IEC 61636:2021

Software Interface for Maintenance Information Collection and Analysis (SIMICA)

IEC 61636:2021 (E) is an implementation-independent specification for a software interface to information systems containing data pertinent to the diagnosis and maintenance of complex systems consisting of hardware, software, or any combination thereof. These interfaces support service definitions for creating application programming interfaces (API) for the access, exchange, and analysis of historical diagnostic and maintenance information. This standard is published as a double logo IEC-IEEE standard.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 07-Jun-2021
• ICS: 25.040.01 - Industrial automation systems in general
• ICS: 35.060 - Languages used in information technology
• Technical Committee: TC 91 - Electronics assembly technology
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 08-Jun-2021
• Completion Date: 04-Jun-2021

Relations

• Revises: IEC 61636:2016 - Software interface for Maintenance Information Collection and Analysis (SIMICA)
• Effective Date: 05-Sep-2023

Overview

IEC 61636:2021 (SIMICA) - published jointly with IEEE (IEEE Std 1636) - is an implementation‑independent international standard that defines a software interface for maintenance information collection and analysis. It specifies how information systems should represent, exchange and analyze historical diagnostic, test result and maintenance action data for complex systems comprised of hardware, software, or both. The standard promotes interoperability across automated test systems (ATS) and maintenance data repositories by defining common elements, XML schemas, OWL ontologies and service definitions for API development.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and purpose: Implementation‑independent specification for software interfaces to systems holding diagnostic and maintenance data; supports access, exchange and analysis of historical information.
• Common information model: Defines the common elements shared between test results/session information and maintenance action information to create a consistent data class for the SIMICA family of standards.
• SIMICA family components:
  • Test results and session information (IEEE Std 1636.1)
  • Maintenance action information (IEEE Std 1636.2)
• Data models and formats:
  • Normative XML schemas and OWL ontologies are provided (see Annex A) to support machine‑readable interchange and semantic interoperability.
  • EXPRESS models and guidance on schema/ontology naming and publication are included.
• Extensibility and conformance:
  • Guidance for XML schema extensibility to support vendor‑specific or domain extensions while preserving interoperability.
  • Conformance statements and requirements for implementers to demonstrate compatibility with SIMICA semantics and APIs.
• Diagnostic maturation & usage guidance: Addresses lifecycle of diagnostic information and recommended usage of schemas, ontologies and models across revisions.

Practical applications - who should use it

IEC 61636:2021 is intended for:

• ATS vendors and system integrators implementing standardized APIs to share test results and maintenance records.
• Maintenance engineers and reliability teams who need consistent, analyzable historical diagnostic data across platforms.
• Software developers and data architects building maintenance information systems, analytics pipelines or digital twins.
• Asset managers and MRO organizations requiring interoperable exchange of maintenance actions and test sessions.
• Standards bodies and certification entities evaluating conformance and interoperability.

Benefits include improved interoperability, reduced integration effort, consistent data semantics for analytics and predictive maintenance, and a vendor‑agnostic basis for API design.

Related standards and keywords

• Related: IEEE Std 1636.1 (test results/session info), IEEE Std 1636.2 (maintenance action info)
• Keywords: IEC 61636:2021, SIMICA, IEEE 1636, maintenance information collection and analysis, software interface, API, XML schema, OWL ontology, automated test system, maintenance action information, test results interoperability.

Standards Content (Sample)

IEC 61636 ®
Edition 2.0 2021-06
™
IEEE Std 1636
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Software Interface for Maintenance Information Collection and Analysis
(SIMICA)
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IEC 61636 ®
Edition 2.0 2021-06
IEEE Std 1636™
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
colour
inside
Software Interface for Maintenance Information Collection and Analysis

(SIMICA)
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 25.040.01; 35.060 ISBN 978-2-8322-9804-6

IEEE Std 1636™-2018 – i –
Contents
1. Overview . 9
General . 9
1.1 Scope . 9
1.2 Application . 10
1.3 Precedence . 11
1.4 Conventions used in this document . 11

2. Normative references . 11

3. Definitions, acronyms, and abbreviations . 12
3.1 Definitions . 12
3.2 Acronyms and abbreviations . 12

4. Diagnostic maturation . 12

5. The SIMICA family component standards . 13
5.1 Common elements . 13
5.2 Test results and session information—IEEE Std 1636.1 . 14
5.3 Maintenance action information—IEEE Std 1636.2 . 14

6. Conformance . 14

7. XML schema extensibility . 14

8. OWL ontology and XML schema names and locations . 15

9. Use of the OWL ontologies, XML schemas, and EXPRESS models associated with the SIMICA
family of standards and their publication revisions . 16

Annex A (normative) XML schema and OWL ontology . 18

Annex B (informative) Bibliography . 43

Annex C (informative) IEEE List of participants . 44

Published by IEC under licence from IEEE. © 2018 IEEE. All rights reserved.

– ii – IEEE Std 1636™-2018
SOFTWARE INTERFACE FOR MAINTENANCE INFORMATION
COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS (SIMICA)

FOREWORD
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Published by IEC under licence from IEEE. © 2018 IEEE. All rights reserved.

IEEE Std 1636™-2018 – iii –
The text of this International Standard is based on the following documents:
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1636 (2018) 91/1716/FDIS 91/1728/RVD

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Published by IEC under licence from IEEE. © 2018 IEEE. All rights reserved.

IEEE Std 1636™-2018
(Revision of IEEE Std 1636-2009)
IEEE Standard for Software Interface
for Maintenance Information
Collection and Analysis (SIMICA)
Sponsor
IEEE Standards Coordinating Committee 20 on
Test and Diagnosis for Electronic Systems
Approved 27 September 2018
IEEE-SA Standards Board
Published by IEC under licence from IEEE. © 2018 IEEE. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Promoting and facilitating interoperability between components of automatic test systems
where test results and/or maintenance actions need to be shared is addressed in this standard. The
standard defines the common elements between both test results data and maintenance action
data. The common schema becomes a class of information that shall be used within the SIMICA
family of standards.
Keywords: automated test system (ATS), extensible markup language (XML), IEEE 1636™,
maintenance action information, OWL ontology, Software Interface for Maintenance Information
Collection and Analysis (SIMICA), test results and session information, XML schema
Published by IEC under licence from IEEE. © 2018 IEEE. All rights reserved.

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Introduction
This introduction is not part of IEEE Std 1636-2018, IEEE Standard for Software Interface for Maintenance Information
Collection and Analysis (SIMICA).
Maintainers of complex systems require the ability to capture and share test result and or maintenance
action information in a way that supports such activities as performance analysis, post-production product
improvement, maintenance process improvement, and diagnostic maturation. Principal stakeholders of this
project include but are not limited to, maintenance organizations within various Departments/Ministries of
Defense, the commercial airlines, the automotive industry, and the telecommunications industry. This standard
is being developed as a component of the IEEE Std 1636, Software Interface for Maintenance Information
Collection and Analysis (SIMICA) family. SIMICA's purpose is to specify a software interface for access,
exchange, and analysis of product diagnostic and maintenance information.
This document provides the description of the common elements the SIMICA family component (e.g., ‘dot’)
standards shall each utilize.
IEEE Standards downloads and executable files
Files are available in the IEEE 1636-2018 directory located at: https://standards .ieee.or g/ downloads.
Published by IEC under licence from IEEE. © 2018 IEEE. All rights reserved.
IEEE Standard for Software Interface
for Maintenance Information
Collection and Analysis (SIMICA)
1. Overview
General
Software Interface for Maintenance Information Collection and Analysis (SIMICA) is a family of IEEE
standards, associated web ontologies (OWL), and extensible markup language (XML) schemas which allow
automatic test system (ATS), test result and session information, and maintenance action information to be
exchanged in a common format adhering to the OWL and XML standards.
The SIMICA family of standards has been developed and is being maintained under the guidance of
IEEE Standards Coordinating Committee 20 (SCC20) to serve as a comprehensive environment for
integrating test results, test session information, and maintenance action information, while allowing this
unit under test (UUT) related data to be interchanged between heterogeneous systems.
The SIMICA family of standards is organized as a base Standard (IEEE Std 1636™— this document) and two
(2) family component standards:
— Test results and session information (IEEE Std 1636.1™)
— Maintenance action information (IEEE Std 1636.2™)
The SIMICA family ‘dot’ standards and their relationship to this document are depicted in Figure 1.
This document specifically defines the common complex types, elements and groups that are utilized by both
IEEE Std 1636.1 and IEEE Std 1636.2 OWL ontologies and XML schemas.
1.1 Scope
This standard is an implementation-independent specification for a software interface to information systems
containing data pertinent to the diagnosis and maintenance of complex systems consisting of hardware,
software, or any combination thereof. These interfaces support service definitions for creating application
programming interfaces (API) for the access, exchange, and analysis of historical diagnostic and maintenance
information.
Published by IEC under licence from IEEE. © 2018 IEEE. All rights reserved.
– 10 – IEEE Std 1636™-2018
IEEE Std 1636-2018
IEEE Standard for Software Interface for Maintenance Information Collection and Analysis (SIMICA)
Figure 1—Relationship of the SIMICA family of standards
1.2 Application
1.2.1 Of this document
This document provides formal specifications of the information required for the development of shared
maintenance data and the results of testing.
Anticipated users of this standard include the following:
a) System developers
b) System maintainers
c) Test program set (TPS) developers
d) TPS maintainers
e) Automatic test equipment (ATE) system developers
f) ATE systems maintainers
g) Test instrument developers
h) Reliability, maintainability, and diagnostic analytical applications
1.2.2 Of this document’s annexes
This document includes two annexes. Of these two, one is normative (Annex A).
Published by IEC under licence from IEEE. © 2018 IEEE. All rights reserved.
IEEE Std 1636™-2018 – 11 –
IEEE Std 1636-2018
IEEE Standard for Software Interface for Maintenance Information Collection and Analysis (SIMICA)
Annex A contains descriptive information about each of the SIMICA common XML schema and OWL
ontology elements and types.
Annex B contains the bibliography. This is informative, and thus is provided strictly as information, for both
users and maintainers of this document.
1.3 Precedence
In the event of conflict between this document and a normatively referenced standard (see Clause 2), the
normatively referenced standard, as it applies to the information being produced, shall take precedence.
In the event of conflict between this document and another SIMICA family component standard, this document
shall take precedence.
1.4 Conventions used in this document
1.4.1 General
All groups, complex types, simple types, and attribute groups are listed in Annex A. Descriptive information
for each is provided.
Where there are references to groups, complex types, simple types, and attribute groups within the associated
XML schema or OWL ontology (Simica.xsd and Simica.owl), the convention of [name] at [element] is used to
indicate where the user can locate the data within either the Simica.xsd or Simica.owl files.
Example: The 1636-2018 download at: https:// standards .ieee.or g/ downloads indicates the user is to open the
Simica.xsd schema at the location provided and find Example for the schema definition.
The namespace prefix “c:” identifies that the type or attribute group associated with this document.
All specifications for OWL and XML within this document are given in the Courier type font and italicized.
1.4.2 Word usage
In this document, the word “shall” is used to indicate a mandatory requirement. The word “should” is used to
indicate a recommendation. The word “may” is used to indicate a permissible action. The word “can” is used
for statements of possibility and capability.
2. Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document (i.e., they must
be understood and used, so each referenced document is cited in text and its relationship to this document is
explained). For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the
referenced document (including any amendments or corrigenda) applies.
World Wide Web Consortium, (W3C) extensible Markup Language (XML), 1.0 (Fifth Edition) Proposed
Edited Recommendation.
World Wide Web Consortium, (W3C) OWL Web Ontology Language (OWL 2), W3C Recommendation
Definitions, acronyms and abbreviations.
Available at: https:// www .w3 .org/ .
Published by IEC under licence from IEEE. © 2018 IEEE. All rights reserved.
– 12 – IEEE Std 1636™-2018
IEEE Std 1636-2018
IEEE Standard for Software Interface for Maintenance Information Collection and Analysis (SIMICA)
3. Definitions, acronyms, and abbreviations
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply. The IEEE Standards Dictionary
Online should be consulted for terms not defined in this clause.
diagnostic maturation: The process of monitoring diagnostic system predicted versus actual performance
to identify and implement corrective actions. The goal is to enhance diagnostic effectiveness throughout the
product life cycle. Diagnostic elements that may benefit from the maturation process include (but are not
limited to) diagnostic models, system performance models, test programs, and product design.
ontologies: A formal way to define the structure of knowledge.
system: (A) A collection of entities to be processed by applying a top-down, hierarchical approach (B) A
collection of elements forming a collective, functioning entity (C) A collection of hardware or software
components necessary for performing a function.
3.2 Acronyms and abbreviations
API application program interface
ATE automatic test equipment
ATS automatic test system
GUID globally unique identifier
OWL web ontology language
SCC20 Standards Coordinating Committee 20
SIMICA software interface to maintenance information collection and analysis
TPS test program set
URL universal resource locator
UUID universal unique identifier
UUT unit under test
W3C World Wide Web Consortium
XML extensible markup language
4. Diagnostic maturation
The process of maturing a system diagnostic design begins in the system’s conceptual design phase and
continues throughout the system life cycle. Generally, diagnostic design is demonstrated prior to delivery of
the first unit to meet the diagnostic and health management requirements that have been levied. However, once
a system is fielded and used in an operational environment, unexpected and unplanned system level design
interactions, operational and environmental stresses, performance characteristics of tests and monitors, and
other influences tend to reveal deficiencies in the diagnostic capabilities. When such deficiencies result in a
system readiness/availability or cost of ownership problem, remedial actions shall be taken:
— The performance issue must be clearly characterized in terms of scope, impact, and ownership.
The IEEE Standards Dictionary Online can be found at: available at: http://dicti onary .ieee.or g.
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— Root cause analysis must be performed to identify potential courses of actions, including adjustments,
improvements, or refinements to support and operational elements.
— The resulting courses of action must be deployed in a manner that is both economically feasible and
consistent with product functional and operational requirements.
The diagnostic maturation process requires access to design, test, diagnostic, maintenance, and logistics
support information sources. Often, this specific data of interest resides in multiple systems each with different
owners where it does exist—and it should be recognized that some data that is desirable to have might not be
captured in data systems at all.
The problem can be reduced by operating with a single, unified conceptual view of the data to be extracted
from multiple sources. Therefore, the challenge is how to extract the information of interest—heterogeneous
system failure and performance data—from the disparate data systems where it resides. The idea is to identify
the information of interest, and to create an OWL ontology so that it is clear what that data is and what it means
in the context of system usage and analysis, and then determine the process for obtaining that information.
Once data requirements and availability are determined, one can then begin to integrate the heterogeneous
information to be obtained by relating the vital information from any one system to the others that capture
related information but using disparate data formats and semantics.
Data collection is a prerequisite for the maturation process, and the product data that is typically required
for maturation analysis is generally stored in heterogeneous data systems. The SIMICA family of standards
facilitates improved access, retrieval, and integration of the requisite information from these data systems.
The intent of the SIMICA family of standards is to provide an implementation-independent specification for
an interface to information systems containing data pertinent to the diagnosis and maintenance of complex
systems consisting of hardware, software, or any combination thereof. These interfaces will support the
creation of service definitions for application programming interfaces (API) for the access, exchange, and
analysis of historical diagnostic and maintenance information. The use of OWL ontologies (in previous
version of this standard formal information models based on EXPRESS were used) facilitates exchanging
historical maintenance information between information systems and analysis tools, supporting the creation
of open system software architectures for maturing system diagnostics. The component standards will further
enhance the exchange of instance information between conforming applications through the use of standard
exchange formats.
More information on the diagnostic maturation process and associated issues can be found in IEEE Standards
Dictionary Online, Wilmering 2001 [B18], and Wilmering, Yuan, and VanRossum 2003 [B19].
5. The SIMICA family component standards
5.1 Common elements
Common elements provide for a single definition (in both XML and OWL) of types and attributes that are
utilized within both IEEE Std 1636.1 and IEEE Std 1636.2.
The Common elements are defined in the Simica.xsd schema. Simica.xsd is a subset of the
IEEE Std 1671™-2010 Common.xsd schema. The common elements defined in the Simica.xsd schema are
identical in name, type, and definition with those defined in IEEE Std 1671-2010. These SIMICA common
elements are defined in Annex A. Refer to IEEE Std 1671-2010 for the description of the Common.xsd schema.
NOTE—IEEE Std 1671-2010 does not contain an associated OWL ontology as the SIMICA family of standards provide.
Notes in text, tables, and figures of a standard are given for information only and do not contain requirements needed to implement this
standard.
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– 14 – IEEE Std 1636™-2018
IEEE Std 1636-2018
IEEE Standard for Software Interface for Maintenance Information Collection and Analysis (SIMICA)
In the event SIMICA common is found to be insufficient or an error is identified, a change proposal to this
document should be directed to the Secretary, IEEE-SA Standards Board.
5.2 Test results and session information—IEEE Std 1636.1
IEEE Std 1636.1 provides the definition of an exchange format, utilizing an OWL ontology and XML schema,
for exchanging data resulting from executing tests of a unit under test (UUT) via a test program in an automatic
test environment.
For new applications of test results and session information that do not require adherence to IEEE Std 1671, the
TestResults.xsd schema that includes Simica.xsd shall be utilized. (This schema is contained in the download
site folder 1636.1-2018, see Clause 7.)
For new or legacy applications of test results and session information that require adherence to IEEE Std 1671,
the TestResults.xsd schema that includes Common.xsd shall be utilized. (This schema is contained in the
download site folder 1636.1-2018/1671-Compatible, see Clause 7.)
5.3 Maintenance action information—IEEE Std 1636.2
IEEE Std 1636.2 provides the definition of an exchange format, utilizing an OWL ontology and XML schema,
for exchanging maintenance action information (MAI) associated with the removal, repair, and replacement
of system components to maintain/support an operational system.
For new applications of maintenance action information that do not require adherence to IEEE Std 1671,
the MaintenanceActionInformation.xsd schema that includes Simica.xsd shall be utilized. (This schema is
contained in the download site folder 1636.2-2018, see Clause 7.)
For legacy applications of maintenance action information that require adherence to IEEE Std 1671, the
MaintenanceActionInformation.xsd schema that includes Common.xsd shall be utilized. (This schema is
contained in the download site folder 1636.2-2018/1671-Compatible, See Clause 7)
6. Conformance
For new applications as defined in 5.2 and 5.3 the common SIMICA XML types and attributes (Annex A) shall
be utilized as required by the IEEE Std 1636.1 and IEEE Std 1636.2 XML schemas.
For new applications as defined in 5.2 and 5.3 the common SIMICA OWL types and attributes (Annex A) shall
be utilized as required by the IEEE Std 1636.1 and IEEE Std 1636.2 OWL ontology models.
For legacy applications as defined in 5.2 and 5.3 the common XML types and attributes defined in
IEEE Std 1671-2010 shall be utilized as required by the IEEE Std 1636.1 and IEEE Std 1636.2 XML schemas.
7. XML schema extensibility
A provision in the XML schema of an extension mechanism is necessary to ensure the viability of the
specification and allow producers and consumers of SIMICA XML instance documents to interoperate in
those cases where there is a requirement to exchange relevant data that is not included in the Simica.xsd
schema. The use of the extensions shall be done in a way that ensures that a conformant consumer can utilize
the extended file without error, discard, or otherwise sidestep the extended data and use the non-extended
portions of the data as it is intended without error or loss of functionality.
Extensions shall be additional information added to the content model of the element being extended.
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Extensions shall not repackage existing information entities tha
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