N131-018 TITLE: Decoupled Rendering Channels to Reduce Logistical Support Spares Requirements of Large Scale Training Centers.

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Human Systems

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-205

OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate on a suite of flight simulators how to innovatively decouple image rendering channels from individual trainers, and instead provide imagery to multiple trainers simultaneously via a centralized pool of logistical support/spares resources, over a local fiber optic video distributed network.

DESCRIPTION: Currently, the hours of availability provided by each stand-alone simulator are constrained by each trainer�s dedicated image generation (IG) hardware functionality and the currency of the images on that hardware. Moreover licensing and maintenance of today's image generators is fragmented, duplicative, and costly.

In order to better keep pace with continually updated and increasingly detailed imagery being made available, research is needed to determine how image generation architecture could be improved. Experts predict that large scale training centers may be not viable in the long term without this type of innovation, due to the complexity and detail available for rendering. Just as image generation architecture has moved from dedicated purpose computing into PCs, it is inevitable that the next step would be into distributed fiber optic video distributed network, thus providing better logistical/maintenance support and sparing for large scale simulation (e.g., see reference for the new P-8A aircraft) training centers, and commercial training facilities that provide multiple flight simulators at one location.

The resulting centralized Image Generation (IG) should improve availability, reduce costs, and make possible uninterrupted training to occur - while conducting simultaneous imagery updates.

PHASE I: Design and prove the feasibility of a systems architecture for a suite of flight simulation devices that could centralize imagery generation. Address production cost issues, licensing issues, and design risks. Where possible, identify and mitigate risks anticipated to arise during Phase II. Demonstrate conceptual design and project feasibility of the new system configuration.

PHASE II: Develop the technical solution as a prototype. Demonstrate and validate the device effectiveness in a training system.

PHASE III: Integrate the solution into training simulator programs. Transition the proposed solution.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Expanding the success of the new centralized imagery production architecture simulator systems configuration to other military, foreign military, and the commercial simulation industry.

REFERENCES:
1. Banerjee, S., Mukherjee, I., &Mahanti, P.K. (2009). Cloud Computing Initiative Using Modified Ant Colony Framework. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology. 56 221-224

2. Benlachtar, Y., Watts, P. M., Bouziane, R., Milder, P., Koutsoyannis, R., Hoe, J. C., Puschel, M., Glick, M., & Killey, R. (2010). Real-Time Digital Signal Processing for the Generation of Optical Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed Signals. Selected Topics in Quantum Mechanics, 16 (5) 1235 - 1244

3. Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (2010). Information Security Briefing 01/2010: Cloud Computing, http://www.cpni.gov.uk/Docs/cloud-computing-briefing.pdf

4. STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF TRAINING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, September 23, 2010 Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel & Readiness) Readiness and Training Policy and Programs.

5. P-8A Training Simulators Make their Debut, (2012). NAVAIR News. http://www.navair.navy.mil/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.NavairNewsStory&id=4898

KEYWORDS: Decoupled Rendering; training; system architecture; image generation; Simulation, Logistical support/Spares

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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