements according to established procedures and conventions. [DoD 8320.1-M-1; DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Data Exchange Standard. Formally defined protocols for the format and content of data messages used for interchanging data between networked simulation and/or simulator nodes used to create and operate a distributed, time and space coherent synthetic environment. Current standards are ALSP and DIS PDUs. [Army Mstr Plan]

Data Entity. An object of interest to the enterprise, usually tracked by an automated system. [DoD 8320.1-M; DoD 8320.1-M-1; NBS Special Pub 500- 149]

Data Integrity. In information processing, the condition in which data is accurate, current, consistent, and complete [DoD 8320.1-M]

Data Logger. A device that accepts Protocol Data Units (PDUs) from the network and stores them for later replay on the network in the same time sequence as the PDUs were originally received. See also: Protocol Data Unit. [DIS; IEEE 1278.3]

Data Model. In a database, the user's logical view of the data in contrast to the physically stored data, or storage structure. A description of the organization of data in a manner that reflects the information structure of an enterprise. [DoD 8320.1-M; DoD 8320.1-M-1; FIPS Pub 11-3]

Data Quality. The correctness, timeliness, accuracy, completeness, relevance, and accessibility that make data appropriate for use. [DoD 8320.1-M; MSMP]

Data Repository. A specialized database containing information about data, such as meaning, relationships to other data, origin, usage, and format, including the information resources needed by an organization. [DoD 8320.1-M]

Data Security. The protection of data from accidental or intentional modification or destruction and from accidental or intentional disclosure to unauthorized personnel. [DoD 8320.1-M]

Data Source. organization or subject matter expert who, because of either mission or expertise, serves as a data producer. [Army TRADOC]

Data Standardization. The process of documenting, reviewing, and approving unique names, definitions, characteristics and representations of data according to established procedures and conventions. [DoD 8320.1- M; DoD 8320.1-M-1]

Data Standards. A capability that increase information sharing effectiveness by establishing standardization of data elements, database construction, accessibility procedures, system communication, data maintenance and control. [Army Mstr Plan]

Data Steward. Syn: data administrator.

Data Structure. The logical relationships which exist among units of data and the descriptive features defined for those relationships and data units; an instance or occurrence of a data model. [DoD 8320.1-M-1; DoD 8320.1-M-X; NBS Special Pub 500-152]

Data Synchronization. The timing requirements of a data element, or between and/or among data elements. [DoD 8320.1-M]

Data Validation. The documented assessment of data by subject area experts and its comparison to known values. Data user validation is an assessment as appropriate for use in an intended model. Data producer validation is an assessment within stated criteria and assumptions. [DIS; MSMP]

Data Value. A value associated with a data element. One of the allowable values of a data element. Synonym of "a data item." [DoD 8320.1]

Data Verification. Data producer verification is the use of techniques and procedures to ensure that data meets constraints defined by data standards and business rules derived from process and data modeling. Data user verification is the use of techniques and procedures to ensure that data meets user specified constraints defined by data standards and business rules derived from process and data modeling, and that data are transformed and formatted properly. [MSMP]

Data Verification, Validation & Certification (VV&C). The process of verifying the internal consistency and correctness of data, validating that it represents real world entities appropriate for its intended purpose or an expected range of purposes, and certifying it as having a specified level of quality or as being appropriate for a specified use, type of use, or range of uses. The process has two perspectives: producer and user process. [MSMP]

Database. A collection of interrelated data, often with controlled redundancy, organized according to a schema to serve one or more applications; the data are stored so that they can be used by different programs without concern for the data structure or organization. A common approach is used to add new data and to modify and retrieve existing data.[DoD 8320.1-M; DoD 8320.1-M-1; DoD 8320.1-M-X; FIPS Pub 11-3]

Database Administration (DBAdm). The activity responsible for the enforcement of the policies and standards established by the data administrator, to include providing technical support for physical database definition, design, implementation, maintenance, integrity, and security; and coordinating with computer operations technicians, system developers, vendors, and users. Database administration is oriented toward technical support for databases and the effective and efficient use of information technology resources.[DoD 8320.1-M]

Database Administrator (DBAd). A person or group that enforces policy of "how," "where," and "in what manner," data is stored and maintained in each database. Provides information to the Data Administrator (DA) on organizational use of data within the subject database. [DoDD 8320.1; I/DB]

Database Directory. A database of entries each of which represents information about a database or a directory of databases. Information includes the name of a database or directory, ownership, point of contact, access path to the database or directory, description of purpose of database, etc. [I/DB]

Database Management System (DBMS). A system that provides the functionality to support the creation, access, maintenance, and control of databases, and that facilitates the execution of application programs using data from these databases.[I/DB]

Dead Reckoning. The process of extrapolating emulation entity position/orientation based on the last known position/orientation, velocity, and (sometimes) higher-order derivatives of position vs. time and/or other vehicle dynamic characteristics. Syn: remote entity approximation (REA). [DIS]

Deaggregate. See: disaggregate.

Defense Simulation Internet (DSI). A wide-band telecommunications network operated over commercial lines with connectivity to both military and civilian satellites, allowing users to be linked on a world- wide wide-area network (WAN). [Master Plan]

Dependent Variable. A variable whose value is dependent on the values of one or more independent variables. Contrast with: independent variable. [DIS; IEEE]

Derived Federation Object Model (DFOM). A selected set of details derived from the Federation Object Model that are important to the correct operation of the Runtime Infrastructure (RTI). [DMSO-HLA]

Descriptive Model. A model used to depict the behavior or properties of an existing system or type of system; for example, a scale model or written specification used to convey to potential buyers the physical and performance characteristics of a computer. Contrast with: prescriptive model. [DIS; IEEE]

Deterministic. Pertaining to a process, model, simulation or variable whose outcome, result, or value does not depend upon chance. Contrast with: stochastic. [DIS]

Deterministic Algorithm. A process that yields a unique and predictable outcome for a given set of inputs.[AFI 16-102; DSMC 1]

Deterministic Model. A model in which the results are determined through known relationships among the states and events, and in which a given input will always produce the same output; for example, a model depicting a known chemical reaction. Contrast with: stochastic model. [DIS; IEEE]

Digital Simulation. (l) A simulation that is designed to be executed on a digital system. (2) A simulation that is designed to be executed on an analog system but that represents a digital system . (3) A simulation of a digital circuit. Contrast with: analog simulation. See also: hybrid simulation. [DIS; IEEE]

Disaggregate. An activity which decomposes an aggregate entity into multiple entities. [DIS]

Disaggregation. The ability to represent the behavior of an aggregated unit in terms of its component entities. If the aggregate representation did not maintain state representations of the individual entities, then the decomposition into the entities can only be notional. [MSMP]

Discrete Model. A mathematical or computational model whose output variables take on only discrete values; that is, in changing from one value to another, they do not take on the intermediate values; for example, a model that predicts an organization's inventory levels based on varying shipments and receipts. Contrast with: continuous model. [DIS; IEEE] Discrete Simulation. A simulation that uses a discrete model. [DIS; IEEE]

Discrete System. A system for which the state variables change instantaneously at separated points in time. [AFI 16-102; DSMC 1]

Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS). (1) Program to electronically link organizations operating in the four domains: advanced concepts and requirements; military operations; research, development, and acquisition; and training. (2) A synthetic environment within which humans may interact through simulation(s) at multiple sites networked using compliant architecture, modeling, protocols, standards, and data bases. [M&S Mstr Plan]

Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) Compatible. Two or more simulations/simulators are DIS compatible if (1) they are DIS compliant and (2) their models and data that send and interpret PDUs support the realization of a common operational environment among the systems (coherent in time and space). [DIS {VVA Subgroup}]

Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) Compliant. A simulation/ simulator is DIS compliant if it can send and receive PDUs in accordance with IEEE Standard 1278 and 1278 (Working Drafts). A specific statement must be made regarding the qualifications of each PDU. [DIS{VVA Subgroup}]

Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) Control. A mechanism which assists users of Distributed Interactive Simulation to direct or dictate aspects of a DIS exercise. See also: distributed interactive simulation. [DIS]

Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) Network. simulation communications network created as a result of the connection of multiple Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) nodes during DIS exercises. [DIS]

Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) Network Interface Library. A software library required for an application to interface to the network at the revision level defined by the protocol data unit standard indicated. This is the common building block for all Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) architecture components. [DIS]

Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) Network Manager. A specified agency with the responsibility to manage the physical network used for distributed simulation. Responsibilities include: ensuring security of network; scheduling of utilization; establishing network priorities; monitoring execution of scheduled usage; coordinating functional, technical, and user communities' network requirements. [DIS]

Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) Protocol Data Unit (PDU). A standard that specifies the format and structure in which data will be organized. The general purpose is to facilitate the electronic transfer of data between agencies with software; specifically, DIS PDUs are designed to enable communications between different types of simulators, simulations, and models. The Institute for Simulation and Training (IST) is providing the lead in the development of the PDU architecture for DIS. [DIS]

Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) User/Sponsor. Customer requiring Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) resources to address training, testing, operational, or analysis objectives. [DIS]

DoD Components. The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the Military Departments, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant commands, the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies; and the DoD Field Activities. [DoDD 5000.59]

DoD M&S Executive Agent. A DoD Component to whom the USD(A&T) has assigned responsibility and delegated authority for the development and maintenance of a specific area of M&S application, including relevant standards and databases, used by or common to many models and simulations.[DoDD 5000.59; MSMP; DSMC 1]

DoD M&S Information System (MSIS). A distributed, internetted system of modeling and simulation repositories that have classified, unclassified, or both classified and unclassified M&S data and/or information that may be electronically accessed by authorized users. [DoDI 5000.XX]

DoD Publications. DoD issuances that implement or supplement DoD Directives and Instructions by providing uniform procedures for management or operational systems and disseminating administrative information. DoD Publications include: Catalogs, Directories, Guides, Handbooks, Indexes, Inventories, Lists, Manuals, Modules, Pamphlets, Plans, Regulations, and Standards that implement or supplement DoD Directives or Instructions. [DoDI 5000.XX]

Domain. The physical or abstract space in which the entities and processes operate. The domain can be land, sea, air, space, undersea, a combination of any of the above, or an abstract domain, such as an n- dimensional mathematics space, or economic or psychological domains. [SIMTAX]

Dynamic Model. A model of a system in which there is change, such as the occurrence of events over time or the movement of objects through space; for example, a model of a bridge that is subjected to a moving load to determine characteristics of the bridge under changing stress. [DIS; IEEE]

Dynamic Environment. The environment is constantly changing as a result of man-made efforts (battlefield smoke) and natural phenomenon (weather). Incorporating dynamic environment into real time simulations provides a more realistic test bed for weapons, equipment, and personnel. [Army Mstr Plan]


Glossary - E

Emitter.   A device that is able to discharge detectable electromagnetic or acoustic energy. [DIS; MSETT - Intro to Netwkng Pub 5]

Empirical. Pertaining to information that is derived from observation, experiment, or experience. [IEEE; DIS]

Emulate. To represent a system by a model that accepts the same inputs and produces the same outputs as the system represented. For example, to emulate an 8-bit computer with a 32-bit computer. [DIS; IEEE]

Emulation. (1) A model that accepts the same inputs and produces the same outputs as a given system; (2) The process of developing or using a model as in (1). See also: simulation. [IEEE; DIS;]

Emulator. A device, computer program, or system that performs emulation. [IEEE; DIS]

Encapsulation. The process of hiding the details of an object that do not contribute to its essential characteristics. [DMSO 93 SAFOR Survey]

Endogenous variable. A variable whose value is determined by conditions and events within a given model. Syn: internal variable. Contrast with: exogenous variable. [IEEE; DIS]

Enterprise. An arbitrarily-defined functional and administrative entity that exists to perform a specific, integrated set of missions and achieve associated goals and objectives, encompassing all of the primary functions necessary to perform those missions. [DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Enterprise Model. An information model(s) that presents an integrated top-level representation of processes, information flows, and data. [DoDD 8000.1; DoD 8320.1-M; DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Entity. A distinguishable person, place, thing, event, or concept about which information is kept. [JDBE]

Entity Coordinates. Location with respect to a simulation entity. [DIS]

Entity Perspective. The perception of the synthetic environment held by a simulation entity based on its knowledge of itself and its interactions with the other simulation entities. This includes not only its own view of the simulated physical environment (terrain, air, and sea), but also its own view of itself, the other entities in the synthetic environment, and of the effects of the other entities on itself and the synthetic environment. Syn: world view; battlefield view. [DIS]

Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD). The graphic representation of a data model. [DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Environment. The texture or detail of the domain, that is terrain relief, weather, day, night, terrain cultural features (such as cities or farmland), sea states, etc.); (2) the external objects, conditions, and processes that influence the behavior of a system (such as terrain relief, weather, day/night, terrain cultural features, etc.). [DIS]

Environmental Effect. The impact that the environment or environmental feature has on some component or process in the simulation exercise such as the propagation of energy and image formation, the performance of a weapon system, platform or sensor, or other non-visualized combat process. [DMSO-ERTWG]

Environmental Effect Model. A numerical model, parametric model, or database for simulating an environmental effect on an entity of a simulation exercise, such as a sensor or platform. [DMSO-ERTWG]

Environmental Entity. A simulation entity which corresponds to dynamic elements of the state of the geographic, atmospheric, and bathyspheric environment, of the synthetic environment, that can be seen or sensed on a real battlefield, for example, craters, smoke, building collapse, weather conditions, and sea state. [DIS]

Environmental Features. An individual element of the physical environment (e.g., a rain system, fog, cloud). [DMSO-ERTWG]

Environmental Model. A numerical model, parametric model, or database designed to produce an accurate and consistent data set for one or more parameters that characterize the state of the physical environment. [DMSO-ERTWG]

Environmental Representation. An authoritative representation of all or a part of the natural or man-made environment. [MSMP]

Environmental Simulation. A simulation that depicts all or part of the natural or manmade environment of a system; for example, a simulation of the radar equipment and other tracking devices that provide input to an aircraft tracking system. [IEEE]

Equilibrium. See: steady state. [DIS]

Error Model. (l) A model used to estimate or predict the extent of deviation of the behavior of an actual system from the desired behavior of the system; for example, a model of a communications channel, used to estimate the number of transmission errors that can be expected in the channel. (2) In software evaluation, a model used to estimate or predict the number of remaining faults, required test time, and similar characteristics of a system. [DIS; IEEE]

Euler Angles. A set of three angles used to describe the orientation of an entity as a set of three successive rotations about three different orthogonal axes (x, y, and z). The order of rotation is first about z by angle (psi), then about the new y by angle (theta), then about the newest x by angle (phi). Angles psi and phi range between +/- pi, while angle theta ranges only between +/- pi/2 radians. These angles specify the successive rotations needed to transform from the world coordinate system to the entity coordinate system. The positive direction of rotation about an axis is defined by the right-hand rule. [DIS]

Event. (1) An occurrence that causes a change of state in a simulation; See also: conditional event; time-dependent event. (2) The instant in time at which a change in some variable occurs. [IEEE; DIS]

Event-Oriented Simulation. A simulation in which attention is focused on the occurrence of events and the times at which those events occur; for example, a simulation of a digital circuit that focuses on the time of state transition. [DIS; IEEE]

Executive Agent. See DoD M&S Executive Agent. [MSMP]

Executive Council for Modeling and Simulations (EXCIMS). An organization established by the USD(A&T) and responsible for providing advice and assistance on DoD M&S issues. Membership is determined by the USD(A&T) and is at the Senior Executive Service, flag, and general officer level.[DoDD 5000.59; MSETT]

Exogenous Variable. A variable whose value is determined by conditions and events external to a given model. Syn: external variable. Contrast with: endogenous variable. [IEEE; DIS]

Expert System. An expert system is a knowledge collection combined with an inference engine capable of interpreting queries and chaining together separate items of knowledge to develop new inferences. The knowledge is typically causally represented as a system of rules. In some cases, expert systems can retrace their paths of inference on demand, thus explaining their conclusions and reasoning. [DSB Rpt May 1988]

Extensibility. The ability of a data structure to accommodate additional values or iterations of data over time without impacting its initial design. [DoD 8320.1-M; DoD 8320.1-M-3]

External Schema. A logical description of an enterprise that may differ from the conceptual schema upon which it is based in that some entities, attributes, or relationships may be omitted, renamed, or otherwise transformed. [DoD 8320.1-M]


Glossary - F

Face Validation.   The process of determining whether a model or
simulation based on performance, seems reasonable to people who are
knowledgeable about the system under study. This process does not review
the software code or logic, but rather reviews the inputs and outputs to
assure they appear realistic or representative. [DIS]

Fair Fight. Two or more simulations may be considered to be in a fair fight when differences in the simulations' performance characteristics have significantly less effect on the outcome of the conflict than actions taken by the simulation participants. Syn: level playing field. [DIS]

Fast Time. (l) Simulated time with the property that a given period of actual time represents more than that period of time in the system being modeled; for example, in a simulation of plant growth, running the simulation for one second may result in the model advancing time by one full day; that is, simulated time advances faster than actual time. (2) The duration of activities within a simulation in which simulated time advances faster than actual time. Contrast with: real time; slow time. [DIS; IEEE]

Feature. A static element of the synthetic environment which exists but does not actively participate in synthetic environment interactions. Features are represented in the implementation environment by cartographic databases that are used by simulation assets. Entities can interact with features (building them, destroying them, colliding with them, etc.), but features are passive in that they do not initiate action. When features are dynamic (e.g., dynamic terrain) they are called environment entities. See: environmental entity; synthetic environment. [DIS]

Federation. A system of interacting models and/or simulations, with supporting infrastructure, based on a common understanding of the objects portrayed in the system. [DoDI 5000.XX; DMSO-HLA]

Federation Element. Term applied to an individual model and/or simulation that is part of a federation of models and simulations. [DoDI 5000.XX]

Federation Execution. The actual operation, over time, of a federation execution set. [DMSO-HLA]

Federation Execution Set. A subset of the simulations and a Derived Federation Object Model taken from a particular federation. [DMSO]

Federation Time. The time used to coordinate the activities between federation members. Runtime Infrastructure (RTI) services are specified in terms of Federation Time and are independent of the discipline used by Federation members to advance to their individual temporal states. [DMSO-HLA]

Fidelity. (1) The similarity, both physical and functional, between the simulation and that which it simulates. (2) A measure of the realism of a simulation. (3) The degree to which the representation within a simulation is similar to a real world object, feature, or condition in a measurable or perceivable manner. See also: model/ simulation validation. [DIS; IEEE 1278.1]

Fidelity Domain. Resource that may affect the fidelity of a Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) exercise. (Examples are battle space entities, environments, hosts, and sites).[DIS]

Fidelity Management. A process to level the playing field (create a fair fight) by dynamically varying fidelity parameters of dissimilar simulators in a controlled fashion. See also: fair fight. [DIS]

Field. A series of contiguous bits treated as an instance of a particular data type that may be part of a higher level data structure. [DIS; MSETT - Intro to Netwkng, Pub 1]

Field Instrumentation. An internal or external recording, monitoring, and relaying device employed by live instrumented entities, usually platform, facility, or exercise-unique, and not typically part of the operational system or equipment. These devices provide an independent source of data to assess the performance of operational systems involved in the exercise. [DIS]

Filtering. Accepting or rejecting Protocol Data Units received on the network based upon specified criteria, which may be dynamically varied. Examples include geographical filtering and entity type filtering. [DIS] Final Condition. The values assumed by the variables in a system, model,or simulation at the completion of some specified duration of time. Syn: equilibrium condition. Contrast with: boundary condition; initial condition. [DIS; IEEE]

Final State. The values assumed by the state variables of a system, component, or simulation at the completion of some specified duration of time. [DIS; IEEE]

Firmware. The combination of a hardware device and computer instructions or computer data that reside as read-only software on the hardware device. The software cannot be readily modified under program control. [DoDI 5000.2]

Foreign Key. Property or characteristic of an entity or entity class that is inherited by another entity or entity class. Foreign keys show relationships between entities or entity classes. [DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Functional Area. A range of subject matter grouped under a single heading because of its similarity in use or genesis. [DoDD 8320.1]

Functional Process. A well-defined (or definable) set of logically related tasks and decisions within a functional activity that use resources to produce products or services. [DoD 8320.1-M]

Functional Process Improvement. lication of a structured methodology to define a function's "as is" and "to be" environments; current and future mission needs and end user requirements; objectives and a strategy for achieving those objectives; and a program of incremental and evolutionary improvements to processes, data, and supporting AISs that are implemented through functional, technical, and economic analysis and decision-making. [DoD 8320.1M]


Glossary - G

Game.   A physical or mental competition in which the participants, called
players, seek to achieve some objective within a given set of rules. See
also: game theory.  [DIS; IEEE]

Game Theory. (l) The study of situations involving competing interests, modeled in terms of the strategies, probabilities, actions, gains, and losses of opposing players in a game. See also: management game; war game. (2) The study of games to determine the probability of winning given various strategies. [DIS; IEEE]

Gateway. A device that connects two systems, especially if the systems use different protocols. For example, a gateway is needed to connect two independent local networks, or to connect a local network to a long-haul network.[MSETT - Intro to Netwkng, Pub 9]

Generic Domain. A domain type where the attribute is constrained only by the data type assigned by the data base management system (DBMS), or implied by the record type in a flat file, whichever is applicable. [JDBE]

Generic Element. A generic element is the part of a data element that establishes a structure and limits the allowable set of values of a data element. A generic element has no functional or application context other than to define a general class of data and ensure consistency in structure and domain. [DoD 8320.1-M-1; DoD 8320.1-M-X]

General-Use M&S Applications. Specific representations of the physical environment or environmental effects used by, or common to, many models and simulations; e.g., terrain, atmospheric, or hydrographic effects. [DoDD 5000.59; DIS; DODI 5000.XX;]

Glass Box Model. A model whose internal implementation is known and fully visible; for example, a model of a computerized change-return mechanism in a vending machine, in the form of a diagram of the circuits and gears that make the change. Contrast with: black box model. Syn: white box model. [DIS; IEEE]

Granularity. Fidelity and level of detail of objects and environment. See also: resolution. [FY93 Focus Call]

Graphical Model. A symbolic model whose properties are expressed in diagrams; for example, a decision tree used to express a complex procedure. Contrast with: mathematical model; narrative model; software model; tabular model. [DIS; IEE]

Guise. A function that provides the capability for an entity to be viewed with one appearance by one group of participants, and with another appearance by another group. [DIS; MSETT - Intro to Netwkng, Pub 1]

Ground Truth. The actual facts of a situation, without errors introduced by sensors or human perception and judgment. [DIS]


Glossary - H

Hanging Entity.   An independent entity which is not connected to any other
entity in the model.  [JDBE]

Haptic. Refers to all the physical sensors that provide a sense of touch at the skin level and force feedback information from muscles and joints. [DSMC 2]

Haptics. The design of clothing or exoskeletons that not only sense motions of body parts (e.g., fingers) but also provide tactile and force feedback for haptic perception of a virtual world. [OTA]

Heterogeneity. Diversity of objects and environments. [FY93 Focus Call]

Heterogeneous Network. A collection of simulations with partially consistent behaviors and/or partially correlated data bases. Examples include simulators of different fidelity, mixed virtual and live simulations, and mixes of virtual and constructive simulations. [DIS]

Heuristic. Relating to or using a problem-solving technique in which the most appropriate solution of several found by alternative methods is selected at successive stages of a program for use in the next step of the program. [DMSO]

Hierarchical Model. A model of information in which data are represented as trees of records connected by pointers. [JDBE]

Hierarchy. Hierarchy is a ranking or ordering of abstractions. [DMSO 93 SAFOR Survey]

High Level Architecture (HLA). Major functional elements, interfaces, and design rules, pertaining as feasible to all DoD simulation applications, and providing a common framework within which specific system architectures can be defined. [DMSO-HLA]

Higher Order Model (HOM). A computer model representing combat elements, their functions and/or the terrain they operate on in an aggregated manner. A HOM may represent a battalion as a specific entity which is a conglomeration or averaging of the characteristics of its real- world components. "Higher Order" generally refers to echelons battalion and above with greater than 100m resolution, e.g. 3km, and with faster than real-time performance (e.g., days compressed into minutes, hours into seconds). See: model order. See also: war game; constructive simulation. [DIS; MSETT - Intro to Netwkng Pub 6]

Homogeneous Network. A network of Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) objects with fully consistent behaviors and fully correlated data bases. [DIS]

Host or Host Computer. A computer that supports one or more simulation applications. All host computers participating in a simulation exercise are connected by network(s) including wide area networks, local area networks, and RF links. [DIS; IEEE 1278.2]

Human Factors. A body of scientific facts about human characteristics. The term covers all biomedical and psychological considerations; it includes, but is not limited to, principles and applications in the areas of human engineering, personnel selection, training, life support, job performance aids, and human performance evaluation. [DoDI 5000.2]

Human-in-the-Loop (HITL). See: interactive model. [DIS]

Human-Machine Simulation. A simulation carried out by both human participants and computers, typically with the human participants asked to make decisions and a computer performing processing based on those decisions. [DIS]

Hybrid Simulation. A simulation that combines constructive, live, and/or virtual simulations, typically in a distributed environment. Such simulations combine simulators with actual operational equipment, prototypes of future systems, and realistic representations of operational environments. [MSETT]


Glossary - I

Iconic Model.  A physical model or graphical display that looks like the
system being modeled; for example, a non-functional replica of a computer
tape drive used for display purposes. See also: scale model. [DIS; IEEE]

Identity Simulation. A simulation in which the roles of the participants are investigated or defined; for example, a simulation that identifies aircraft based on their physical profiles, speed, altitude, and acoustic characteristics. [DIS; IEEE]

Implementation. The means by which a synthetic environment, or portions of a synthetic environment, is realized. [DIS]

In-Basket Simulation. A simulation in which a set of issues is presented to a participant in the form of documents on which action must be taken; for example, a simulation of an unfolding international crisis as a sequence of memos describing relevant events and outcomes of the participant's actions on previous memos. [DIS; IEEE]

Independent Variable. A variable whose value is not dependent on the values of other variables. Contrast with: dependent variable. [IEEE; DIS]

Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V). The conduct of verification and validation of a model or simulation by individuals or agencies that did not develop the model or simulation. [DIS]

Information. Any communication or reception of knowledge such as facts, data, or opinions, including numerical, graphic, or narrative forms, whether oral or maintained in any medium, including computerized databases, paper, microform, or magnetic tape. [DoD 8320.1-M; DoDD 8000.1; DoD 8320.1-M-1; DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Information Architecture. A framework that portrays relationships among all data and activity components identified in models. It is an abstraction based on the products of the highest level of modeling and is further refined based on the next successive levels of modeling as each area of those detailed levels are completed. [DoD 8320.1-M]

Information Engineering. A disciplined methodology which creates an organization-wide architectural framework for application and database development. [DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Information Management (IM). The creation, use, sharing, and disposition of data or information as corporate resources critical to the effective and efficient operation of functional activities consistent with IM guidance issued by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. IM includes the structuring of functional management improvement processes by the OSD principal Staff Assistants to produce and control the use of data and information in functional activities; information resources management; and supporting information technology (IT) and information services. [CJVSI 8510.01]

Information Model. A model that represents the processes, entities, information flows, and elements of an organization and all relationships between these factors. [DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Information Resource Dictionary System (IRDS). A set of standard specifications for a data dictionary system resulting from U.S. Federal and national standards efforts; a computer system conforming to those standards that provides facilities for recording, storing, and processing descriptions of an organization's significant information and information processing resources. [DoDD 8320.1]

Information System (IS). The organized collection, processing, maintenance, transmission, and dissemination of information in accordance with defined procedures, whether automated or manual. [DoDD 5200.28; DoD 8320.1-M; DoD 8320.1-M-1;]

Infrastructure. See: M&S infrastructure.

Initial Condition. The values assumed by the variables in a system, model, or simulation at the beginning of some specified duration of time. Contrast with: boundary condition; final condition. [DIS]

Initial State. The values assumed by the state variables of a system, component, or simulation at the beginning of some specified duration of time. Contrast with: final state. [DIS; IEEE]

Instantiation. represent an abstraction by a concrete instance. [DMSO]

Instructional Simulation. A simulation intended to provide a simulation equivalent of a real or hypothesized stimulus that could occur in the synthetic environment for the purpose of training. [DIS]

Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD). IPPD is an approach to systems acquisition which brings together all of the functional disciplines required to develop, design, test, produce and field a system. This is essentially the same as Concurrent Engineering. [DSMC 1]

Integrated Product Team (IPT). Integrated Product Teams are a means to achieve concurrent engineering or IPPD. They are multidisciplinary teams consisting of representatives from all disciplines involved in the system acquisition process, from requirements development through disposal. Having the participation of all the appropriate disciplines, IPTs are often empowered to make decisions to achieve successful development of their particular product. [DSMC 1]

Intelligence Community Coordinating Group (ICCOG). The ICCOG serves as the intelligence community's forum for M&S exchange, fostering improved communication among community and other government agencies and industry. The ICCOG promotes sharing programs, methodologies, tools, techniques, data and other information. [MSMP]

Intelligent Forces (IFOR). A specific program funded by ARPA to build a maximum of intelligence into the computer representations of forces. [MSMP]

Interaction. The explicit action taken by one object toward another object or geographical area. [DMSO-HLA]

Interactive Model. A model that requires human participation. Syn: human-in-the-loop. [DIS]

Internal Schema. An internal schema describes data as it is physically stored and includes all aspects of the environment in which a database is to reside. [DoD 8320.1-M; FIPS Pub 11-3]

Internal Variable. See: endogenous variable. [DIS]

Interoperability. See: M&S Interoperability. [MSMP]

Interval-Oriented Simulation. A continuous simulation in which simulated time is advanced in increments of a size suitable to make implementation possible on a digital system. [DIS; IEEE]


Glossary - J

Joint M&S.   Representations of joint and Service forces, capabilities,
equipment, materiel, and services used by the Joint community or by two,
or more, Military Services.[DoDD 5000.59;]

JM&S Proponent. The Joint Component responsible for life cycle management of a JM&S application or data base. [CJVSI 8510.01]

Joint Modeling and Simulation Executive Panel (JMSEP). An organization responsible for providing advice and assistance on Joint Modeling and Simulation issues. The Joint Components provide representatives. Membership is at the 0-6 level or higher. The Deputy Director for Wargaming, Simulation, and Operations (DDWSO), J-8, serves as the chair. [CJVSI 8510.01]

Joint Modeling and Simulation Investment Plan. A Joint Components plan, published under the authority of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and with the coordination of the Joint Components, that establishes short-term (present to 6 years) and long-term (beyond 6 years) programs and funding for joint and common use JM&S to achieve the specified goals and objectives outlined in the JM&S Master Plan. [CJVSI 8510.01]

Joint Program. Any Defense acquisition system, subsystem, component, or technology program that involves formal management or funding by more than one DoD Component during any phase of a systemÕs life-cycle. [DoDI 5000.2]


Glossary - K

Knowledge.   The rules, environment, etc. which form the structure
humans use to process and relate to information, or the information a
computer system must have to behave in an apparently intelligent manner.
[I/DB]

Knowledge-Based System. A system in which the domain knowledge is explicit and separate from the system's operational instructions/ information. [I/DB]

Known Object. An object is known to a simulation if the simulation is reflecting or updating any attributes of that object. [DMSO-HLA]


Glossary - L

Laboratory Simulation.  A simulation developed and used under highly
controlled conditions; for example, a simulation of a medical technique
implemented in the controlled environment of a laboratory. [DIS; IEEE]

Lag Variable. (1) In a discrete simulation, a variable that is an output of one period and an input for some future period. (2) In an analog simulation, a variable that is a function of an output variable and that is used as input to the simulation to provide a time delay response or feedback. Syn: lagged variable; serially- correlated variable. [DIS; IEEE]

Latency. The time required for a device to begin physical output of a desired piece of data once processing is complete. [DMSO]

Lead Variable. (l) In a discrete simulation, a variable that is an output of one period and that predicts what the output of some future period will be. (2) In an analog simulation, a variable that is a function of an output variable and that is used as input to the simulation to provide advanced time response or feedback. [DIS; IEEE]

Legacy Model. A model developed in the past which is still in use that was not implemented using today's standards (e.g., software, communication, DIS, ALSP, etc.). Some legacy models have been modified with interfaces to some of the current standards extending their usefulness and interoperability with newer, standards based models. [AFI 16-102; DSMC 1]

Live Entity. A perceptible object that can appear in the virtual battlespace but is unaware and non-responsive (either by intent, lack of capability or circumstance) to the actions of virtual entities. See also: field instrumentation. Contrast with: live instrumented entity. [DIS]

Live Simulation. Live, Virtual, and Constructive Simulation. [MSMP]

Live, Virtual, and Constructive Simulation. The categorization of simulation into live, virtual, and constructive is problematic, because there is no clear division between these categories. The degree of human participation in the simulation is infinitely variable, as is the degree of equipment realism. This categorization of simulations also suffers by excluding a category for simulated people working real equipment (e.g., smart vehicles).

  • a. Live Simulation. A simulation involving real people operating real systems.

    b. Virtual Simulation. A simulation involving real people operating simulated systems. Virtual simulations inject human-in-the-loop (HITL) in a central role by exercising motor control skills (e.g., flying an airplane), decision skills (e.g., committing fire control resources to action), or communication skills (e.g., as members of a C4I team).

    c. Constructive Model or Simulation. Models and simulations that involve real people making inputs into a simulation that carries out those inputs by simulated people operating simulated systems. [MSMP]

Local Area Network. A class of data network which provides high data rate interconnection between network nodes in close physical proximity. [USMC Mstr Plan]

Logical Data Model. A model of the data stores and flows of the organization derived from the conceptual business model. [DoD 8320.1-M- 1; DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Logical Verification. The identification of a set of assumptions and interactions for which the M&S correctly produces intended results. It determines the appropriateness of the M&S for a particular application and to ensure that all assumptions and algorithms are consistent with the conceptual M&S. [DA PAM 5-11]

Long-Haul Network (LHN). See: wide area network. [DIS]


Glossary - M

Machine Simulation.  A simulation that is executed on a machine. See also:
computer simulation.  [DIS; IEEE]

Management Game. A simulation game in which participants seek to achieve a specified management objective given pre-established resources and constraints; for example, a simulation in which participants make decisions designed to maximize profit in a given business situation and a computer determines the results of those decisions. See also: war game. [DIS; IEEE]

Manned Platform Entity. Corresponds to current or proposed battlefield entities which are driven, guided, flown, or otherwise have a warfighter, staff, or crew in the loop. This includes command posts and other command, control, communication, and intelligence (C3I) nodes and may include role players representing other battlefield entities or staff functions. [DIS]

Markov Chain. A discrete Markov process. [IEEE]

Markov Chain Model. A discrete, stochastic model in which the probability that the model is in a given state at a certain time depends only on the value of the immediately preceding state. Syn: Markov model. See also: semi-Markov model. [IEEE; DIS]

Markov Process. A stochastic process which assumes that in a series of random events, the probability for occurrence of each event depends only on the immediately preceding outcome. See also: semi-Markov process. [IEEE; DIS]

Mass Storage. Refers to any device that can store large amounts of data and retrieve it at some later time, even after system powerdown. Mass storage devices are usually categorized in terms of being either on-line storage or off-line storage. [IDA ADS Paper]

Mathematical Model. A symbolic model whose properties are expressed in mathematical symbols and relationships; for example, a model of a nation's economy expressed as a set of equations. Contrast with: graphical model; narrative model; software model; tabular model. [DIS] Measures of Effectiveness (MOE). A qualitative or quantitative measure of a M&S's performance or a characteristic that indicates the degree to which it performs the task or meets a requirement under specified conditions. See also: measure of performance. [AFI 16-102]

Measures of Outcome (MOO). Metrics that define how operational requirements contribute to end results at higher levels, such as campaign or national strategic outcomes. [DSMC 1]

Measure of Performance (MOP). Measure of how the system/individual performs its functions in a given environment (e.g., number of targets detected, reaction time, number of targets nominated, susceptibility of deception, task completion time.) It is closely related to inherent parameters (physical and structural) but measures attributes of system behavior. See also: measure of effectiveness. [DIS; IEEE 1278.3]

Mesometeorology. The study of atmospheric phenomena such as tornadoes and thunderstorms which occur between meteorological stations or beyond the range of normal observation from a single point; i.e., on a scale larger than that of micrometeorology, but smaller than the cyclonic (synoptic) scale. [DMSO-ERTWG]

Metadata. Information describing the characteristics of data; data or information about data; descriptive information about an organizationÕs data, data activities, systems, and holdings. [DoDD 8320.1; DoD 8320.1-M; DoD 8320.1-M-1; DoD 8320.1-M-X; NBS Special Pub 500-152]

Meta-Knowledge. (synonym with wisdom) Knowledge about knowledge. Knowledge about the use and control of domain knowledge in an expert or knowledge-based system. Knowledge about how the system operates or reasons. [I/DB]

Metamodel. A model of a model. Metamodels are abstractions of the M&S being developed which use functional decomposition to show relationships, paths of data and algorithms, ordering, and interactions between model components and subcomponents. Metamodels allow the software engineers who are developing the model to abstract details to a level that subject matter experts can validate. [MSETT]

Methodology. The system of principles, practices, and procedures, applied to a specific branch of knowledge. {DMSO} Metric A measure of the extent or degree to which a product possesses and exhibits a certain quality, property, or attribute. [IEEE 83]

Metric(s). A process of algorithm that may involve statistical sampling, mathematical computations, and rule-based inferencing. Metrics provide the capability to detect and report defects within a sample. [DoD 8320.1- M-3]

Micrometeorology. The study of variations in meteorological conditions over small areas, such as hillsides, forests, river basins, or individual cities. [DMSO-ERTWG]

Mission Space. Mission space refers to the entities, actions, and interactions that must be represented to produce credible simulations of the specific mission area being addressed. Mission space includes all elements (e.g., logistics, intelligence, manufacturing) which support the simulation and which are required to achieve the desired goals and objectives. [MSMP]

Mock-Up. A full-sized structural, but not necessarily functional, model built accurately to scale, used chiefly for study, testing, or display. See also: physical model. [DIS; IEEE]

Model. A physical, mathematical, or otherwise logical representation of a system, entity, phenomenon, or process.[DoDD 5000.59; DIS; DODI 5000.XX; MSMP; JDL; I/DB ]

Modeling. Application of a standard, rigorous, structured methodology to create and validate a physical, mathematical, or otherwise logical representation of a system, entity, phenomenon, or process. [DoD 8320.1- M]

Modeling and Simulation (M&S). use of models, including emulators, prototypes, simulators, and stimulators, either statically or over time, to develop data as a basis for making managerial or technical decisions. The terms "modeling" and "simulation" are often used inter-changeably. [MSETT]

Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Accreditation. The official certification that a model or simulation is acceptable for use for a specific purpose. [DoDD 5000.59; DIS; I/DB] Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Application Sponsor. The organization that utilizes the results/product(s) from a specific application of an M&S. [DoDI 5000.XX]

Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Developer. The agency which actually develops an M&S or the agency that is overseeing the M&S development by a contractor or FFRDC. [Army Mstr Plan]

Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Executive Agent. See: DoD M&S Executive Agent. [DMSO]

M&S Infrastructure. An underlying base or foundation; the basic facilities, equipment, and installations needed for the functioning of a system. A M&S infrastructure would consist of M&S systems and applications, communications, networks, architectures, standards and protocols, information resource repositories, etc.[Drft Mstr Plan]

M&S Interoperability. ability of a model or simulation to provide services to and accept services from other models and simulations, and to use the services so exchanged to enable them to operate effectively together. [MSMP; DoDD 5000.59; DSMC 1]

Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Investment Plan. A DoD plan, published under the authority of the USD(A) and with the coordination of the DoD Components, that establishes short-term (present to 6 years) and long- term (beyond 6 years) programs and funding for joint and common use M&S to achieve the specified goals and objectives outlined in the DoD M&S Master Plan.[DoDD 5000.59; DODI 5000.XX; DSMC 1]

Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Master Plan. A DoD plan, published under the authority of the USD(A) and with the coordination of the DoD Components, that establishes short-term (present to 6 years) and long- term (beyond 6 years) DoD goals and objectives for the application of M&S for joint and common use within the Department of Defense. It shall also include an assessment of current M&S capabilities, a status report on M&S efforts under development, and a road map that delineates the management, investment, and technical strategies required to achieve DoD M&S objectives.[DoDD 5000.59;]

Modeling and Simulation (M&S) Resource Repository (MSRR). A physical location or site that contains unclassified, classified, or both classified and unclassified M&S data and/or information. A MSRR may or may not be part of the DoD MSIS. [DoDI 5000.XX]

M&S Working Group (MSWG). The MSWG supports the activities of the EXCIMS and responds to guidance and direction from the USD (A&T). The Director, DMSO, chairs the MSWG. The membership of the MSWG will normally be 0-6 military officers or GM-15 grade civilians. The MSWG promotes coordination and cooperation of DoD M&S at the working level. Members will represent their organization, serve as the DMSO point of contact for M&S issues, and prepare their principals for EXCIMS meetings. MSWG membership will mirror the organizational makeup of the EXCIMS; however, other organizations may be added by majority vote of the group, as required. [MSMP]

Models and Simulations: Army Integrated Catalog (MOSAIC). An Army on- line hypertext tool available to all developers and users to peruse the array of existing M&S and query the hypertext system for all information of interest to them in their proposed application. [DMSO]

Model-Test-Model. An integrated approach to using models and simulations in support of pre-test analysis and planning; conducting the actual test and collecting data; and post-test analysis of test results along with further validation of the models using the test data. [DSMC 1]

Modifier. A word which helps define and render a name unique within the database, which is not the prime or class word. [DoD 8320.1-M-1; NBS Special Pub 500-149]

ModSAF. Modular Semi-Automated Forces are a class of CGF utilizing a modular software structure in which model components have well-defined and documented interfaces allowing run-time reconfiguration of model behavior to develop generalized, and more sophisticated, representations of reactive behaviors and missions. ModSAF provides an open architecture that is expected to be the starting point for future extensions of SAFOR capabilities. [MSMP]

Monte Carlo Algorithm. A statistical procedure that determines the occurrence of probabilistic events or values of probabilistic variables for deterministic models, i.e., make a random draw. [DSMC 1] Monte Carlo Method. In modeling and simulation, any method that employs Monte Carlo simulation to determine estimates for unknown values in a deterministic problem. [IEEE; DIS]

Monte Carlo Simulation. A simulation in which random statistical sampling techniques are employed such that the result determines estimates for unknown values. [DIS]

Multisensory I/O. The use of more than one sensory mechanism (visual, aural, tactile, etc.) to interact with a computer-generated environment. [DSMC 2]

Multi-State Objects. Mission space entities that express a changing state (in attribution and visual display) as the simulation progresses (e.g., damage to structures, changes in vegetation, damage system representations such as vehicles, tanks, etc). [MSMP]


Glossary - N

Narrative Model.   A symbolic model the properties of which are expressed
in words; for example, a written specification for a computer system. Syn: 
verbal descriptive model.  Contrast with: graphical model; mathematical
model; software model; tabular model.  [DIS; IEEE]

Natural Model. A model that represents a system by another system that already exists in the real world; for example, a model that uses one body of water to represent another. [DIS; IEEE]

Network Byte Order. Internet-standard ordering of the bytes corresponding to numeric values. [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng, Pub 13]

Network Communication Services. The capability provided to electronically transmit modeling and simulation data between networked computational nodes in a manner which meets requirements for transmission latency, multi-cast addressing and security needed to support the creation and operation of distributed time and space coherent synthetic environments. [Army Mstr Plan]

Network Filter. A system to selectively accept or reject data received from the network. [DIS]

Network Management. The collection of administrative structures, policies, and procedures that collectively provide for the management of the organization and operation of the network as a whole. See: network manager. [DIS; IEEE 1278.1]

Network Manager. The person or organization responsible for maintaining, monitoring and scheduling the operation of the portion of a network used for a distributed simulation and whose responsibilities for the network terminates at the gateways and who is not responsible for the simulation hosts or a local area network. Normally, also in charge of the gateway and not part of the user organization. See: network management. [DIS]

Network Node. A specific network address. See: node. Contrast with: processing node. [DIS]

Network Scheduler. The person responsible for scheduling all use of the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) network. This includes use for video teleconferencing and simulation. [Navy]

Network Theory. The study of networks used to model processes such as communications, computer performance, routing problems, and project management. [DIS; IEEE]

Node. A general term denoting either a switching element in a network or a host computer attached to a network. See: processing node; network node. [DIS; IEEE 1278.1; IEEE 1278.2]

Non-Absorbing State. In a Markov chain model, a state that can be left once it is entered. [IEEE; DIS]

Non-Standard Cell. A cell which is not compliant with the DIS message and data base standards. Non-standard cells require a Cell Adapter Unit in order to join a DIS exercise. [DIS; MSETT - Intro to Netwkng Pub 6]

Non-Standard Data Element. Any data element that exists in a system or application program and does not conform to the conventions, procedures, or guidelines established by the organization. [DoD 8320.1-M-1; DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Normative Model. A model that makes use of a familiar situation to represent a less familiar one; for example, a model that depicts the human cardiovascular system by using a mechanical pump, rubber hoses, and water. [DIS; IEEE]

Notional Data. Speculative or theoretical data rather than actual data. [DMSO]

Numerical Model. (l) A mathematical model in which a set of mathematical operations is reduced to a form suitable for solution by simpler methods such as numerical analysis or automation; for example, a model in which a single equation representing a nation's economy is replaced by a large set of simple averages based on empirical observations of inflation rate, unemployment rate, gross national product, and other indicators. (2) A model whose properties are expressed by numbers. [DIS; IEEE]


Glossary - O

Object.   A fundamental element of a conceptual representation that
reflects the real world at levels of abstraction and resolution appropriate
for a simulation.  for any given value of time, the state of an object is
defined as the enumeration of all its attribute values.  [DMSO - HLA]

Object-Based. A software design methodology adhering to only some of the properties of object oriented software; for example, Ada does not support inheritance, a key property of object oriented systems, therefore Ada is often referred to as an object based language. See: object oriented. [DMSO]

Object-Oriented. A software design methodology that when applied to DIS results in the battlefield being represented by objects, where objects encapsulate the methods or procedures associated with the object and where objects communicate with other objects by message passing. Examples of battlefield objects are platoons (unit level), tanks (platform level), main guns (component or module level), and gun barrels (part level). One of the main benefits of an object oriented approach is the inherent modularity; e.g., to change a tank model only the tank object must be changed. See also: object based. [DIS]

Object-Oriented Language. A language which best suits an object-oriented decomposition of software and which provides the capability to implement classes and objects. Directly supports data abstraction and classes, and provides additional support for inheritance as a means of expressing hierarchies of classes. [DSMC 1]

Object-Oriented Programming. Use of a programming system that results in programs organized as cooperative collections of objects, each of which represents an instance of some class, and whose classes are members of class hierarchies as defined by the inheritance mechanism. [DMSO 93 SAFOR Survey]

Occlusion. The vision effect of closer objects overlapping or occluding more distant ones, providing visual clues to judge how close objects are from the viewer. Slight head motions provide more information about occlusions. [DSMC 2]

Octet. A sequence of eight bits, usually operated upon as a unit. [IEEE 1278.1]

Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). Includes the immediate Offices of the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Under Secretaries of Defense, the Director of Defense Research and Engineering, the Assistant Secretaries of Defense (ASDs), the General Counsel of the Department of Defense (GC, DoD), the Assistants to the Secretary of Defense (ATSDs), the OSD Directors, or equivalents, who report directly to the Secretary or the Deputy Secretary of Defense, and such other staff offices as the Secretary of Defense establishes to assist in carrying out assigned responsibilities. [D0DD 5000.59; DoDI 5000.XX]

Off-Line Storage Devices. Off-line storage devices generally are used for data backup and archival applications, using media like magnetic tapes or removable hard or floppy disks. [IDA ADS Paper]

On-Line Storage Devices. On-line storage devices provide more immediate retrieval of data and usually refer to devices such as magnetic or optical hard disk drives. [IDA ADS Paper]

Open System. A system in which the components and their composition are specified in a non-proprietary environment, enabling competing organizations to use these standard components to build competitive systems. There are three perspectives on open systems: portability - the degree to which a system component can be used in various environments, interoperability - the ability of individual components to exchange information, and integration - the consistency of the various human- machine interfaces between an individual and all hardware and software in the system. [AFI 16-102; DSMC 1]

Open Systems Environment. A Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) environment having attributes of interoperability and portability which promotes competition by allowing systems developed by multiple vendors and nations to interoperate through a common set of computer and communications protocols. Syn: Open Systems Interconnection (OSI). [DIS]

Open Systems Interconnection (OSI). Syn: open systems environment.

Operational Environment. A composite of the conditions, circumstances, and influences which affect the employment of military forces and the decisions of the unit commander. Frequently characterized as permissive, semi-permissive, or non-permissive. [DIS]

Orthogonal. Pertaining to or composed of right angles. [DMSO]

Outcome-Oriented Simulation. A simulation in which the end result is considered more important than the process by which it is obtained; for example, a simulation of a radar system that uses methods far different from those used by the actual radar, but whose output is the same. Contrast with: process-oriented simulation. [DIS; IEEE]

Output Validation. The process of determining the extent to which the output (outcome distributions for the M&S and/or sub-models) represent the significant and salient features of distributions or real world systems, events, and scenarios. [DA PAM 5-11]

Owned Attribute. An object attribute that is explicitly modeled by the owning simulation. A simulation that owns an attribute has the unique responsibility to provide values for that attribute to the federation, through the Runtime Infrastructure (RTI), as they are produced. [DMSO- HLA]


Glossary - P

Parallax.   The vision effect of having two eyes viewing the same scene
from slightly different positions which creates a sense of depth. 
Computer-generated environments, one for each eye, artificially create
the parallax effect.  [DSMC 2]

Parallel Processing. Multiple processes running on multiple processors simultaneously. [DSMC 1]

Parametric Model. A model using parametric equations that may be based on numerical model outputs or fits to semi-empirical data to succinctly describe a particular process, feature, or effect. [DMSO-ERTWG]

Period. The time interval between successive events in a discrete simulation. [IEEE; DIS]

Petri Net. An abstract, formal model of information flow, showing static and dynamic properties of a system, i.e., the petri net is defined by its places, transitions, input function, and output function. [DIS; IEEE]

Physical Data Model. A representation of the technologically independent information requirements in a physical environment of hardware, software, and network configurations representing them in the constraints of an existing physical environment. [DoD 8320.1-M; FIPS Pub 11-3]

Physical Model. A model whose physical characteristics resemble the physical characteristics of the system being modeled; for example, a plastic or wooden replica of an airplane. A mock-up. See also iconic model; scale model. Contrast with: symbolic model. [DIS; IEEE]

Pixel. A "picture element," refers to the smallest visual unit in an image on a computer display. [DSMC 2]

Plan View Display. A symbolic representation of a Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) exercise in which the observer's eyepoint is above the exercise. [DIS]

Platform. A generic term used to describe a level of representation equating to vehicles, aircraft, missiles, ships, fixed sites, etc. in the hierarchy of representation possibilities. Other representation levels include units (made up of platforms) and components or modules (which make up platforms). [DIS; MSETT - Intro to Netwkng Pub 6]

Polygon. A flat plane figure with multiple sides, the basic building block of virtual worlds. The more polygons a computer can display and manipulate per second, the more realistic the virtual world will appear. Humans perceive the equivalent of 80 million polygons at more than 30 frames per second in normal vision. [DSMC 2]

Predictive Model. A model in which the values of future states can be predicted or are hypothesized; for example, a model that predicts weather patterns based on the current value of temperature, humidity, wind speed, and so on at various locations. [DIS; IEEE]

Prescriptive Model. A model used to convey the required behavior or properties of a proposed system; for example, a scale model or written specification used to convey to a computer supplier the physical and performance characteristics of a required computer. Contrast with: descriptive model. [DIS; IEEE]

Primary Key. Property or characteristic that uniquely identifies the class of information stored about an entity. Primary keys are determinants or identifiers. Primary keys are never null; each entity or entity class has one and only one primary key. [DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Prime Word. A word included in the name of a data entity which represents the logical data grouping (in the logical data model) to which it belongs. [DoD 8320.1-M-1; DoD 8320.1-M-X; NBS Special Pub 500-149]

Principal Staff Assistants. The Under Secretaries of Defense; the Assistant Secretaries of Defense (ASDs); the General Council of the Department of Defense (GC, DoD); the Assistants to the Secretary of defense (ATSDs); and the OSD Directors, or equivalents, who report directly to the Secretary or Deputy Secretary of Defense. [DoDI 5000.XX]

Probabilistic Model. : stochastic model. [DIS]

Processes. Processes affect entities. Attrition, communications, and movement are examples of processes. Processes have a level of detail by which they are described. [MORS SIMTAX 27Oct89]

Process Improvement Modeling. Defines and documents the current ("as is") and desired future ("to be") processes and information requirements of a functional activity. Two types of process improvement models are: [DoD 8320.1-M-X; DRAFT DoDI 8020.1]

  • a. Activity Models. Models of the activities which are (or will be) conducted within a functional activity showing inputs, outputs, controls, and mechanisms. [DoD 8320.1-M-X; DRAFT DoDI 8020.1]

    b. Data Models. Models of the entity definitions, attributes, relationships, and the integrity constraints through which the information created and used by the functional activity is managed, and from which standard data are created. [DoD 8320.1-M-X; DRAFT DoDI 8020.1]

Process Model.  A model of the processes performed by a system; for
example, a model that represents the software development process as a
sequence of phases. Contrast with: structural model. [DIS]

Process-Oriented Simulation. A simulation in which the process is considered more important than the outcome; for example, a model of a radar system in which the objective is to replicate exactly the radar's operation, and duplication of its results is a lesser concern. Contrast with: outcome-oriented simulation. [DIS; IEEE]

Processing Node. The hardware and software processing resources devoted to one or more simulation entities. See: node. Contrast with: network node. [DIS]

Protocol. A set of rules and formats (semantic and syntactic) that define the communication behavior of simulation applications. [MSMP; DIS; IEEE 1278.1]

Protocol Data Unit (PDU). A PDU is a structured message which transfers essential data of a specific type from one simulation entity to another and allows them to participate in a common exercise. For example, DIS PDUs comply with the DIS PDU Message Standard. [MSETT - DIS Glossary, LORAL 22SEP92]

Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Standards. Formally defined data exchange standards established for each of the several primary classes of functionality which is represented in the DIS synthetic environment, e.g., movement, weapons, firing effects, collisions, etc. [Army Mstr Plan]

Protocol Entity. An object that exchanges information with other protocol entities in a network via Protocol Data Units (PDUs) in accordance with an established protocol. A key attribute of a protocol entity is its state. State transitions occur in a given protocol entity in accordance with the established protocol as the result of: (a) PDUs received from other protocol entities, and (b) occurrence of an external event (e.g., expiration of a time-out counter.) See also: Protocol Data Unit. [DIS]

Protocol Suite. A defined set of complementary protocols within the communication architecture profile. [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng Pub 5]

Prototype. A preliminary type, form, or instance of a system that serves as a model for later stages or for the final, complete version of the system. [IEEE; DIS]

Pseudocode. A description of control and/or data structures in a natural language with no rigid rules of syntax. [DA PAM 5-11]

Public Attribute. A public attribute is one that is observable and of interest to more than one actor. These attributes are specified in the ALSP protocol and are broadcast by the modeling actor whenever the value of the attribute changes. For example, location is an attribute of an aircraft that all actors are interested in. The owning actor would broadcast this attribute whenever it changed. [ALSP]


Glossary - Q

Qualitative Data.   A data value that is a non-numeric description of a
person, place, thing, event, activity, or concept. [DoD 8320.1-M-1]

Quantitative Data. Numerical expressions that use Arabic numbers, upon which mathematical operations can be performed. [DoD 8320.1-M-1]

Queue. ueuing theory, a set of zero or more entities waiting to be serviced by a service facility. [DIS; IEEE]

Queuing Model. A model consisting of service facilities and entities waiting in queues to be served; for example, a model depicting teller windows and customers at a bank. [DIS; IEEE]

Queuing Network Model. A model in which a process is described as a network in which each node represents a service facility rendering a given type of service and a queue for holding entities waiting to be served; for example, a model depicting a network of shipping routes and docking facilities at which ships must form queues in order to unload their cargo. [DIS; IEEE]

Queuing Theory. The study of queues and the performance of systems that service entities that are organized into queues. See also: queuing model; queuing network model. [DIS; IEEE]


Glossary - R

Random.   Pertaining to a process or variable whose outcome or value
depends on chance or on a process that simulates chance, often with the
implication that all possible outcomes or values have an equal probability
of occurrence; for example, the outcome of flipping a coin or executing a
computer-programmed random number generator. [DIS; IEEE]

Real Battlefield. See: real world. [DIS]

Real-Time. In modeling and simulation, simulated time advances at the same rate as actual time; for example, running the simulation for one second results in the model advancing time by one second. Contrast with: fast time; slow time. [DIS]

Real-Time Service. A service which satisfies timing constraints imposed by the service user. The timing constraints are user specific and should be such that the user will not be adversely affected by delays within the constraints. [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng Pub 5]

Real-Time System. A system that computes its results as quickly as they are needed by a real-world system. Such a system responds quickly enough that there is no perceptible delay to the human observer. In general use, the term is often perverted to mean within the patience and tolerance of a human user. [AFI 16-102; DSMC 1]

Real-World. The set of real or hypothetical causes and effects that simulation technology attempts to replicate. When used in a military context, the term is synonymous with real battlefield to include air, land, and sea combat. Syn: real battlefield. [DIS]

Real-World Time. The actual time in Greenwich, England. Syn: sidereal time. [DIS; IEEE 1278.1]

Reality Engine. Any computer system specifically designed to generate virtual images on a display device. [DSMC 2]

Reference Version. most recent version of a model or simulation which has been released by, and under configuration management of an approving authority. [DIS] Reflected Attribute. An object attribute that is represented but not explicitly modeled in a simulation. The reflecting simulation accepts new values of the reflected attribute as they are produced by some other federation member and provided to it by the Runtime Infrastructure (RTI). [DMSO-HLA]

Reflected Object. An object that is represented but not explicitly modeled in a simulation. The reflecting simulation accepts changes in state of the reflected object as they are produced by some other federation member and provided to it by the Runtime Infrastructure (RTI). [DMSO-HLA]

Regime. The interaction domain of entities. Platform level entities in DIS interact in real time; these are the primary entities of interest in DIS. However, DIS is expected to increase its domain to encompass the regimes of aggregated models or HOMs (which run much faster than real-time) and to components or modules (which in general run much slower than real- time). [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng Pub 6] [MSETT - USACOM Definition Study]

Relational Model. A model of information in which data are represented as tables, with records stored as rows of the table and data elements stored as columns of each row. [JDBE]

Reliability Model. A model used to estimate, measure, or predict the reliability of a system; for example, a model of a computer system, used to estimate the total down time that will be experienced. [DIS; IEEE]

Reliable Service. A communication service in which the received data is guaranteed to be exactly as transmitted. [DIS; IEEE 1278.1; IEEE 1278.2; MSETT - Intro to Netwkng Pub 5]

Remote Entity Approximation (REA). The process of extrapolating and interpolating any state of an entity based on its last known state. This includes dead reckoning and smoothing. Syn: dead reckoning. [DIS]

Research, Development, and Acquisition (RDA). RDA includes all M&S used for design, development, and acquisition of weapons systems and equipment. M&S in the RDA domain are used for scientific inquiry to discover or revise facts and theories of phenomena, followed by transformation of these discoveries into physical representations. RDA also includes test and evaluation (T&E) where M&S are used to augment and possibly reduce the scope of real-world T&E. [Army]

Resolution. The degree of detail and precision used in the representation of real world aspects in a model or simulation. See also: granularity. [USMC Mstr Plan; DA PAM 5-11; DSMC 1]

Right-Hand Rule. Positive rotation is clockwise when viewed toward the positive direction along the axis of rotation. [DIS; IEEE 1278.1; MSETT - Intro to Netwkng, Pub 1]


Glossary - S

Scalability.   The ability of a distributed simulation to maintain time and
spatial consistency as the number of entities and accompanying
interactions increase. [MSMP; DIS Vision]

Scale Model. A physical model that resembles a given system, with only a change in scale; for example, a replica of an airplane one tenth the size of the actual airplane. [DIS; IEEE]

Scenario. (1) Description of an exercise ("initial conditions" in military terms). It is part of the session database which configures the units and platforms and places them in specific locations with specific missions. (2) An initial set of conditions and time line of significant events imposed on trainees or systems to achieve exercise objectives. See: field exercise. [DIS; IEEE 1278.3]

Schema. Descriptive representation of data and/or data requirements that describe conceptual, internal, or external views of information/data needs. [DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Scope. Used in reference to SAFOR scope refers to the aspects of combat portrayed by the system. For example, ground combat, combat support, combat service support, air-to-air combat, air-to-ground combat, air-to- ship combat, naval surface combat, naval undersea warfare, deployment. [DMSO 93 SAFOR Survey]

Seamless. Perfectly consistent. Transparent. [DMSO]

Segment. A portion of a session that is contiguous in simulation time and in wall-clock time (sidereal time). [DIS; IEEE 1278.3]

Selector. A portion of an address identifying a particular entity at an address (e.g., a session selector identifies a user of the session service residing at a particular session address). [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng, Pub 13]

Semi-Automated Forces (SAFOR). See: Computer Generated Forces.[MSMP]

Semi-Markov Model. A Markov chain model in which the length of time spent in each state is randomly distributed. [DIS; IEEE]

Semi-Markov Process. A Markov process in which the duration of each event is randomly distributed. [DIS; IEEE]

Serially-Correlated Variable. See: lag variable. [DIS]

Session. A portion of an exercise that is contiguous in wall-clock (sidereal) time and that is initialized per an exercise database. [DIS; IEEE 1278.3]

Shutter Glasses. Stereoscopic viewing eyeglasses that alternately reveal an image to the left and right eye to create the parallax effect giving a sense of depth (each eye receives a slightly different image). The shutters are typically composed of electrically switched LCD or Polaroid material and have no moving parts. [DSMC 2]

Sidereal Time. Time measured with respect to the stars. Time that is independent of simulation clocks, time zones, or measurement errors. The "Ground Truth" of time measurement. [DIS]

Simuland. The system being simulated by a simulation. [DIS]

Simulate. To represent a system by a model that behaves or operates like the system. See also: emulate. [DIS]

Simulated Time. Time as represented within a simulation. Syn: virtual time. See also: fast time; real time; slow time. [IEEE]

Simulation. A method for implementing a model over time. [MSMP; DoDD 5000.59]

Simulation Application. (1) The executing software on a host computer that models all or part of the representation of one or more simulation entities. The simulation application represents or "simulates" real-world phenomena for the purpose of training or experimentation. Examples include manned vehicle (virtual) simulators, computer generated forces (constructive), environment simulators, and computer interfaces between a Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) network and real (live) equipment. The simulation application receives and processes information concerning entities created by peer simulation applications through the exchange of DIS PDUs. More than one simulation application may simultaneously execute on a host computer. (2) The application layer protocol entity that implements standard DIS protocol. Syn: simulation. [DIS; IEEE 1278.1]

Simulation Clock. A counter used to accumulate simulated time. [DIS; IEEE]

Simulation Entity. An element of the synthetic environment that is created and controlled by a simulation application through the exchange of Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) Protocol Data Units (PDUs) (e.g., tanks, submarines, carriers, fighter aircraft, missiles, bridges). It is possible that a simulation application may be controlling more than one simulation entity. Syn: entity. [DIS; IEEE 1278.1]

Simulation Environment. (1) Consists of the operational environment surrounding the simulation entities including terrain, atmospheric, bathospheric and cultural information. (2) All the conditions, circumstances, and influences surrounding and affecting simulation entities including those stated in (1). [DIS]

Simulation Exercise. An exercise that consists of one or more interacting simulation applications. Simulations participating in the same simulation exercise share a common identifying number called the exercise identifier. These simulations also utilize correlated representations of the synthetic environment in which they operate. See: live simulation. [DIS; IEEE 1278.1 & 1278.2]

Simulation Fidelity. Refers to the degree of similarity between the training situation and the operational situation that is being simulated. [DIS; MSETT - Intro to Netwkng, Pub 3]

Simulation Game. A simulation in which the participants seek to achieve some agreed-upon objective within an established set of rules. For example, a management game, a war game. Note: The objective may not be to compete, but to evaluate the participants, increase their knowledge concerning the simulated scenario, or achieve other goals. Syn: gaming simulation. [DIS; IEEE]

Simulation Language. rogramming language used to implement simulations. [IEEE; DIS]

Simulation Management. A mechanism that provides centralized control of the simulation exercise. Functions of simulation management include: start, restart, maintenance, shutdown of the exercise, and collection and distribution of certain types of data. [DIS; IEEE 1278.1]

Simulation Manager. See: exercise manager. [DIS]

Simulation Process. The imitative representation of the actions of platform(s), munition(s), and life form(s) by computer program(s) in accordance with a mathematical model and the generation of associated battlefield entities. May be fully automated or partially automated. In the latter case, the human-in-the-loop injects command-level decisions into the process and is not intended to be a "trainee." [DIS]

Simulation Support Entity. Processing modules used to support, control, or monitor the simulation environment, but which do not actually exist on the battlefield. This includes battlefield viewing devices for controllers or exercise observers such as the stealth vehicle, the plan view display, after action review systems, and simulation control systems. [DIS; MSETT-Intro to Netwkng Pub 6]

Simulation Time. (1) a simulation's internal representation of time. Simulation time may accumulate faster, slower, or at the same pace as sidereal time. (2) The reference time (e.g., Universal Coordinated Time) within a simulation exercise, this time is established ahead of time by the simulation management function and is common to all participants in a particular exercise. [DIS; IEEE 1278.1]

Simulator. (1) A device, computer program, or system that performs simulation. (2) For training, a device which duplicates the essential features of a task situation and provides for direct practice. (3) For Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS), a physical model or simulation of a weapons system, set of weapon systems, or piece of equipment which represents some major aspects of the equipment's operation. [DIS]

SIMWORLD. A collection of specifications that define the algorithms and models incorporated in a class of simulation entities. It defines the battlespace terrain modeling algorithms used, atmospheric/bathyspheric models employed, electromagnetic and acoustic spectrums recognized, fidelity characteristics, time reference, supported classes of interactions, etc. It does not include the data bases which populate those models and algorithms. Those data are found in the Battlespace data base. [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng Pub 6] [MSETT - USACOM Definition Study]

Single Point-of-Entry. The organization (s) responsible for entering data values for a data element.[DoD 8320.1-M]

Site. (1) An actual physical location at a specific geographic area, e.g., the Ft. Knox Close Combat Test Bed (CCTB) which can contain a single cell, multiple cells, or only part of a cell. (2) A node on the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) long haul network which can contain a single cell, multiple cells, or only part of a cell. (3) A level of configuration authority within a DIS exercise. [DIS]

Site Manager. The individual responsible for the maintenance and operation of the simulators and local area network operations to support the requirement of the users. Additional responsibilities include: providing appropriate terrain; safety; data collection; and providing appropriate information for training feedback such as after action reviews and take- home packages. [DIS]

Slow Time. The duration of activities within a simulation in which simulated time advances slower than actual time. [DIS]

Smoothing. Interpolation of the previous state of an entity (location, velocity, etc.) to the current state, creating a smoothed transition between two successive entity state updates. [DIS]

Software Interface Standards Development. The development of a standard software interface that allows simulations using different software to communicate with each other. This is done by developing Protocol Data Units (PDUs) that specify the format and structure of data that will be transferred on the DSI. These PDUs standardize simulation output and establish the conversion requirements. [Army Mstr Plan]

Software Model. A symbolic model whose properties are expressed in software; for example, a computer program that models the effects of climate on the world economy. Contrast with: graphical model; mathematical model; narrative model; tabular model. [DIS; IEEE]

Span. The scale of the domain, that is global, theater, regional, local, individual. Description of the span is often subjective. [SIMTAX] Specific Domain. The precise set of possible values of an attribute (data element). [DoD 8320.1-M-X]

Stability. Constancy of purpose; steadfastness. Reliability; dependability. [DoD 8320.1-M-3]

Stabilized-Variable Model. A model in which some of the variables are held constant and the others are allowed to vary; for example, a model of a controlled climate in which humidity is held constant and temperature is allowed to vary. [DIS; IEEE]

Standard. A rule, principle, or measurement established by authority, custom, or general consent as a representation or example. [MSMP]

Standard Data Element. Data element registered IAW DoD data administration procedures. [DoDD 8320.1]

State. (1) The internal status of a simulation entity, e.g. fuel level, number of rounds remaining, location of craters, etc. State messages are used to start and restart entities or to update entities concerning the dynamic changes in the environment in their area of interest. See also: simulation entity. (2) A condition or mode of existence that a system, component, or simulation may be in; for example, the preflight state of an aircraft navigation program or the input state of given channel. (3) The values assumed at a given instant by the variables that define the characteristics of a system, component, or simulation. Syn: system state. See also: final state; initial state; steady state. [DIS]

State Machine. A model of a system in which all values are discrete, as in a digital computer. [IEEE; DIS]

State Transition. A change from one state to another in a system, component, or simulation. [DIS; IEEE]

State Variable. A variable that defines one of the characteristics of a system, component, or simulation. The values of all such variables define the state of the system, component, or simulation. [DIS]

Static Model. del of a system in which there is no change; for example, a scale model of a bridge, studied for its appearance rather than for its performance under varying loads. [DIS; IEEE] Steady State. A situation in which a model, process, or device exhibits stable behavior independent of time. [IEEE; DIS]

Stealth Viewer. A component that provides the capabilities for visually observing a Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) exercise without participating in the DIS exercise interaction. [DIS]

Stimulate. To provide input to a system in order to observe or evaluate the system's response. [DIS; IEEE]

Stimulation. Stimulation is the use of simulations to provide an external stimulus to a system or subsystem. An example is the use of a simulation representing the radar return from a target to drive (stimulate) the radar of a missile system within a hardware/software-in-the-loop simulation. [DSMC 1]

Stimulator. (1) A hardware device that injects or radiates signals into the sensor system(s) of operational equipment to imitate the effects of platforms, munitions, and environment that are not physically present. (2) A battlefield entity consisting of hardware and/or software modules which injects signals directly into the sensor systems of an actual battlefield entity to simulate other battlefield entities in the virtual battlefield. [DIS]

Stochastic. Pertaining to a process, model, or variable whose outcome, result, or value depends on chance. Contrast with: deterministic. [IEEE; DIS]

Stochastic Model. A model in which the results are determined by using one or more random variables to represent uncertainty about a process or in which a given input will produce an output according to some statistical distribution; for example, a model that estimates the total dollars spent at each of the checkout stations in a supermarket, based on probable number of customers and probable purchase amount of each customer. Syn: probabilistic model. See also: Markov-chain model. Contrast with: deterministic model.[DIS]

Stochastic Process. Any process dealing with events that develop in time or cannot be described precisely, except in terms of probability theory. [AFI 16-102; DSMC 1]

Structural Model. A representation of the physical or logical structure of a system; for example, a representation of a computer network as a set of boxes connected by communication lines. Contrast with: process model. [DIS; IEEE]

Structural Validation. The process of determining that the M&S assumptions, algorithms, and architecture provide an accurate representation of the composition of the real world as relevant to the intended use of the M&S. [DA PAM 5-11]

Subject Area. A major, high-level classification of data. A group of entity types that pertain directly to a function or major topic of interest to the enterprise. [DoD 8320.1-M]

Symbolic Model. A model whose properties are expressed in symbols. Examples include graphical models, mathematical models, narrative models, software models, and tabular models. Contrast with: physical model. [DIS; IEEE]

Symbology. A graphic representation of concepts or physical objects. [DoDD 8320.1]

Synthetic Battlefield. One type of synthetic environment. [MSMP]

Synthetic Environments (SE). Internetted simulations that represent activities at a high level of realism from simulations of theaters of war to factories and manufacturing processes. These environments may be created within a single computer or a vast distributed network connected by local and wide area networks and augmented by super-realistic special effects and accurate behavioral models. They allow complete visualization of and total immersion into the environment being simulated. [MSMP; CJCSI 8510.01]

System. A collection of components organized to accomplish a specific function or set of functions. [IEEE]


Glossary - T

T-1.   Data communications service that supports 1.544 megabits per
second operation.  [USMC Mstr Plan]

T-2. Data communications service that supports 45 megabits per second operation. [USMC Mstr Plan]

Tabular Model. A symbolic model whose properties are expressed in tabular form; for example, a truth table that represents a Boolean logic "OR" function. Contrast with: graphical model; mathematical model; narrative model; software model.[DIS; IEEE]

Taxonomy. A classification system. Provides the basis for classifying objects for identification, retrieval and research purposes. [SIMTAX]

Technical Data. Scientific or technical information recorded in any form or medium (such as manuals and drawings). Computer programs and related software are not technical data; documentation of computer programs and related software are. Also excluded are financial data or other information related to contract administration. [DoDI 5000.2]

Technical Infrastructure. The internal framework that must be built to implement an operational service. [DoD 8320.1-M]

Three-Way Handshake. A process whereby two protocol entities synchronize during connection establishment. [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng, Pub 13]

Tightly Coupled. A condition that exists when simulation entities are involved in very close interaction such that every action of an entity must be immediately accounted for by the other entities. Several tanks in close formation involved rapid, complicated maneuvers over the terrain is an example of a tightly coupled situation. [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng Pub 5]

Time-dependent event. An event that occurs at a predetermined point in time or after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. See also: conditional event. [DIS; IEEE]

Time-Slice Simulation. (l) A discrete simulation that is terminated after a specific amount of time has elapsed; for example, a model depicting the year-by-year forces affecting a volcanic eruption over a period of 100,000 years. Syn: time-interval simulation. See also: critical event simulation. (2) A discrete simulation of continuous events in which time advances by intervals chosen independent of the simulated events; for example, a model of a time multiplexed communication system with multiple channels transmitting signals over a single transmission line in very rapid succession. [DIS]

Time Step Models. Dynamic models in which time is advanced by a fixed or independently-determined amount to a new point in time, and the states or statuses of some or all resources are updated as of that new point in time. Typically these time steps are of constant size, but they need not be. [SIMTAX]

Time Variable. A variable whose value represents simulated time or the state of the simulation clock.[DIS; IEEE]

Tracked Munition. A munition for which tracking data is required. By necessity, a tracked munition becomes a simulation entity during its flight; its flight path is represented, therefore, by Entity State PDUs. [DIS; IEEE 1278.1]

Translator. The translator is the portion of an actor that interacts with ALSP. Normally, this is new software that adds the ability to transmit information about objects modeled by the actor and to receive information about objects modeled by other actors and to ghost these objects. [ALSP]

Transmit Management. The control of the transmission rate to match the transmission media. The transmission rate is selected to reduce total network traffic. [DIS]

Typing. Typing is the enforcement of the class of an object, such that objects of different types may not be interchanged, or may be interchanged only in restricted ways. [DMSO 93 SAFOR Survey]


Glossary - U

Unbundling.  The process of unpacking a bundled Protocol Data Unit (PDUs)
into multiple separate PDUs. Contrast with: bundling. [DIS]

Unicast. A transmission mode in which a single message is sent to a single network destination, i.e., one-to-one. [DIS; MSETT - Intro to Netwkng, Pub 1]

Unified Combatant Command (UCC). One of the unified combatant commands established by the President of the United States according to Title 10, United States Code. Also referred to as Combatant Commands. (UCCs include: US Atlantic Command (abbreviated as USACOM); US Central Command (abbreviated as USCENTCOM); US European Command (abbreviated as USEUCOM); US Pacific Command (abbreviated as USPACOM); US Southern Command (abbreviated as USSOUTHCOM); US Space Command (abbreviated as USSPACOM); US Special Operations Command (abbreviated as USSOCOM); US Strategic Command (abbreviated as USSTRATCOM); and, US Transportation Command (abbreviated as USTRANSCOM)). [DoDD 5000.59; MSMP; DoDI 5000.XX]

Unit. (1) An aggregation of entities. (2) A basis of measurement. [DIS; IEEE 1278.3]

Unit Conversion. stem of converting measurement from one basis to another; for example, English/metric, knots/feet per second, IEEE floating point, byte swapping, etc. [DIS]

User. Military, industrial, or academic organizations requiring access to the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) network. Prior to use, they will appoint one point of responsibility for their use of the network. This person is the Exercise Manager. See also: Simulation Manager. [DIS]

User-Data. Conceptually, the part of a protocol data unit (PDU) used to transparently communicate information between the users of the protocol. [MSETT - Intro to Netwkng, Pub 13]


Glossary - V

Validation.   The process of determining the degree to which a model or
simulation is an accurate representation of the real-world from the
perspective of the intended uses of the model or simulation. [DoDD
5000.59; JCS pub 1-02; DODI 5000.XX]

Validation Agent. The organization designated by the M&S sponsor to perform validation for a model, simulation, or federation of models and/or simulations. See also: verification and validation proponent. [DoDI 5000.XX]

Validity. The quality of maintained data that is found on an adequate system of classification (e.g., data model) that is rigorous enough to compel acceptance.[DoD 8320.1-M; DoD 8320.1-M-3]

Variable. A quantity or data item whose value can change. See also: dependent variable; independent variable; state variable. Contrast with: constant. [IEEE; DIS]

Verification. The process of determining that model or simulation implementation accurately represents the developer's conceptual description and specification. Verification also evaluates the extent to which the model or simulation has been developed using sound and established software engineering techniques. [MSMP; DoDD 5000.59]

Verification Agent. The organization designated by the M&S sponsor to perform verification for a model, simulation, or federation of models and/or simulations. See also: verification and validation proponent. [DoDI 5000.XX]

Verification and Validation (V&V) Proponent. The agency responsible for ensuring V&V is performed on a specific model or simulation. [DIS]

Vignette. A self-contained portion of a scenario. [DIS]

Virtual. Refers to the essence or effect of something, not the fact. [DSMC 2]

Virtual Battlespace. The illusion resulting from simulating the actual battlespace. [DIS]

Virtual Images. Visual, auditory and tactile stimuli that are transmitted to the sensory end organs so they appear to originate from within the three-dimensional space surrounding the user. [DSMC]

Virtual Modeling and Simulation. A synthetic representation of warfighting environments patterned after the simulated organization and operations of actual military units. Differences in the representation of the simulated battlefield (i.e., whether real world, computer generated, or interactive players in simulators) are transparent to the participants who interact with their particular representation of the warfighting environment. [DA PAM 5-11]

Virtual Network. The interconnection of DIS cells by any communications means which provide the necessary network services to conduct an exercise.[DIS; MSETT - DIS Glossary, LORAL 22SEP92]

Virtual Prototype. A computer-based simulation of systems and subsystems which exhibits both geometric and functional realism. This three-dimensional virtual mockup may be used to evaluate prototypes or concepts and provides a common platform which all functional disciplines (design, test, manufacturing, logistics, training, operations, etc.) can work. [DSMC 1]

Virtual Reality. The effect created by generating an environment that does not exist in the real world. Usually, a stereoscopic display and computer-generated three-dimensional environment giving the immersion effect. The environment is interactive, allowing the participant to look and navigate about the environment, enhancing the immersion effect. Virtual environment and virtual world are synonyms for virtual reality. [DSMC 2]

Virtual Simulation. Form of simulation in which entities exist in effect or in essence, although not in actual form, so that sensing of or by other entities must be via the DIS protocol data unit stream. When participation in a DIS exercise requires significant compromise of vehicle dynamics, the vehicle is then operating in the virtual mode. [DIS]

Virtual Time. See: simulated time. [DIS]

Virtual World. See: synthetic environment. [DIS]

Visualization. The formation of an artificial image that cannot be seen otherwise. Typically, abstract data that would normally appear as text and numbers is graphically displayed as an image. The image can be animated to display time varying data.[DSMC 2]

Visual Stealth. A component that provides the capabilities for visually observing a Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) exercise without participating in the DIS exercise interaction. [DIS]


Glossary - W

Warfare Simulation.   A model of warfare or any part of warfare for any
purpose (such as analysis or training). [DIS; SIMTAX]

War Game. A simulation game in which participants seek to achieve a specified military objective given pre-established resources and constraints; for example, a simulation in which participants make battlefield decisions and a computer determines the results of those decisions. See also: management game. Syn: constructive simulation; higher order model (HOM). [DIS; IEEE]

White Box Model. See: glass box model. [DIS]

Wide Area Network (WAN). A communications network designed for large geographic areas. Sometimes called Long-Haul Network. [DIS; IEEE 1278.3]

World Coordinate System. The right-handed geocentric Cartesian system. The shape of the world is described by the WGS 84 standard. The origin of the world coordinate system is the centroid of the earth. The axes of this system are labeled X, Y, and Z, with: the positive X-axis passing through the Prime Meridian at the Equator; the positive Y-axis passing through 90 degrees East longitude at the Equator; and the positive Z-axis passing through the North Pole. [DIS; IEEE 1278.1] World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84). 1984 version of World Geophysical Society Standard earth, mass, and surface distribution model. [DIS]

World View. The view each simulation entity maintains of the simulated world from its own vantage point, based on the results of its own simulation and its processing of event messages received from all external entities. For Computer Generated Forces, the world view is the perceptions of the participating humans. For manned simulators or real vehicles, the world view is the perceptions of the participating humans. [DIS; MSETT - Intro to Netwkng Pub 6]


Glossary - X


Glossary - Y

Yoked Variable. One of two or more variables that are dependent on each other in such a manner that a change in one automatically causes a change in the others. [DIS; IEEE]


Glossary - Z


REFERENCES

CJCSI 8510.10		Refers to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff	 			Instruction "Joint Modeling and Simulation
			Management" Draft as of 17 February 1995
DoDD 5000.59		Refers to DoD Directive 5000.59 "DoD Modeling and
			Simulation (M&S) Management," January 4,1994
DoDD 8320.1		Refers to DoD Directive 8320.1, "DoD Data
			Administration," September 26,1991
DoD 8320.1-M		Refers to DoD 8320.1-M "Data Administration
			Procedures," March 29,1994
DoD 8320.1-M-1		Refers to DoD 8320.1-M-1, "Data Element
			Standardization Procedures," January 15, 1993
DoD 8320.1-M-3		Refers to DRAFT DoD 8320.1-M-3 "Data Quality
			Assurance Procedures (DRAFT)," February, 1994
DoD 8320.1-M-X		Refers to DoD 8320.1-M-X, "DoD Data Model
			Development, Approval, and Maintenance Procedures
			(DRAFT)," May, 1993
DODI 5000.XX		This refers to the DRAFT of the DoD Instruction for
			DODI 5000.XX being written by the VV&A Technical Working Group 
DSMC-1			Refers to the DSMC Guidebook on Modeling and
			Simulation dated September 1994
DSMC-2			Refers to the DSMC Report on Virtual Prototyping dated March 1994
AFI 16-102		This is the DRAFT of the Air Force's M&S Plan
USMC Mstr Plan		This is the recently signed Marine Corps Master Plan
Army Mstr Plan		This is the recently signed Army Master Plan
MSMP			This is the DRAFT DoD M&S Master Plan
JSIMS Mstr Plan		This is the 1995 JSIMS Master Plan 
MSETT			M&S Educational Training Tool.  Note:  All terms
			with MSETT indicated came from their glossary. 
			Those with MSETT followed by a source indicate
			they came from the MSETT glossary and that was
			the source referenced in the MSETT glossary.
JDL			Refers to Joint Directors of Laboratories Memo for the S&T M&S Community
JDBE			Refers to the Draft Military Handbook for Joint
			Data Base Elements for M&S dated 5 Aug 1993
ALSP			Refers to the Aggregate Level Simulation Protocol
			(ALSP) 1993 Confederation Annual Report dated November 1993
DIS			Refers to the DIS Glossary
OTA			Reflects terms obtained from an Office of
			Technology Assessment draft paper
DSB Rpt May 1988	Refers to the Report of the Defense Science Board
			Task Force on Computer Applications to Training
			and Wargaming of May 1988
FY95 Focus Call		Refers to Guidelines for conduct of FY95 Focused Call
I/DB			I/DB Bulletin Board
FIPS Pub 11-3		Federal Information Processing Standard
Publication 11-3	"American National Dictionary for Information Systems"
NBS  500-149		"Guide on Data Entity Naming Conventions"
NBS 500-152				"Guide to Information Resource Dictionary System Applications"
MORS SIMTAX		MORS SIMTAX dated 27 Oct 1989
DMSO DBTWG		DMSO Database Technical Working Group 
RAND			RAND Memo: Definitions of M&S, 3 Nov 1991
DMSO			This refers to terms from internal DMSO sources.