Adaptable/ Reusable Hardware/Software Architectures and Components for Future Combat System (FCS) Automated Resupply

Progress in the area of intelligent automation is impeded by the lack of standardized architectures that promote software reuse. Conventional design methodologies require tailored software solutions that are expensive to implement and difficult to modify.This proposal addresses the need for flexibility and reusability with a scalable architecture that supports a component-based programming paradigm. Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of the offered approach - in the context of demanding real-timeintelligent automation applications - with a suite of interchangeable hardware/software components. The robustness of components and supporting architecture will be tested in simulations. Metrics that quantify costs savings and percentage of softwarereuse will be used to assess potential impact of the component-based methodology. Phase II will culminate in a prototype demonstration of two different material handling platforms sharing common components. The proposed solution will provide acomponent-based approach for software design and implementation for a wide variety of automated material handling machines. This will enable the Army to lower development time and cost of these machines while leveraging previous work. These softwarecomponents can provide equal benefit to the commercial sector by providing a software development standard for machine automation.