The goal of this effort is to develop a battlefield information dissemination system that facilitates warfighter access to filtered, personalized, current information. Previously implemented systems (e.g.pager, radio based) are expensive to construct, and require the warfighter to carry bulky receiving equipment. The web provides a cheap and lightweight infrastructure for access, but does not inherently support functions of aggregating and filtering data from heterogeneous sources. This phase I effort proposed the Smart Data Channel approach to building a web-based information dissemination system using commercially available technologies. In this approach, the information dissemination policy is specified as a collection of Smart Data Channels (SDC), objects that map information sets from heterogeneous information sources to the warfighter functions that need them. Warfighters access this channelized information space by "logging in" (or tuning in) to a channel that they have authorization for. They then receive a continuous, personalized data feed. Phase I efforts will demonstrate the feasibility of an SDC-based dissemination system. Phase II efforts will focus on a system that is scalable to large warfighter communities, and adapts to changing battlefield situations and mission goals. Anticipated Benefits and
Potential Commercial Applications: The proposed solution will enable warfighter to make more informed and responsive decisions, and will lead to better use of available resources. The solution is applicable in a number of commercial enterprise decision support applications.
