Technical Working Group
The SOSA Technical Working Group (TWG) is the Consortium body responsible for all technical work products and establishing the governance of the processes used to create them. The TWG ensures technical quality and robustness through the employment of Systems Engineering (SE) processes and best practices. The processes and practices of the TWG serve to achieve the goals of the SOSA Consortium as embodied in the SOSA CV-1, work products consistent with the SOSA Quality Attributes, and processes framed in the SOSA Architecture Principles. The TWG establishes and manages bi-directional relationships with other Open Systems Architecture (OSA) initiatives and technical programs. The TWG defines the SOSA Technical Standard for the SOSA Reference Architecture, provides guidance supporting the standard, develops additional support documentation, provides implementation guidance, and provides input on procedures to establish SOSA Conformance. The TWG leverages open standards where such exist, defining where they do not yet exist
Hardware Sub Committee
The SOSA Hardware Subcommittee (HWSC) is responsible for:
- All hardware technical aspects that affect the development of a SOSA Hardware Element.
- The development of a viable hardware architecture specification that executes the Quality Attributes developed for SOSA for hardware capabilities across multiple sensor platforms (Sensor Types)
The HWSC adopts, augments, or creates (in that order).
- The HWSC fully adopts existing open and published hardware standards that apply to the fundamental goals and tenets of SOSA.
- The HWSC augments existing open and published hardware standards that do not fully meet the fundamental goals and tenets of SOSA.
- The HWSC creates as such where no open and published hardware standard exists.
The HWSC’s focus is:
- On all Hardware Elements inside the enclosure.
- Note: It is noted that efforts within the HWSC could span multiple enclosures and multiple platforms.
The HWSC works to:
Successfully adopt a hardware convergence strategy across Government Agencies and Industry.
Electron Mechanical Sub Committee
Electrical/Mechanical Sub Committee (EMSC) – Specifies electrical & mechanical interface standards to facilitate the interconnections and installation of SOSA sensor physical elements as shown in the SOSA SV-1
The EMSC specifies relevant existing standards and, as necessary, develop new standards to achieve modularity, interoperability, and scalability between and among sensor elements and the host platform.
Inter-Module Interactions SC Charter
The SOSA Inter-Module Interaction Subcommittee (IMISC) operates under the Technical Working Group
- Duties are to identify acceptable technologies and define details for how interactions may be implemented
- Interactions define how SOSA Modules and Hardware Elements are managed, tasked, and exchange signals and data
The scope of the IMISC covers the implementation choices for interactions
- Implementation choices include: message protocol, encoding, encapsulation into transport units, and transport and network layer technologies
- Data link layer transport technologies for the hardware interconnects are being defined by the Hardware Subcommittee
- The interactions and data items are defined by other working groups, and are documented in the SOSA SvcV-4 and the SOSA Data Model
Software Environment SC Charter
The Software Environment Subcommittee (SESC) defines and makes recommendations on the Software Environment (operating environments, the software/operating system abstraction, hardware abstraction, language mappings, approaches to layering, virtual machines, and containers) for developing and verifying SOSA software components. This includes defining and recommending the environment for the reuse of software across different hardware configurations, profiles to define subsets of those standards when support of the entire standard would lead to safety or security certification issues, or when supporting only a defined subset would lead to a more cost effective solution and promotes the reuse of software. The SESC applies published industry standards to provide normative references, allowing the use of widely-available software libraries and tools whenever possible.
Data Model SC Charter
The Data Model Subcommittee (DMSC) is responsible for developing the structure and content of the Conceptual, Logical, and Physical Data Models (DIV-1, -2, and -3) for the SOSA Technical Standard. The purpose of the DMSC is to fully define all of the data and message payload content communicated across interfaces as defined by the SOSA Technical Standard.
The DMSC operates under the SOSA Technical Working Group (TWG) and uses input from the Architecture Standing Committee and the other TWG Subcommittees.
Sensor Management SC Charter
The SOSA Sensor Management Subcommittee (SMSC) operates under the Technical Working Group (TWG) in order to make recommendations and perform evaluations of the methodologies, approach, and techniques that are used to manage and monitor a SOSA sensor.
SOSA Sensor Management is an all-encompassing set of functions, processes, and interactions that enable the SOSA Sensor to accomplish its designated functionality, as well as manage and monitor the configuration, control, and health aspects of its Hardware Elements, Software Components, and SOSA Modules. The scope of the SMSC includes the Task and System Managers, their respective interactions with each other, and their interactions with other SOSA Modules, Software Components, and Hardware Elements.
The role of the SMSC is to recommend a top-down SOSA Sensor Management construct and ensure that the SOSA Technical Architecture incorporates a coherent, holistic approach to SOSA Sensor Management.
Security SC Charter
The SOSA Security Subcommittee (SSC) makes recommendations and performs evaluations of the security aspects (including cybersecurity, software assurance, and resiliency) of the SOSA Technical and Business Architectures supporting the achievement of the SOSA Consortium goals.
In the spirit of “baked in, not bolted on,” the SSC does not produce security products distinct from the SOSA Technical and Business Architectures. Instead, the role of the SSC is to ensure that the security is cohesively infused into them
Small Form Factor SC Charter
The SOSA Small Form Factor Subcommittee (SFFSC) is responsible for the definition and drafting of any standards language needed to support small form factor needs within the SOSA community, which is in alignment with the SOSA architecture and business goals.
The SFFSC is chartered to investigate existing, adapt existing, and/or recommend new form factors for their applicability to SOSA systems, and to generate appropriate language for inclusion into the SOSA standard.
The SFFSC will work under many of the existing definitions and rules defined in the SOSA Snapshots and various SOSA working groups and Subcommittees requirements including, but not limited to:
- The SOSA architecture
- Environmental requirements
- Software frameworks and environments
- Conformance rules and methodologies
Out of Band TT Charter
Sensor Management Subcommittee (SMSC) of the SOSA Technical Working Group (TWG). The OOBSMTT focuses its efforts on the overarching SOSA System Management aspects of the SOSA Technical Architecture that occur within and between the System Manager, Software Components, and Hardware Elements when the SOSA Message Interconnect is offline (e.g. faulted, unsupported, unpowered, and/or unestablished) via lower-level system management interfaces, including the Intelligent Platform Management Bus (IPMB).
SOSA System Management is focused on the configuration, control, and health monitoring aspects of its Hardware Elements, Software Components, and SOSA Modules.
The role of the OOBSMTT Task Team is to define and evaluate the functions, interactions, and processes occurring within and between the System Manager, Software Components and Hardware Elements that enable SOSA System Management offline capabilities that are supportive to and consistent with the overall SOSA Architecture and approach.
In Band TT Charter
The In-Band System Management Task Team (IBSMTT) operates under the Sensor Management Subcommittee (SMSC) of the SOSA Technical Working Group (TWG). The IBSMTT focuses its efforts on the overarching SOSA System Management aspects of the SOSA Technical Architecture that occur between the Task Manager, Host Platform Interface, SOSA Modules, Software Components and Hardware Elements once all of these SOSA Architecture items are operational via the SOSA Message Interconnect.
SOSA System Management is focused on the configuration, control, and health monitoring aspects of its Hardware Elements, Software Components, and SOSA Modules.
The role of the IBSMTT is to define and evaluate the functions, interactions, and processes occurring within and between SOSA modules, Software Components and Hardware Elements that enable SOSA System Management capabilities that are supportive to and consistent with the overall SOSA Technical Architecture and approach
Task Management TT Charter
The Task Management Task Team (TMTT) operates under the Sensor Management Subcommittee (SMSC) of the SOSA Technical Working Group (TWG). The TMTT makes recommendations and performs evaluations of the overarching SOSA Task Management aspects of the SOSA Technical Architecture.
SOSA Task Management is focused on defining the functions, interfaces, and interactions that enable the SOSA Sensor to accomplish its designated tasks. This includes the interactions between the Task Manager and the System Manager as well as other relevant SOSA Modules, Software Components, and Hardware Elements.
The role of the TMTT is to study, define, and evaluate sensor scheduling and resource management functions of the SOSA Sensor and the interactions of those functions with other SOSA Modules, Software Components, and Hardware Elements.
Airworthiness TT Charter
The Airworthiness Task Team (AWTT) provides guidance on the airworthiness of SOSA modules and infrastructure, and their integration into aircraft systems. This includes guidance for ensuring that SOSA elements are portable between platforms, upgradable, and adaptable for new missions. The guidance enables SOSA vendors to minimize airworthiness technical issues and cost by ensuring that SOSA elements are designed and developed in accordance with industry and military safety certification objectives
Standards Alignment TT Charter
The Standards Alignment Task Team (SATT) is made up of sensor subject matter experts with expertise with various OSAs, and is responsible for the alignment and cross-convergence of the SOSA Technical Standard with various OSAs as designated by the TWG. The SASC generates recommendations and negotiates for modular decomposition and inter-module interactions that lead to the achievement of physical and logical (including data) commonality between SOSA and the selected OSAs.
Business Working Group
The Business Working Group (BWG) is chartered by the Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) Consortium to develop, document and advocate business and acquisition strategies that are consistent with the SOSA vision and mission and are mutually beneficial to government and industry. We will do this by engaging with all stakeholders to:
-
- Develop business models, views, and use cases which balance government and industry interests and support a successful Conformance Certification Program
- Promote development and adoption of the technical standard through various methods of outreach
- Advocate for development and sustainment of an enduring ecosystem supporting the technical standard
- Develop and document guidance for incorporating the SOSA technical standard into procurements
Business Architecture Subcommittee
- Produce and mature models, views and use cases which characterize the business aspects of the SOSA consortium, supporting ongoing development of the SOSA Technical Standard
- Collaborate with Architecture Standing Committee to align business architecture products with technical architecture products
- Report status and issues to the BWG at least monthly
- Lead and co-lead are appointed by the BWG
Outreach Subcommittee
The Outreach Subcommittee promotes the SOSA Approach (business and technical strategies) and advances the SOSA Consortium by doing the following:
-
Advise and support consortium members in promoting the consortium and the technical standard
- Reviews and assures the accuracy and consistency of marketing materials
- Social media engagement locations and messaging
- Designs and produces marketing materials for Consortium use
-
Collaborate with Open Group marketing and events personnel
- Coordinates events, exhibits, speakers, and presentations
- Coordinates and drafts press releases and news articles
- Any other promotional activities as required
