Role based interoperability approaches within LVC federations

The idea of the magic circle, frequently referenced in the serious gaming community, is explained and then shown to be a possible perspective to view live-virtual-constructive (LVC) simulation federations. This view opens the method of categorizing different roles and data capabilities for the various elements and actors within an LVC federation. The applicability of this view is shown in some explanatory detail, including a description of its applicability to simulations, the different types of roles, and the variety of knowledge (procedural and propositional) that can be qualified when the federation is viewed this way. Structured identification of the federation elements and the data they are exchanging is relied on to describe peculiar data interoperability issues that exist within current LVC federation architectures, and which may also affect future LVC federation architectures currently under development.