The diagram shows the division of DCF libraries into layers. The top layer "application" contains the base-level application component, which is the entry point for the application. During initialization, the selected Common Services Adapters are installed, and then objects from just two libraries are all that is needed to perform the real work of implementing the Storage SCP.

Architectural Features of DCF

For building DICOM software, the DCF SDK provides an advanced, object-oriented, component-based DICOM software architecture that represents the next-generation implementation of the DICOM protocol. This framework provides robust, portable, high-performance implementations of DICOM in C#.NET, Java®, and C++ with simple yet powerful APIs.

• Advanced, object-oriented, component-based architecture implemented in managed code
• Pluggable common services, such as logging and configuration management
• Multi-threaded implementation
• Component-based logging, debugging, and configuration

DCF Support for Developers

The DCF's high-level interfaces to DICOM services means that detailed knowledge of the DICOM protocol is not required of the DICOM software application developer. It is the only toolkit on the market that provides comprehensive DICOM support for multiple languages and operating systems, including Windows (x86 & x64), Linux (x86 & x64), and Solaris.

• Example DICOM client and server programs for all major SOP classes
• Example DICOM tools that solve a variety of common problems
• Component-based framework facilitates rapid application development
• Multi-language support: C#.Net, Java, or C++
• Multi-platform support: Windows, Linux, Solaris, or other Unix platform
• Full built-in DICOM compression support, plus optional integration with Aware's JPEG libraries
• Multiple integration models
• Automatic generation of makefiles, Visual Studio project files, configuration files, and docs
• Online API and application documentation
• Automatically generated debug and trace instrumentation
• Web-based service/diagnostic/configuration interfaces with real-time access and update
• IOD object generation technology - custom Java, C++, or C#.Net wrappers for DICOM data sets are automatically generated

Why Choose the DICOM Connectivity Framework?

The DCF's next-generation DICOM Toolkit framework provides reliable, high-level components to help speed your DICOM interface development and reduce software costs on your platform of choice. Handling all the nuances of DICOM, the DCF allows your programmers to concentrate their efforts on your domain specific DICOM software application rather than on learning DICOM.

Connectivity — The DCF provides trouble-free, reliable connectivity in diverse environments. It has been tested and proven in and against a wide variety of OEM devices from leading manufacturers.

Flexibility — We balance the opposing requirements of abstracting or encapsulating complexity, yet still provide access to lower level elements, allowing the OEM developer to choose the appropriate level at which to integrate DICOM services.

Reliability — Using our proprietary automated testing software, publicly available DICOM validation tools, memory leak/corruption test tools, and a large test suite, the DCF is rigorously tested.

Performance — The DCF was designed from the start to provide a high performance DICOM interface in a multi-threaded, OO design, capable of handling numerous associations in a single process.

Support — Web-based problem tracking assures that no issue or problem slips through the cracks. Customers receive prompt telephone and e-mail support, and have access to senior developers when appropriate.

Documentation — Most DCF documentation is generated directly from source code, so that low-level interface (API) and class documentation is always up-to-date and available. User, service, design, and higher-level architectural documentation is also provided.

Configurability — The DCF supports configuration on a per-association basis and dynamic reconfiguration of running applications.

Utilities — A rich set of DICOM tools and utilities is provided in the DCF Dicom Toolkit, including web-based test and troubleshooting tools, test image generation, command-line driven clients and servers, data set dump, along with access to a large suite of validation test scripts.

Applications — Other DICOM software applications and DICOM tools, based on DCF libraries, are available, including tools to support the following functions: message filter, protocol analyzer, message router, store splitter, migration controller and printer simulator. The DCF enables rapid development of your own applications, including DICOM viewers, DICOM store servers and clients, protocol analyzers and migration tools, among many others.

Cost — The DCF development tools and run-time licenses are competitively priced. The ease of integration of the DCF components using modern OO programming practices provides significant reduction in time-to-market and software development costs, lowering the total cost of ownership and making the DCF the clear choice for new development efforts, as well as for retrofits of existing products.

Adaptability — Customers always have input into our development efforts. The modern design, combined with our rigorous testing processes, allows the DCF to provide robustness without the inflexibility frequently associated commercial software packages. We are extremely responsive to customer needs for new feature requests or bug fixes. Our component model provides for the ability, in many cases, to release a new version of a single component without affecting other components.