BBN Technologies

The Asio Semantic Bridge for Relational Databases (SBRD) is a standalone tool that enables the integration of relational databases into a Semantic Web environment. Asio SBRD provides a simple interface to a self-contained system that is easily integrated into legacy and heritage systems and requires little customization. When used in conjunction with Asio Cartographer, sharing your data is easier than ever before.

Methodology

Asio SBRD's revolutionary methodology effortlessly integrates a relational database into our Semantic Distributed Query architecture. Asio SBRD provides the necessary translation mechanism to transform a semantic query (SPARQL) to SQL and returns the results in RDF. First, a data source ontology is auto-created in the OWL Web Ontology Language SWRL (Semantic Web Rule Language). Mapping rules from the data source ontology to a pre-existing domain ontology are then created graphically with Asio Cartographer and Asio Semantic Query Decomposition (SQD) using a simple drag and drop interface. The new data source is added to the configuration, and the database becomes available for semantic queries. This entire integration process requires no changes to the existing system and does not require any new code to be written.

Query Estimation Component

When several interrelated queries are queued in Asio SBRD, how does the tool determine which should be processed first? Generally queries with value-assigned variables will produce faster results than unbound variables. However, this is not always the case. Using the Query Estimation Component, Asio SBRD calculates average completion time and result count for any given query. With this information, Asio SBRD can prevent the system from asking a query that would return an exhaustive set of results. Instead, Asio SBRD optimizes its procedure by assigning specific values to variables in the original query - increasing efficiency, improving accuracy, and saving time.

The Asio Semantic Bridge for Relational Databases is an integral part of the Asio tool suite. Asio SBRD's unique features and capabilities allow relational databases to enable the Semantic Web in a self-contained system and easily incorporate into existing systems without adding costly customization or overhead. For more information or to request a demo, please send inquiries to asio@bbn.com.