OGC approves Standard for use in the Modeling and Simulation World

The CDB standard defines a conceptual model, as well as rules for implementing the model, for the storage, access, and modification of a synthetic environment data store as required in high-fidelity simulation and mission rehearsal, such as for battlefield simulation. The standard addresses the challenge of full plug-and-play interoperability and reuse of geospatial data in a modeling and simulation environment. A CDB data store is also useful as a geospatial data repository for legacy systems, which can be supported by off-line conversions and proprietary data generation systems. CDB data stores can be queried and accessed over the web using existing OGC interface standards.

A CDB ‘synthetic environment’ data store contains geospatial data that represents the natural environment, which can include terrain relief, terrain imagery, 3D models of natural and man-made cultural features, 3D models of dynamic (moving) objects, the ocean surface, and the ocean floor. CDB data stores can also be exposed by OGC web services, such as a Web Map Service (WMS) or Web Feature Service (WFS) to permit visualization of the content outside of the traditional simulator hardware environment.

“OGC CDB forms a bridge between the geospatial data providers and the modeling and simulation community to facilitate reuse of source geospatial content and provide more flexible maintenance of that content,” says Scott Simmons, Executive Director of the OGC Standards Program.

The application of the CDB standard to future simulator architectures will significantly reduce development, update, and configuration management timelines.