Track: Defense and Intelligence
Storage and Extraction of Complex Spatial Data in a Relational Database Context
Jim VanOstenbridgeJohn Burky , Jaimie Thomas
Teaming on a corporate research and development effort, Lockheed Martin Federal Mission Systems and Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense Systems-Akron, using software products by Esri and Oracle, have developed methods, interfaces, and operations for the storage of vector product format (VPF) data within and extraction of VPF data from an SDE/Oracle database residing on a Windows NT platform. A primary objective of this project has been to create a continuous spatial database, allowing the user to request spatial data for analysis within an arbitrary extent. During the extraction process, layers are reconstituted into ArcInfo coverages to support anticipated user needs to view, query, or analyze spatial data using database client software or by applying stand-alone applications. The developed prototype system applies the LAYERMERGE functionality in ArcInfo Version 7.2.1 that allows complex feature classes to be reconstituted from the simple "shape" information stored in an SDE database. This system is composed of Oracle 7.3.4 for Windows NT; ArcInfo Version 7.2.1; Spatial Database Engine Version 3.0; a custom ArcInfo Open Development Environment (ODE) application developed using Microsoft Visual Basic for importing and exporting VPF data; ARC Macro Language (AML) scripts that perform data insertion, referential integrity maintenance, and data extraction operations, and a custom database client user interface developed using ArcView GIS Version 3.1. The Lockheed Martin approach allows commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) systems that incorporate spatial data resources to realize the benefits of relational database technology, including distributed file serving, security control, and database replication, while continuing to support legacy analysis applications that require feature data in file-based topological formats.
Jim VanOstenbridge
Lockheed-Martin
1301 Virginia Drive
Fort Washington, PA 19034
USA
Telephone: 215-283-6988
Fax: 215-283-6970
E-mail: vanosten@fwo.vf.mmc.com