Image Generators

Where does an Image Generator fit within the system architecture?

Image generators provide visual scenes of the simulation environment from the perspective of the participants. These can be displayed on hardware as simple as a desktop monitor, or as complex as a multiple projector dome display. The scenes can be rendered in the visible spectrum for "out-the-window" views or in other wavelengths to simulate optical sensors. In any case, the Image generator must generate scenes very quickly to maintain a realistic sense of motion.  

Download the Tech Savvy Guide here, which goes into great detail about the Image Generator and other components of a simulation system.

How does MAK software fit within an Image Generator?

VR-Vantage is the core of MAK Image Generation solution. It uses best-of-breed technologies to custom-tailor high-quality visual scenes of the synthetic environment for your specific simulation needs. VR-Vantage IG can be used as a standalone Image generator, connected to a host simulation via CIGI, DIS, or HLA protocols. VR-Vantage is also used as the rendering engine for all MAKs graphic applications, including VR-Engage (multi-role virtual simulator), VR-Forces (Computer generated forces), and VR-Vantage (battlefield visualization). 

• Multi-channel distributed rendering – VR-Vantage IG takes advantage of the power of the latest NVIDIA graphics processing units (GPU) to render to one, or more, displays per computer.  When very large fields of view are needed, VR-Vantage can be set up to distribute the rendering task across multiple computers each running the VR-Vantage Display Engine. When tight frame synchronization is needed between channels, VR-Vantage can support NVIDIA's professional graphics cards that perform hardware synchronization to an external synchronization source (also known as G-Sync). 
• Distortion Correction – When rendering to complex surface shapes, like those used to surround a cockpit with "out-the-window" video, VR-Vantage IG includes a plugin made by Scalable Display Technologies that warps the image to match the shape of the display surface.
• High Fidelity Sensor Visualization – VR-Vantage IG can, optionally, be configured with SensorFX to convert the visual scene into an accurately rendered sensor scene to simulate night vision goggles, infrared, and other optical wavelengths. 
• Correlated Terrain – MAK’s approach to terrain – terrain agility – ensures that you can use the terrain formats you need, when you need them. VR-Vantage, VR-engage, and VR-Forces all support many of the terrain technologies used throughout the industry. We can also help you develop custom terrains and integrate them with correlated terrain solutions to ensure interoperability with other exercise participants. 
• Open Standards Compliance –VR-Vantage supports the Computer Image Generator Interface (CIGI) standard as well as the High Level Architecture (HLA) and Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) protocols.