Consistency Checking in C4ISR Architecture Designing Based on DOD Architecture Framework

Architecture is defined as the structure of components, their relationships, and the principles and guidelines governing their design and evolution over time. Consistency checking is one important work in C⁴ISR system architecture designing. At present, there is a little of the research on the consistency checking of C⁴ISR architecture. The paper introduces the conception of structural consistency in assigning activities of OV5 to nodes of OV2 at first and classifies structural consistency into three cases: replaceable assignment, redundant assignment and conflicted assignment. The formal definitions are given. Based on graph theory, the inconsistencies could be looked up by the paths length checking in the combined graph which depicts the structural relationship of OV2 and OV5. The algorithms for consistency checking are presented. It will help to enhance the quality and efficiency of C⁴ISR architecture.