Radar simulation for use with a visual simulator

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG.
1, a block diagram of a radar image simulation system in accordance with the present invention is shown.
The system comprises a geographic data base 10 having an output connected to an input of an image generator 20 for supplying landmass descriptors such as terrain, planimetry, and cultural objects and features, thereto, and a radar processor 30 having two inputs respectively connected to two outputs of image generator 20 for receiving plan view data.
Radar processor 30 includes another input connected to yet another output of image generator 20 for receiving intervening terrain data.
Geographic data base 10 is supplied with digital feature analysis data (DFAD) and digital terrain elevation data (DTED) at respective inputs thereof such as from a data base generation system (not shown) as is known in the art.
DFAD may be obtained from sources such as the Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) or from a cartographic source for defining the terrain and features of a geographic landmass area.
The DFAD may be modified to be represented by polygons, or faces, whose vertices and attributes, such as color, texture, translucency, etc.
, are stored in geographic data base 10 for recall and use by image generator 20 during video image processing.
Also stored in geographic data base 10 are elevation and reflectivity data along with feature type and surface material type which may be used during radar video generation.
Image generator 20 processes information received from data base 10 in response to operator inputs (not shown) that indicate simulated position within the stored information of data base 10 for forming video images, such as visual video and/or infrared video.
Typically, image generator 20 will include one or more general and/or special purpose computers.
Detailed operation of a video generator may be had by reference to U.
S.
Pat.
No.
4,727,365 --Bunker et al entitled "Advanced Video Object Generator" assigned to the assignee hereof and incorporated in its entirety herein by reference thereto