1.1 Motivation

The PyHLA module aims to enable rapid development of HLA federates, i.e. to simplify the activity 4.3 of FEDEP [IEEE 1516.3].

The HLA standard defines C++ mappings [IEEE 1516.1], but a significant development effort is necessary to develop a HLA compliant federate in C++. The development effort can be reduced by using

  1. higher level interfaces, e.g. the Protocol Independent Interface in MÄK VR-Link
  2. code generators, e.g. the GENESIS developed by ONERA [GENESIS]

The HLA standard does not cover all aspects. The C++ API for value encoding [IEEE 1516.2] is not standardized. Every HLA developer needs to implement the value encoding functions.

Integrating HLA into the Python language may reduce the development and maintenance effort (compared to C/C++).

The Python language provides several benefits

  1. Dynamic data types. High-level programming language.
  2. Interpreted. Easy modifications.
  3. Powerful plug-in system.
  4. Many plug-ins providing scientific calculations, or geodetic conversions.