What does a Simulation Object Model (SOM) specify?

A Simulation Object Model (SOM) is a crucial component within the High Level Architecture (HLA) framework that outlines the information exchange protocols for federates participating in a simulation federation. Specifically, it lays out the types of data that can be communicated, including what a federate can send and receive. This modeling is essential for ensuring that the federate adheres to a standardized format when interfacing with other federates, facilitating interoperability and cohesive interactions within the simulation environment.

The focus of the SOM is fundamentally on the structure and semantics of the data—how objects are represented, what attributes they have, and how they behave in the context of the simulation. This enables different simulations to work together seamlessly and share relevant data effectively. In contrast, concepts related to performance metrics, graphical user interfaces, or data visualization techniques do not address the core function of the SOM in specifying how federates communicate and interact with each other in an HLA simulation framework.