High fidelity, physics‐based sensor simulation for military and civil applications

As real‐time, high‐fidelity visual scene simulation has become ubiquitous in the training, modeling and simulation community, a growing need for more than “out‐the‐window” scene simulation has developed. A strong requirement has developed for the ability to simulate the output of different types of sensors, especially electro‐optical (EO), infrared (IR), night vision goggle (NVG) and radar systems. To satisfy the need for advanced sensor simulation, Evans & Sutherland (E&S) has developed a physics‐based, dynamic, real‐time sensor simulation which allows users to model advanced EO, IR and NVG devices that are fully correlated with the “out‐the‐window” visual view. In this paper, the unique sensor simulation capabilities of E&S will be described. A brief description of the physics employed, input and output are presented along with example images.