The Software Required for the Computer Generation of Virtual Environments

Presence, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 130-140..Accepted/Published Paper (Refereed

NPSOFF: An Object Description Language for Supporting Virtual World Construction

Computers & Graphics, Vol. 17, No. 4, pp 457-464, January 25, 1994.Accepted/Published Paper (Refereed

Passive, Domain-Independent, End-to-End Message Passing Performance Monitoring to Support Adaptive Applications in MSHN

This paper focuses on the problem of monitoring the end-to-end performance of message passing to support adaptive applications to be executed using the MSHN system (Management System for Heterogeneous Networks). Eight commercial and research tools and application components that attempt to measure perceived end-to-end message passing performance were identified. Two were dismissed; one because of recently published findings and the other because it is typically used in too many inconsistent configurations. The remaining six are carefully described in the paper. We were able to characterize each as either passive or active, determine whether they require domain-specific knowledge of an application, identify sources of inaccuracies, and enumerate their limitations. Based upon this survey, and previous analytical experiments, we conclude that the optimal monitoring mechanism: (1) should be passive; (2) should not require domain-specific knowledge of an application; (3) should minimize sources of error; and (4) should have few limitations. No single tool or application component surveyed has all of these characteristics. Based upon the surveyed work and other recent research in distributed systems, we have synthesized a new tool whose mechanisms have all of the desired characteristics. This paper describes our mechanism, and how we implemented it, in detail

A data structure for a multi-illumination model renderer.

The rendering of realistic computer images is important for many scientific, technical and commercial and endeavors. Available literature provides the mathematical models to be utilized by a renderer. Lacking from the literature though are implementation details. This study examines some of the existing illumination and shading models and present a data structure and initial design for a multi-illumination model renderer.http://archive.org/details/datastructurefor00falbLieutenant Commander, United States NavyApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Should S1000D be required by the Department of Defense?

The purpose of this analysis was to determine whether S1000D, an international specification for technical publications, should be required in Department of Defense (DoD) acquisitions. Based on the information and opinions gathered from nearly 200 participants in the study, we conclude that S1000D should be a required standard for technical publications across the DoD. This action should be taken in conjunction with a program to implement, transition, and promote its success. This program would include a set of critical provisions for DoD to: (1) manage/govern the use of the standard; (2) promote the use of the standard; (3) support adoption and evolution of the standard; and (4) establish and enforce use of the standard.Contract number: XJ9H5R9XT376MP.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

Mobile Agents and Smart Networks for Distributed Simulations

in the Proceedings of the 14th DIS Workshop, 11 - 15 March 1996, Orlando, Florida.Accepted/Published Conference Pape

A data structure for a multi-illumination model rendere

The rendering of realistic computer images is important for many scientific, technical and commercial and endeavors. Available literature provides the mathematical models to be utilized by a renderer. Lacking from the literature though are implementation details. This study examines some of the existing illumination and shading models and present a data structure and initial design for a multi-illumination model renderer. Keywords: light rays; ray tracing; computer graphics; computer generated imagessupported by contract from the United States Army Combat Developments Experimentation Center and a grant from the Naval Ocean Systems Center.http://archive.org/details/datastructurefor00zydaN0001486WR4B123ACNAApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited

NPSNET and the Naval Postgraduate School Graphics and Video Laboratory

The Naval Postgraduate School Networked Vehicle Simulator IV (NPSNET-IV) is a lowcost, student written, real-time networked vehicle simulator that runs on commercial, off-theshelf workstations (the Silicon Graphics IRIS family of computers). NPSNET-IV has been developed at the Naval Postgraduate School’s (NPS) Department of Computer Science in the Graphics and Video Laboratory. It utilizes Simulation Network (SIMNET) databases and SIMNET and Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) networking formats. The DIS networking format is flexible enough to allow multiple players to game over the Internet. The availability of NPSNET-IV lowers the entry costs of researchers wanting to work with SIMNET, DIS and follow- on systems. Without the contributions of the department’s MS and Ph.D. candidates, the NPSNET project would be impossible to maintain and continue. The diversity of their interests accounts for the broad range of research areas within the project

NPSNET-human: inserting the human into the networked synthetic environment

The NPSNET Research Group is working in the area of robust representations of humans and real-time interactions in the DIS synthetic environment. Our focus is on building the software bed for applications such as medical corpsmen rescue training and dismounted infantry in the DIS environment. In conjunction with our academic, government and industry partners, recent work has included novel hierarchical networking of multi-resolution humans in the DIS synthetic environment, accurate articulated human viewpoints, simple networked wounding, networked autonomous evacuation units, real-time arm articulations and realistic wounding model investigations. Planned work over the next two years includes networked Personal Status Monitors, multi-resolution view switching, networked autonomous air evacuations units, accurate wounding model integration, dynamic object networking, physiological model integration, energy extraction input device integration, and the completion of the full-up human in the NPSNET/DIS synthetic environment