Constructive and Virtual Modeling Linkage

Abstract

The U.S. Army has two disparate combat models, Janus and Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) based systems. Both facilitate training, tactical development and weapons analysis. However, a major problem is that entities existing in the Janus Combat Model cannot interact with DIS entities. This paper address how to make this interaction possible, producing a synergy between the combined models, each model benefitting the other. The first step was to identify the differences between the Janus and DIS environments. Next, a software architecture was developed to store and manipulate data regarding both simulations. A communications architecture was created to allow data flow between the two environments. Finally, algorithms were developed to allow for interaction between Janus and DIS entities. The resulting product, the World Modeler (WM), integrates Janus, a two dimensional, constructive combat model, into the three dimensional, entity-level virtual battlefield of DIS. Janus entities interact in real-time with other entities in the DIS virtual world. It is a software system operating on a low-end Silicon Graphics (SGI) workstation with TCPnP and UDPnP networking capabilities.