October 01, 1997
Pittsburgh, PA - TerraSim has delivered the final version of the Az Zubayr database to the U.S. Army Topographic Engineering Center for use as a technology demonstration during the Synthetic Theatre of War (STOW) '97 exercise. The Az Zubayr database demonstrates a completely automated approach to the construction of a complex simulation database, with no manual editing or augmentation of the input cartographic data or the output database. This project also marks the first use of National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA) Mission Specific Data Set (MSDS) feature data in the construction of a simulation database.
The goal of the effort was to take NIMA Framework Data and automatically produce a simulation database with integrated features and models. Foundation Elevation Data (DTED Level II) and MSDS feature data provided the base geospatial source information. The MSDS data was provided in NIMA-standard Vector Product Format (VPF) with Controlled Image Base (CIB) coverage. Thirty unique feature types were represented, with 11 requiring automated integration into the terrain skin.
Michael Polis, Head of Visual Simulation at TerraSim, described the experiment as challenging and groundbreaking. "This is a very dense database, with a large number of highly-detailed features. Fortunately, the NIMA carto data was very accurate and consistent. We had detailed technical discussions with both NIMA and USATEC and were able to solve a number of novel technical problems in a very short period of time."
Database construction was performed using TerraTools™, TerraSim's simulation database construction system which enables the automated processing of cartographic data into simulation databases. Using TerraTools, an integrated triangulated irregular network (ITIN) containing roads, elevated roads, berms, revetments, and quarries was created. Models of buildings, pipelines, fences, and transmission lines were automatically generated from the NIMA feature data. Over 1700 buildings and storage tank models with color-coded functional attribution were automatically generated and placed within an 18km by 12km area. 370 km of roads and 290 km of embankments were automatically generated and integrated into the terrain skin, and 400 km of linear models (fences, hedgerows, pipelines, powerlines, and free-standing walls) were placed without manual intervention.
The high level of automation demonstrated in the Az Zubayr experiment significantly reduced the production time and increased the realism of the final database, compared to comparable exercise databases.
About TerraSim
TerraSim is a high technology startup company, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which specializes in simulation database construction services and in the development of tools for simulation database construction.
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