Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) Primer
Channel: The Open Group
Date: 2020-03-11

The Open Group - Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) Primer
by Steve Davidson, Raytheon

Overview
* SOSA Fundamentals
* SOSA Consortium
* Foundational Methodology
* SOSA Technical Architecture
* SOSA Business Approach
* Practical Aspects to SOSA Consortium Participation

The SOSA Consortium creates a common framework for transitioning sensor systems to an open systems architecture, based on key interfaces and open standards established by industry-government consensus.

The SOSA approach establishes guidelines for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems. The objective is to allow flexibility in the selection and acquisition of sensors and subsystems that provide sensor data collection, processing, exploitation, communication, and related functions over the full life cycle of the C4ISR system. 

The architecture will incorporate both hardware and software components to handle demanding processing and data requirements, ease system upgrades, reduce total cost of ownership, and promote competitive acquisition with minimal system reworks.

The SOSA Consortium's efforts are focused on the following development areas:

1) Designing a non-propriety open systems architecture based on DoD-relevant government or commercially available open standards for reconfigurable, evolvable, and affordable C4ISR capabilities
2) Establishing a conformance process, protecting Intellectual Property (IP) rights, and providing guidance for incorporating SOSA into the acquisition process
3) Opening competition and encouraging innovation while lowering costs and delivering new capabilities faster

Get involved: www.opengroup.org/sosa