Tools export and import data to/from the semantic bus using an XML format that is directly translated by Frontier into and out of OWL. This provides not only syntactic interoperability of tools, but just as importantly, semantic interoperability, meaning that the export/import of data to create tool execution chains is based on meaningful data transformations.
Thus, the space system designer or engineer can exploit the power of a wide range of tools without having to worry about their mutual compatibility or consistency. The Frontier semantic bus uses RDF/OWL and the Sesame Triple Store as the backend of the overall system. Knowledge Evolution also supported the design and implementation of the Drupal-based user interface.
In addition, we were responsible for managing the agile (modified Scrum) software development process involving a large team of widely distributed contractors with widely differing skill sets and discipline backgrounds.
Knowledge Evolution served as an ontology expert and software developer in support of AIDA. The work began with training the Amdocs team in semantic technology (RDF, OWL, SPARQL), then developing a knowledge architecture, performing analyses of technology selection alternatives, and implementing key subsystems of the software.
The work also involved substantial ontology modeling, including an ontology for units of measurement, one for telemetry and command data, and other aspects of space system design and operation.
Knowledge Evolution also provided analysis and software development support for tool integration, developing pragmatic methods by which tools currently used by NASA engineers can provide data to and access data from the ontology models.