Charters : 1.03 Information Architecture Working Group

 

The focus of this working group is to define a reference Space Information Architecture that encompasses the capture, management and exchange of data for both flight and ground environments across the operational mission lifecycle.  The includes standard functional components for information management, definition of standard interfaces for information management, standards in information representation (data structuring and packaging mechanisms) and standard definitions of information processes (how the users and the systems interact).

This includes defining how existing standards fit into an overall reference architecture. The reference architecture should encompass informatics aspects of space data systems and cover all problem areas associated with space data systems (such as organizational, functional, operational and cross support issues). This working group has been delegated responsibility for elaborating the Information Architecture for the Information Viewpoint in the System Architecture being developed in the SAWG. The products of this working group will be integrated into the Reference Architecture for Space Data Systems (RASDS).

In the absence of information system standards for interoperability and cross-support we have seen systems be developed that do not allow the exchange of information across ground and flight systems and across agency data systems.

The goals of this Working Group are to:

1) Define a reference end-to-end space information architecture for interoperability and cross support that encompasses both flight and ground data system operations and provides a common framework for use by standards and systems developers.  The reference space information architecture includes:
a) standard functional components for information management;
b) definition of standard interfaces for information management;
c) standards in information representation;
d) standards in defining information processes.

2) Define and leverage common methods for representing information architectural views.

3) Address application layer information management issues including application protocols and data handling and ensure that they are dealt with in a clear and consistent way throughout the end-to-end system.

4) Work with the SEA System Architecture Working Group to provide the Information Architecture elements for the Reference Architecture for Space Data Systems (RASDS) and with the MOIMS Working Groups to develop the specific standard interfaces and protocols.  Make recommendations to the other Working Groups and BOFs regarding architectural choices and options.

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Languages and tools that can be used in our work are still under development in external standards bodies and it may not be possible to select the best languages and tools at the time we need to make the selection.

Standards for interfaces and protocols for distributed services are still under development in external standards bodies and it may be difficult to select a final set of approaches without some significant evaluation and prototyping efforts.

Unavailability of resources could delay achievement of milestones. Fallback option would be to reschedule the milestones. There is an open issue between the IAWG and MOIMS / IPRWG as to the most appropriate distributed information architecture.  This will have to be resolved before this work can be concluded.  Agencies and projects that implement their own architectures and do not choose to coordinate or adopt any interoperable standards or reference architectures.