VT MÄK now provides interoperability tools for web-based Modeling &Simulation (M&S) applications.
 
In recent years, several new technologies and standards have been developed in the broad Web community, which enable highly-interactive, low-latency, real-time web-based applications. Based on these technologies, it is now possible to develop web-based M&S applications like Plan View Displays, Stealth Viewers, Instructor Operator Stations, and even web-based flight simulators and first-person gaming applications. In fact, many companies and programs are doing exactly these things. But how can you achieve interoperability between your new web-based applications and traditional Live, Virtual, and Constructive simulation applications? VT MÄK can help. Just as we have always provided interoperability tools for developers of native M&S applications, we now provide interoperability tools for web-based M&S applications.
 
Enabling Web Technologies
 
  • HTML5 Canvas element - dynamic, scriptable 2D rendering
  • HTML5 Video – standard for video in a browser without plug-ins
  • WebGL – high-performance, native OpenGL/GPU-based rendering from JavaScript
  • WebSockets – bi-directional, asynchronous, flexible, low-latency networking for web applications
  • JavaScript libraries – JavaScript is the single standard language for client-side web application development. Fairly unrelated to Java (despite the name similarity), it is the language that all of the major browser developers support natively in their browsers – to allow for browser-independent web applications without requiring plug-ins. Many different languages are used for server-side applications, but for code that runs on the client side? JavaScript is used by just about everyone (even when sites also use proprietary technologies which require browser plug-ins, like Flash, Silverlight, etc).
 
Graphic Web Environments
 
These technologies can provide a viable platform in which to view or participate in distributed simulations. Each brings unique web-based 'terrain' and 'visualization' capabilities.
  • Esri ArcGIS Online – Esri has been the leading provider of Geographic Information Systems for the past 30 or so years. They have recently made a significant push to embrace the Web as a platform to create and share interactive maps. Although Eari provides a lot of geographic data, Esri's focus is on enabling you to host your GIS data.
  • Google Earth – Google, the leader in internet search, provides a web API to add Google Earth to your web pages. Although Google provides methods for you to host your data, Google Earth focuses on providing an Earth that is continually being populated wiuth geographic information.
  • OpenLayers – OpenLayers is an Open Source API for displaying map data in most modern web browsers, with no server-side dependencies. OpenLayers is completely free, Open Source JavaScript, released under the 2-clause BSD License (also known as the FreeBSD).
 
LVC Simulation Entities
 
WebLVC Server – MÄK's WebLVC Server participates in Live, Virtual, Constructive simulations on behalf of web-based federates. It uses WebSockets to communicate with the web federates using the WebLVC Protocol, which is in the SISO standards process. WebLVC Server makes it possible for you to develop web-based simulation clients using a consensus based open standard. Try it in MÄK's WebLVCTestbed.
 
Terrain Sources
 
Terrain is always an issue in distributed simulations, where many different simulators are colaberating in a common exerercise that may include live, virtual, and constructive simulations. The problems don't go away when using web technologies. A systems engineering approach still needs to be taken to ensure appropriate levels of correlation. However, source data accuracy and rigorous coordinate conversion goes a long way to make it possible to use different 'terrain' and still have reasonable correlation in some cases.
  • Esri ArcGIS – Many simulation terrain database generation systems take advantage of Esri ArcGIS in the data integration stages of the terrain database development. With ArcGIS Server web-clients, and even Computer Generated Forces simulations like VR-Forces, can use the 'integrated source' gis data as the terrain for your simulations.
  • OpenStreetMaps– The OpenStreetMap project creates and provides free geographic data and mapping under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 licence (CC BY-SA). This is a particularly good source when more specific GIS data is not needed.
  • VR-TheWorld – MÄK provides VR-TheWorld, a streaming terrain server for projects that need to host their own terrain data and provide correlated simulations using both web clients and traditional simulation tools like MÄK's Computer Generated Forces simulation VR-Forces.
 
About EDS Technologies
 
EDS Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (EDST), established in 1995, is the largest PLM and Real-Time Visual Simulation solutions provider in India, with its corporate office in Bangalore and having direct presence in Chennai, Gurgaon, Noida, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Pune, Trivandrum, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. EDST, an established Value added reseller with global leaders like Dassault Systemes, Presagis, VT-MAK provides PLM and 3D Visual simulation COTS solutions, PLM Training and Trained on-site resources bringing in the most complete solution for any size and type of industry.
 
EDST's differentiation is its domain expertise, consultative approach and hands-on understanding of customer requirements required to drive successful implementations with world class training and technical support. Having more than 17 years of experience, EDST has the largest customer base in the Indian market with more than 1000 customers from aerospace, automotive & supply chains, industrial machinery, high-tech and electronics, railways, infrastructure, consumer packaged goods, engineering service providers, defence, research and education sectors.
 
For more information log on to www.edstechnologies.com