Thom McLean | Georgia Institute of Technology (original) (raw)

Papers by Thom McLean

Research paper thumbnail of Actionable Capability for Social and Economic Systems (ACSES)

Research paper thumbnail of LVCA: An Integrated Architecture of Live, Virtual, Constructive and Automated Elements for UAS Experimentation and Training

We describe an architecture developed by the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) at Rockwell Collins... more We describe an architecture developed by the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) at Rockwell Collins and the University of Iowa Operator Performance Lab (OPL) team to make use of both real and virtual worlds for exploration of new technical and training paradigms for unmanned airborne systems. The concepts are applicable for both military and civilian domains with applications extending from Concepts of Operation (CONOPS) development, to integration into the National Airspace Systems (NAS). This architecture is based on a unique live, virtual, constructive (LVC) experimental framework built over the last six years between ATC, OPL, and several government, academic and industry partners. The most defining characteristics of this framework are its ability to create composable systems, and its online, game-like persistence. Distributed operations with heterogeneous systems have been going on, virtually uninterrupted for the last three years. The second important characteristic of the Rock...

Research paper thumbnail of Applying temporal databases to HLA data collection and analysis

The High Level Architecture (HLA) for distributed simulations was proposed by the Defense Modelin... more The High Level Architecture (HLA) for distributed simulations was proposed by the Defense Modeling and Simulation Office of the Department of Defense (DOD) in order to support interoperability among simulations as well as reuse of simulation models. One aspect of reusability is the ability to collect and analyze data from simulation executions, including a record of events that occur during the execution, and the states of the simulation objects. Several approaches have been developed for data collection in distributed simulation environments. The HLA presents an interesting new paradigm within which to design effective data collection and analysis techniques. The capabilities of the Run-Time Infrastructure (RTI) can be exploited to design efficient and flexible data collection tools.

Research paper thumbnail of FDK Users Guide (Version 3.0)

Research paper thumbnail of Experiences applying parallel and interoperable network simulation techniques in on-line simulations of military networks

Proceedings 16th Workshop on Parallel and Distributed Simulation, 2002

We present a case study in which we apply parallel simulation methods and interoperability techni... more We present a case study in which we apply parallel simulation methods and interoperability techniques to network simulations for simulation-based on-line control of military communication networks.

Research paper thumbnail of Design of high performance RTI software

Proceedings Fourth IEEE International Workshop on Distributed Simulation and Real-Time Applications (DS-RT 2000), 2000

This paper describes the implementation of RTI-Kit, a modular software package to realize runtime... more This paper describes the implementation of RTI-Kit, a modular software package to realize runtime infrastructure (RTI) software for distributed simulations such as those for the High Level Architecture. RTI-Kit software spans a wide variety of computing platforms, ranging from tightly coupled machines such as shared memory multiprocessors and cluster computers to distributed workstations connected via a local area or wide area network. The time management, data distribution management, and underlying algorithms and software are described.

Research paper thumbnail of Applying temporal databases to HLA data collection and analysis

1998 Winter Simulation Conference. Proceedings (Cat. No.98CH36274), 1998

The High Level Architecture (HLA) for distributed simulations was proposed by the Defense Modelin... more The High Level Architecture (HLA) for distributed simulations was proposed by the Defense Modeling and Simulation Office of the Department of Defense (DOD) in order to support interoperability among simulations as well as reuse of simulation models. One aspect of reusability is the ability to collect and analyze data from simulation executions, including a record of events that occur during the execution, and the states of the simulation objects. Several approaches have been developed for data collection in distributed simulation environments. The HLA presents an interesting new paradigm within which to design effective data collection and analysis techniques. The capabilities of the Run-Time Infrastructure (RTI) can be exploited to design efficient and flexible data collection tools.

Research paper thumbnail of Middleware for real-time distributed simulations

Concurrency and Computation: Practice and Experience, 2004

Distributed simulation applications often rely on middleware to provide services to support their... more Distributed simulation applications often rely on middleware to provide services to support their execution over distributed computing environments. Such middleware spans many levels, ranging from lowlevel support for data transmission through object request brokers to higher level, simulation specific functionality such as time management. We discuss design alternatives for realizing such middleware for hard real-time distributed simulations such as hardware-in-the-loop applications. We present the results from tests of a prototype implementation of real-time Run-Time Infrastructure middleware.

Research paper thumbnail of Common Activities in Data Interchange Format (DIF) Development

are key components of a number of toolset architectures that are being developed to support M&S a... more are key components of a number of toolset architectures that are being developed to support M&S activities. Prominent examples of DIFs are used for sharing of High Level Architecture (HLA) object models, Conceptual Models of the Mission Space, and environmental data. The purpose of this paper is to document some of the common processes and products that are typically included in the development of DIFs. Although the individual DIF specifications are developed to address different applications within the M&S development and execution process, the development steps for many DIFs are similar. Therefore, we present a process for the sequence and description of these steps. The intent here is to be descriptive not prescriptive, illustrative not exhaustive.

Research paper thumbnail of Repeatability in real-time distributed simulation executions

Proceedings of the fourteenth workshop on …, 2000

Page 1. Repeatability in Real-Time Distributed Simulation Executions Thom McLean College of Compu... more Page 1. Repeatability in Real-Time Distributed Simulation Executions Thom McLean College of Computing Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA, 30332 thom @ cc. gatech.edu Richard Fujimoto College of Computing ...

Research paper thumbnail of Predictable time management for real-time distributed simulation

... Simulation Thom McLean and Richard Fujimoto Georgia Tech Research Institute and the College o... more ... Simulation Thom McLean and Richard Fujimoto Georgia Tech Research Institute and the College of Computing Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA 30332 thom.mclean@gtri.gatech.edu,fujimoto@cc.gatech.edu Abstract ...

Research paper thumbnail of ⁿ*∙ M L** Γ* Γ* Γ* µ** µ**¬ d* Γ* Γ* Γ ½τ* Ed Ed Ed

Executive Summary The foundation of the Actionable Capability for Social and Economic Systems (AC... more Executive Summary The foundation of the Actionable Capability for Social and Economic Systems (ACSES) project is a useful regional-scale social-simulation system. This report is organized into five chapters that describe insights that were gained concerning the five key feasibility questions pertaining to such a system:

Research paper thumbnail of Toward a characterization and systematic evaluation framework for theories and models of human, social, behavioral, and cultural processes

aser.ornl.gov

A suite of tools and methodologies has been developed for the characterization and systematic eva... more A suite of tools and methodologies has been developed for the characterization and systematic evaluation of human, social, behavioral, and cultural (HSBC) modeling and simulation (M&S) systems. State-of-the-art evaluation methods, which are based on empirical and retrospective validation, Monte Carlo type explorations of the hypotheses space, or visual analytics, may not work well for complex nonlinear and adaptive systems, especially when the space of implicit or explicit parameters is large or when validation ...

Research paper thumbnail of Actionable Capability for Social and Economic Systems (ACSES)

Research paper thumbnail of LVCA: An Integrated Architecture of Live, Virtual, Constructive and Automated Elements for UAS Experimentation and Training

We describe an architecture developed by the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) at Rockwell Collins... more We describe an architecture developed by the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) at Rockwell Collins and the University of Iowa Operator Performance Lab (OPL) team to make use of both real and virtual worlds for exploration of new technical and training paradigms for unmanned airborne systems. The concepts are applicable for both military and civilian domains with applications extending from Concepts of Operation (CONOPS) development, to integration into the National Airspace Systems (NAS). This architecture is based on a unique live, virtual, constructive (LVC) experimental framework built over the last six years between ATC, OPL, and several government, academic and industry partners. The most defining characteristics of this framework are its ability to create composable systems, and its online, game-like persistence. Distributed operations with heterogeneous systems have been going on, virtually uninterrupted for the last three years. The second important characteristic of the Rock...

Research paper thumbnail of Applying temporal databases to HLA data collection and analysis

The High Level Architecture (HLA) for distributed simulations was proposed by the Defense Modelin... more The High Level Architecture (HLA) for distributed simulations was proposed by the Defense Modeling and Simulation Office of the Department of Defense (DOD) in order to support interoperability among simulations as well as reuse of simulation models. One aspect of reusability is the ability to collect and analyze data from simulation executions, including a record of events that occur during the execution, and the states of the simulation objects. Several approaches have been developed for data collection in distributed simulation environments. The HLA presents an interesting new paradigm within which to design effective data collection and analysis techniques. The capabilities of the Run-Time Infrastructure (RTI) can be exploited to design efficient and flexible data collection tools.

Research paper thumbnail of FDK Users Guide (Version 3.0)

Research paper thumbnail of Experiences applying parallel and interoperable network simulation techniques in on-line simulations of military networks

Proceedings 16th Workshop on Parallel and Distributed Simulation, 2002

We present a case study in which we apply parallel simulation methods and interoperability techni... more We present a case study in which we apply parallel simulation methods and interoperability techniques to network simulations for simulation-based on-line control of military communication networks.

Research paper thumbnail of Design of high performance RTI software

Proceedings Fourth IEEE International Workshop on Distributed Simulation and Real-Time Applications (DS-RT 2000), 2000

This paper describes the implementation of RTI-Kit, a modular software package to realize runtime... more This paper describes the implementation of RTI-Kit, a modular software package to realize runtime infrastructure (RTI) software for distributed simulations such as those for the High Level Architecture. RTI-Kit software spans a wide variety of computing platforms, ranging from tightly coupled machines such as shared memory multiprocessors and cluster computers to distributed workstations connected via a local area or wide area network. The time management, data distribution management, and underlying algorithms and software are described.

Research paper thumbnail of Applying temporal databases to HLA data collection and analysis

1998 Winter Simulation Conference. Proceedings (Cat. No.98CH36274), 1998

The High Level Architecture (HLA) for distributed simulations was proposed by the Defense Modelin... more The High Level Architecture (HLA) for distributed simulations was proposed by the Defense Modeling and Simulation Office of the Department of Defense (DOD) in order to support interoperability among simulations as well as reuse of simulation models. One aspect of reusability is the ability to collect and analyze data from simulation executions, including a record of events that occur during the execution, and the states of the simulation objects. Several approaches have been developed for data collection in distributed simulation environments. The HLA presents an interesting new paradigm within which to design effective data collection and analysis techniques. The capabilities of the Run-Time Infrastructure (RTI) can be exploited to design efficient and flexible data collection tools.

Research paper thumbnail of Middleware for real-time distributed simulations

Concurrency and Computation: Practice and Experience, 2004

Distributed simulation applications often rely on middleware to provide services to support their... more Distributed simulation applications often rely on middleware to provide services to support their execution over distributed computing environments. Such middleware spans many levels, ranging from lowlevel support for data transmission through object request brokers to higher level, simulation specific functionality such as time management. We discuss design alternatives for realizing such middleware for hard real-time distributed simulations such as hardware-in-the-loop applications. We present the results from tests of a prototype implementation of real-time Run-Time Infrastructure middleware.

Research paper thumbnail of Common Activities in Data Interchange Format (DIF) Development

are key components of a number of toolset architectures that are being developed to support M&S a... more are key components of a number of toolset architectures that are being developed to support M&S activities. Prominent examples of DIFs are used for sharing of High Level Architecture (HLA) object models, Conceptual Models of the Mission Space, and environmental data. The purpose of this paper is to document some of the common processes and products that are typically included in the development of DIFs. Although the individual DIF specifications are developed to address different applications within the M&S development and execution process, the development steps for many DIFs are similar. Therefore, we present a process for the sequence and description of these steps. The intent here is to be descriptive not prescriptive, illustrative not exhaustive.

Research paper thumbnail of Repeatability in real-time distributed simulation executions

Proceedings of the fourteenth workshop on …, 2000

Page 1. Repeatability in Real-Time Distributed Simulation Executions Thom McLean College of Compu... more Page 1. Repeatability in Real-Time Distributed Simulation Executions Thom McLean College of Computing Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA, 30332 thom @ cc. gatech.edu Richard Fujimoto College of Computing ...

Research paper thumbnail of Predictable time management for real-time distributed simulation

... Simulation Thom McLean and Richard Fujimoto Georgia Tech Research Institute and the College o... more ... Simulation Thom McLean and Richard Fujimoto Georgia Tech Research Institute and the College of Computing Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA 30332 thom.mclean@gtri.gatech.edu,fujimoto@cc.gatech.edu Abstract ...

Research paper thumbnail of ⁿ*∙ M L** Γ* Γ* Γ* µ** µ**¬ d* Γ* Γ* Γ ½τ* Ed Ed Ed

Executive Summary The foundation of the Actionable Capability for Social and Economic Systems (AC... more Executive Summary The foundation of the Actionable Capability for Social and Economic Systems (ACSES) project is a useful regional-scale social-simulation system. This report is organized into five chapters that describe insights that were gained concerning the five key feasibility questions pertaining to such a system:

Research paper thumbnail of Toward a characterization and systematic evaluation framework for theories and models of human, social, behavioral, and cultural processes

aser.ornl.gov

A suite of tools and methodologies has been developed for the characterization and systematic eva... more A suite of tools and methodologies has been developed for the characterization and systematic evaluation of human, social, behavioral, and cultural (HSBC) modeling and simulation (M&S) systems. State-of-the-art evaluation methods, which are based on empirical and retrospective validation, Monte Carlo type explorations of the hypotheses space, or visual analytics, may not work well for complex nonlinear and adaptive systems, especially when the space of implicit or explicit parameters is large or when validation ...