Develop Techniques for Use of Open System Arhitectures for Commercial-Off-The-Shelf Components

The objective of this SBIR Topic is to improve (and wherever possible, automate) existing system engineering techniques to provide a seamless product for the system engineering of large complex computer-based systems using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components in an Open System Architecture (OSA). SYNETICS approach identifies currently available System Engineering tools, assesses their applicability and compatibility for potential integration into a comprehansive automated System Engineering capability, and provides an easily accessible database of current COTS products that facilitates implementation of COTS in an Open System Environment. The innovative aspect of this approach is that, while NAVSEA maintains control of the database, vendors that have a vested interest in promoting their COTS products update their respective entries via the World Wide Web in order to keep it up-to-date. The proposed approach takes advantage of current Internet, World Wide Web, Lotus Notes and Lotus InterNotes tools and technologies. The proposed Phase I work will: (1) identify and assess currently available System Engineering tools; (2) develop and initially populate the COST products database; (3) establish a World Wide Web site for the NAVSEA COTS products database; and (4) demonstrate the feasibility of the overall System Engineering concept.