====== STC-003 — Establish a Test Timeline ======

[[dido:03-dido-te:99-annexes:annex-c-requirements:03-functional-requirements:03-05-state-and-time-control-requirements:start|Go to C.3.5 State and Time Control Requirements]]

===== Statement =====

The [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:d:dido-te|DIDO-TE]] SHALL establish the **test timeline** specified by the governing [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_definition|Test Definition]].

===== Source =====

  * [[dido:03-dido-te:99-annexes:annex-b-references:dte-001|[DTE1] U.S. Patent Application US20220237111A1]], defined and artificial timelines for testing, simulation, and training; virtual system time independent of real time
  * [[dido:03-dido-te:99-annexes:annex-b-references:dte-003|[DTE3] Broad Agency Announcement White Paper]], State and Time Control
  * [[dido:03-dido-te:99-annexes:annex-b-references:dte-005|[DTE5] DIDO-TE Requirements Register]], State and Time Control source requirements

===== Rationale =====

Distributed-system behavior may depend upon the temporal context in which test activities occur.

A **test timeline** provides the temporal context against which activities within a [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_environment|Test Environment]] are executed and interpreted.

The governing [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_definition|Test Definition]] specifies the test timeline required for the test. DIDO-TE establishes that timeline for use during [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_execution|Test Execution]].

The **test timeline** is distinct from **wall-clock time**. DIDO-TE source material permits test time to be independent of real time and permits the temporal behavior of a test to be controlled without requiring equivalent passage of wall-clock time.

Establishing a test timeline is distinct from setting its starting point, controlling its rate, or resetting it. Those obligations are governed separately by STC-004, STC-005, and STC-006.

This requirement does not prescribe a clock implementation, simulation engine, time service, synchronization protocol, or operating-system time mechanism.

===== Applies To =====

  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:d:dido-te|DIDO-TE]]
  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_environment|Test Environment]]
  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_definition|Test Definition]]
  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:t:test_execution|Test Execution]]
  * [[dido:99_annexes:annex-b-terms-and-definitions:c:configuration|Configuration]]

===== Verification =====

Verification confirms that:

  - The governing Test Definition specifies a test timeline.
  - The specified test timeline is established before it is used during Test Execution.
  - The established test timeline can be distinguished from wall-clock time.
  - The established test timeline is traceable to the governing Test Definition.
  - Establishment of the test timeline does not require a particular clock service, simulation engine, time-synchronization protocol, or operating-system time mechanism.

Verification includes a Test Definition specifying a test timeline and confirms that the specified timeline exists as the temporal context for Test Execution.

===== Traceability =====

{{backlinks>.}}

===== ConOps Relationship =====

This requirement establishes the **test timeline** used as the temporal context for Test Execution.

STC-004 sets the timeline starting point, STC-005 controls the rate at which the timeline progresses, and STC-006 resets the timeline for repeated execution.

===== Delivery Phase =====

TBD

===== Requirement Status =====

Draft

===== Statement Reference =====

<code dokuwiki>
{{section>dido:03-dido-te:99-annexes:annex-c-requirements:03-functional-requirements:03-05-state-and-time-control-requirements:stc-003-establish-a-test-timeline#Statement&noheader&nofooter&noeditbtn}}
</code>

----

<WRAP centeralign>
© 2026 Dido Solutions, Inc. and Jackrabbit Consulting, Inc.
</WRAP>