High-Fidelity Runtime Terrain Database Engine

Advances in 3D display, visualization and remote sensing technologies provide an unprecedented opportunity to achieve a “20/20” terrain representation, whose resolution would match human perceptual ability. The barriers to this revolution are the difficulties in processing high-resolution sensed-data into a Modeling & Simulation (M&S) terrain model, the lack of support for raster-based semantic data in constructive simulation terrain models, and difficulties in scaling current runtime terrain model formats to the data density required. Enhancing raster and point-cloud support in M&S terrain models will help them “track” the fidelity of the original source data. Advanced compression techniques, with a “streaming” capability for terrain users, would reduce the terrain model’s “disk footprint” and increase performance. In this project, UtopiaCompression and Lockheed Martin will team up to exploit emerging technologies to build a high-fidelity terrain engine for simulation. We will focus on investigating, designing, and prototyping an innovative pattern-driven terrain modeling and compression technology, applied to efficient runtime display, query and manipulation of high resolution terrain data for M&S services. The proposed effort will result in software tools satisfying storage, accuracy, and performance constraints to support the full-spectrum (Live, Virtual, and Constructive) of M&S while providing correlation to the real world.