An XML-Based Mission Command Language for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs)

This is a NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA report procured by the Pentagon and made available for public release. It has been reproduced in the best form available to the Pentagon. It is not spiral-bound, but rather assembled with Velobinding in a soft, white linen cover. The Storming Media report number is A905714. The abstract provided by the Pentagon follows: Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are now being introduced into the fleet to improve Mine Warfare capabilities. Several AUVs are under government-contracted development. Mission planning and data reporting vary between vehicles and systems. This variation does not pose an immediate problem, as only one AUV is typically in operation at any given time. However, as more AUVs are put into production, cooperative operations will become possible and consistent mission commands will be necessary for multiple AUVs. Without a single mission command language, multiple systems will require multiple languages. Extensible Markup Language (XML) and related technologies may be used to facilitate interoperability between dissimilar AUVs and extract and integrate mission data into Navy C41 systems. XML makes archive maintenance easier, XML documerts can be accessed via an http server, and, in root form XML is transferable on the fly by stylesheet. This thesis presents an XML-based mission command for the command and control of AUVs. In addition, this thesis discusses XML technology and how XML is a viable means of achieving interoperability. Furthermore, this thesis provides an example mission file using existing software, and demonstrates the future of XML in AUV technology. Finally, this work provides demonstration scripts and compelling arguments for the use of an XML-based mission command language to command all AUVs.