Summary of Visual Trends Briefing to the FSGC

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Summary of Visual TrendsBriefing to the FSGC

• Updated November 2009
• Philippe Perey, Technology Director

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Briefing Agenda

• Progress trends in Image Generators
• Progress trends in Projectors
• Progress trends in Databases
• Visual Systems Vendor Trends

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Progress and Trends in Image Generators

• All but Rockwell Collins have completed the PC
  Graphics transition, even in their highest-end
  products
• Use of either Nvidia or ATI graphics platforms
• When set up correctly, full COTS graphics now
  meet or exceed the image quality of best
  proprietary platforms
• Most new systems delivered with digital DVI
  interface to fixed-matrix projectors
• IG channels can generally drive over 2 million
  pixels per channel, supporting interfaces to all
  HD or lower-res projectors on market
• Several vendors have calligraphic-card options
  for their PC-based image generators for the
  update markets

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Progress and Trends in Image Generators (Contd)

• OpenGL retains prominence as graphics interface
  on virtually all visual simulation products
• Despite prominence of Windows as O/S of choice
• Pixels and polygons performance now mostly
  meaningless
• Most products can potentially achieve 100,000
  polygons _at_60 Hz
• No solid metrics to compare products on effective
  performance
• Focus is now on realism and content
• Exploit gaming techniques to improve modeling of
  special effects (snow, rain), weather and
  lighting
• Optimize processing to make the above capacity
  available at sustained iteration rates, required
  by all high-end FFS or FMS specifications

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Progress and Trends in Projectors

• Transition away from CRT projectors is complete
• New systems are almost all LCoS-based
• Sony and JVC both have projectors that achieved
  Level-D
• Most consumer products limited to HD resolution
• Some systems delivered with DLP technology
• Specialty products from 3D Perception, Christie
  or others
• Many consumer products used in low-end
  applications
• Legacy CRT supported with calligraphic-card
  options in newer image generators
• Existing CRT systems still supported via several
  providers (VDC Corporation, Barco, others)

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Progress and Trends in Projectors (Contd)

• LCoS Projectors
• Barco fielded a 3.2M pixel projector, 8.8M is
  available, 10M in work.
• SEOS (2015HC), and RC/ES have equivalent 3.2M
  pixel projectors.
• Provide better resolution, with contrast and
  smear improvements.
• LED Projectors
• Christie, who dominate the cinema market, have an
  LED light source projector called STIM. Claim
  50,000 hours of operation.
• Will provide lower operating cost, and better
  brightness stability.
• Laser Projectors
• Exclusive to military market due to higher cost.
  RDE fielded a system.
• Maintain advantage in smear and NVG stimulation.
• Not an industry wide trend.

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Progress and Trends in Visual Databases

• All providers have a world database of some form
  into which the training areas or airports are
  inserted
• Content automation trend Rockwells Themels,
  Diamond Visionics Genesis RT, CAEs Motif
  Compositing
• All involve smart blending and rules to expand
  sparse data.
• Advantages reduced data costs, shorter
  development time, can go to very high resolution.
• Widespread use of satellite imagery as basis of
  database content
• Most data preparation now done in standard tools
  like ArcMAP
• Challenges database production to produce
  correlated 3D content
• Many upcoming production tools to support
  easier/faster content creation with WYSIWYG
  (remember the WordPerfect to Word transition?)

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Progress and Trends in Visual Databases (Contd)

• Defense forces eagerly awaiting solution to
  constant database rebuilds and lack of broader
  content reuse
• Four formats in US military trying to fulfill
  this need
• US SOCOMs CDB, Air Forces TSPG CDS, Navys NPSI
  and US Armys SECore MDB
• SEDRIS and SIF now mostly defunct
• OpenFlight retains ad hoc interchange in several
  cases
• FAA Part 60 changing civil database market
• Providers now offering services to keep scenes
  current
• Challenge to access airport information post 9/11
• Concern as advisory shifts into rule/law

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Visual Systems Vendor Trends

• Civil FFS providers increasing vertical
  integration of visual systems
• Thales have now announced entry into civil visual
  simulation with their ThalesView product
• CAE with Tropos, FSI with Vital Series, Thales
  with ThalesView, Rockwell with EP series
• Mechtronix prefer independent Redifun
• Fragmented military-only visual suppliers
  Quantum3D, Diamond Visionics, Aechelon and others
• SEOS just acquired by Rockwell-Collins, and will
  be integrated under that brand
• Was only proven independent supplier of 11-ft
  collimated displays
• Will likely encourage industry to embrace a new
  independent