SBIR-STTR Award

Low-cost production of visual systems will be achieved by (1) limiting the output to monochrome scenes suitable for nvg simulation and (2) using a novel architecture. It consists of multiple identical 3d/perspective transformation and rendering modules that can be mass-produced at very low cost, and it contains a mechanism that allows one to operate such modules in parallel, generating scenes of arbitrary complexity. Thus it will also be possible to minimize cost for each specific trainer system by building into it only as many parallel modules as needed to achieve the required scene complexity. Use of the latest off-the-shelf and custom vlsi circuitry will further reduce production cost.

Keywords:
VISUAL SYSTEMS GOGGLES NIGHT VISION LOW COST PARALLELISM SIMULATION MODULES PRODUCTION

Advancements in hardware architecture, software algorithms and integrated circuit performance, have enabled W.W. Gaertner Research, Inc. to develop a new generation of advanced display generators. Furthermore, they will accommodate Silicon Graphics software libraries and development tools, hence, facilitating model and database development. Through incorporation of the hypercube architecture into W.W. Gaertner Research, Inc.'s proprietary parallel graphics design, great strides have been made toward an easy to use, photorealistic, real-time "workstation". With the potential of 5,000,000 polygons per frame, its performance is beyond any system currently designed, planned or even anticipated. Incorporation of both custom and commercially available VLSI circuitry is a key element of the system. While the concept of the hypercube or photorealism are not new, it is only within the past year that circuits and algorithms have been available to maximize their utility in a single design. Aside from the great power of the system, it will have the added benefit of compatibility with current silicon Graphics software. Instead of having to learn a new system, developers will simply program on the ultimate "workstation". This effort is not only attractive because it advances the state-of-the-art, but also because of its wide acceptance into the aerospace and commercial market.