scope:

The IDATS is used by the NATO FORACS Project¹ to collect and process sensor data during sensor accuracy tests. Sensor data are collected either by observing the measurements and entering them to IDATS through dedicated hand-held devices or by transmission from the ship's Combat Management System (CMS) to an IDATS Interface Computer (IDATS-IC).

This document describes the protocol and the message syntax for transmission of CMS sensor data to the IDATSIC. The implementation of the filtering system (how it acquires the data from the CMS, how it filters them etc) is the CMS vendor's responsibility in accordance with the nation's interests and requirements.

Purpose

The purpose of this interface specification is to provide a common interface between Allied ships Combat Management Systems (CMS) and the NATO FORACS Integrated Data Acquisition Test System (IDATS). The number of vessels equipped with data highways is constantly increasing because of new vessels coming into service and from retrofitting existing vessels. There are also user-nation requirements for more sophisticated system tests. Providing a standardized output from the CMS to the IDATS increases the quality and the quantity of the data acquired. Lack of a standardized output from CMS to IDATS will increase maintenance, operational and training costs and endangers the quality of the data acquired.