Recent advances in technology have exposed enough computing power in easily available hardware that geometry synthesis algorithms that we were previously prohibitively compute-intensive are now a possibility. There is significant untapped potential in this area that has gone underutilized in existing simulation systems. Increasing the realism and accuracy of synthetic environments has become a priority, but current methods of simulating complex terrain features requires manual, labor-intensive systems to generate certain complex terrain features accurately. In this effort, Cognitics proposes to research and define new techniques, algorithms, and methods to simulate complex terrain features and urban environments, and use these techniques to extend existing real-time simulation systems to make them capable of real-time modeling, integration, and interaction with complex terrain features. Cognitics has proven experience working with and developing software for the storage and analysis of geospatial data, computational geometry and 3D visualization systems. Notably, the Principal Investigator for this proposal, Kevin Bentley, is the software architect that designed the Master Database (MDB), currently used by SE Core. In this effort, Cognitics will partner with CAE to enhance the Run Time Publisher (RTP) system allowing it to provide complex terrain models in real-time.
Benefit: This research and development effort will ultimately lead to a dramatic improvement in the accuracy and realism of synthetic environments used in real-time simulations as well as pre-compiled terrain databases. Previously labor intensive modeling efforts were needed to accurately simulate complex underground, and urban terrain features that are seamlessly integrated with the terrain. The software techniques and modules designed and developed as part of this effort will provide automated means to generate these features using existing data sources.
Keywords: Terrain Database, Terrain Database, Urban, MDB, runtime publishing, NPSI, Terrain, GIS, CDB
