Engineering Commons^™

Display Peripheral For A Flight Simulator Using A Three-Dimensional Computer-Controlled Motor Driven Model, Kenneth Randall Flowers

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The flight simulator display peripheral, described herein, provides the visual aide necessary for observation of effects due to operator responses for any aircraft simulator which prohibits the observers from occupying space within the cockpit of the simulator.

This display peripheral is provided by a three-dimensional, computer-controlled, motor-driven model which duplicates the angular movements generated by the aircraft simulator by moving a model aircraft mounted within a clear plastic ball.

The display utilizes a Motorola 68000 educational computer board to translate the three aircraft angles. pitch, yaw and roll received from the aircraft simulator via an RS-232C compatible serial asynchronous communication …

A Projectile Subsystem In A Flight Simulation System, Robert F. Hodson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

An overview of a flight simulation system is presented with a discussion of the system components and the interaction between functional units. The functions of each unit in the visual system are described. Specifically, the projectile subsystem portion of the visual system is presented in detail. A projectile subsystem executive structure is presented with capability of controlling projectile activation and deletion. Mathematical models for missiles with linear projected impact and proportional guidance are discussed. Ballistic projectile models with and without wind and drag considerations are developed. The mathematical equations for position and attitude calculations are given. Design considerations and implementation …

A Computer Graphics Head-Up Display For Air-To-Air And Air-To-Ground Flight Simulation, Daryl R. Mair

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

A computer graphics simulation of an aircraft Head-Up Display was designed using an RDS-3000 Ikonas Graphics Processor and a PDP-11/34 host computer system. The software control and display modules were accomplished using Ikonas microcode and Digital Equipment Corporation Fortran IV-PLUS. The Head-Up Display system consists of the basic flight data, which includes aerodynamic flight information, Roll/Pitch Ladder, and the Velocity Vector or Flight Path Marker. The system was designed for flexibility in modifications and evaluation of various weapons delivery systems. These will be adapted to specific needs by research scientists and engineers at the Visual Technology Research Simulator in Orlando, …

Survey Of Texture And Shading Techniques For Visual Flight Simulation, Walter R. Steiner

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Shading and texturing are two techniques that flight simulators can take advantage of to increase scene realism. Shading imitates the effects of light reflecting from a surface. Texture refers to superimposing a pattern on a surface to give the illusion of extra detail and realism.

In this report, several techniques for shading and texturing are evaluated with respect to their applicability to visual flight simulators.

The image quality produced by shading and texturing is a function of computation cost. The Phong model is found to produce the most realistic shading, but is too computationally expensive. The Gouraud shading model improves …

Analog Flight Simulators To Computer Interface, William J. Selph

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The College of Engineering at the University of Central Florida has a flight simulator. This simulator was built as a stand-alone Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) training aid. The college has attempted on several occasions to augment this simulator system with a visual (out the cockpit view) simulation for the trainee pilot. Funding and resources have restricted or limited these enhancements to non real-time simulation. This project/thesis provides the university with part of the solution to accurate real time simulation. The simulated aircraft position and direction is acquired at 9 to 40 Hertz with 10-bit resolution. This data is made available …

A Microcomputer Implementation Of A Flight Simulator Visual Display System, Jerry Wayne Campbell

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The use of computer graphics has brought about a universal means of depicting phenomena or solving engineering problems. The combination of graphic and computer skills offers a solution to a number of technical needs. One major area that computer graphics can be used is in the field of flight simulation. The software packages necessary to project three-dimensional scenes for flight training are not very common. The purpose of this paper is to generate the programs necessary to allow the pilot to observe a three-dimensional scene from any location and angle. The report discusses some of the basic aspects of computer …

Digital Architecture For A Computer Based Imaging System, John Osborn Mcintosh

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

There is a great need for a graphic simulation system used as a training device to take the place of actual flying. A good system will greatly reduce the cost of training men as well as cut down on casualties. Several systems have been tried and are now in use. Among them are two that are worthy of more study. These are the CCTV or model board and the digital systems. Both have several disadvantages that create a need for a new system. One such system is an optically based digitally processes system that combines the best features of two …

Functional Cost Estimating Techniques Applied To Operational Flight Trainers, James H. Gardner

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Image Analysis And Improvement Of A Point Light Source Visual Flight Simulator, Steve K. Butrimas

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

It has long been desired to simulate a non-preprogrammed controllable visual scene of the real world in a limited area for the purpose of training, in particular for aviation training. There presently exists a point light source projection system designed to accomplish this, however due to physical limitations, the display image, as compared to the corresponding real world scene which is being simulated, is somewhat distorted and limited. This point light source system is analyzed to determine the distortions and deviations from reality and methods are proposed to improve the display by minimizing the distortions and deviations.

Comparative Methods-Simultaneous Solution Of Differential Equations, William Thomas Harris

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.