CIGI - A COMMON IMAGE GENERATOR

INTERFACE

Robert Lechner/Willard PhelpsBoeing Training Systems and Services

- (September 2002) -

Robert Lechner/Willard PhelpsBoeing Training Systems and Services

- (September 2002) -

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CIGI, What Is It?

• On-the-wire protocol for host-to-image generator interface control definition.

• Provides a high level of abstraction, simple to use.• Plug-and-play type interface.• API provided to remove error-prone data packaging.• Released open-source, non-proprietary under a GNU Lesser

General Public License.

Host Simulation

CIGI SDK

CIGI API

CIGI

IG Run-Time

CIGI SDK

CIGI API

CIGICIGI Messages

Data & Synchronization

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Why do we need CIGI?• Most image generators (IG’s) have a proprietary interface

that is labor intensive to integrate.

• System Integrators have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars integrating image generators on various programs over the years.

• While most IG’s share common controlling attributes, they do not share a common interface, thus no mechanism to capitalize on previous investments.

• These attributes can be collected into a generic interface that can be standardized throughout the industry, thus CIGI.

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Common IG Control Attributes• Activating/deactivating objects• Moving objects in world space (6 DOF)• Moving view volumes in world space (6 DOF)• Defining the view in display space• Coordinate system definition• Data timing• Environment control

– time of day

– weather

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How does it gain acceptance?• Follow in the footsteps of other widely accepted standards

like OpenFlightTM and DIS:– Provide the interface as open-source.

– Provide detailed documentation.

– Ensure thorough testing on major platforms.

– Provide tools to ease test and integration efforts.

– Provide a common forum for distribution and bug tracking.

– Provide engineering resources to manage the code base.

– Show proven cost savings.

– Get customer buy-in.

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Availability• All data and documentation are available on www:\\

cigi.sourceforge.net– includes ICD, API, and SDK

– on-line forum for help, bug tracking, and distribution list

• ICD contains complete definition of all data packets

• ANSI C design tested on W2K, Linux, IRIX, AIX UNIX, VxWorks, and Solaris.

• CIGI Host emulator test tool with scripting interface soon to be available.

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Benefits• Greatly reduce integration and testing costs

– Reuse of existing code.

– Consistent database configuration interface.

– Off-line validation tool for IG functionality and database compliance.

$200,000

$600,000

$100,000

$500,000

$0

$400,000

$300,000

Existing Program Example:

Current IG integration cost $455,000

CIGI integration cost estimate $50,000 with integration support from CIGI API.

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CIGI Design Concepts

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CIGI Design Concepts• CIGI draws from the better interfaces being used today.

• Generic packet design that can be used by any IG.– definition/control/data request/data response packet types

• Uses primitives as building blocks to construct simulation scenarios: – visual display characteristics

– entity manipulation

– sensor behavior

– atmospheric phenomena.

• Use Parent/Child relationship for linking/destroying objects

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Entity Creation Example

• Five Entity Control blocks to instantiate– F-15 parent

– Bomb rack child to F-15 parent

– Bomb child to bomb rack parent

• Component Control block activates lights embedded in F-15

• Articulated Part Control modifies stabilator

F-15 with bomb racks and collision lights

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CIGI Design Concepts• Double precision data• Data synchronization

– Synchronous and asynchronous operation supported

– Master start of frame

• Version control• API Specific

– Built-in Big Endian/Little Endian conversion, i.e. MIPS/PPC to Intel/AMD.

– Multiple connections

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Architectural Overview• Interface Control Document

– detailed document defining data packets, coordinate systems, data synchronization, and general usage

• Application Programmers Interface– data initialization and packing/unpacking, endian conversion, error

checking

• Software Development Kit– sample development code, messaging utilities

Client/Server Routines

CIGI API

CORE ROUTINESPack / Unpack

Message Buffering

Compatibility

Utility Routines

CIGI SDK

Current Status

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CIGI 2.0 Packets

IGEntityComponent Articulated PartRate

EnvironmentWeatherViewSensorUser-definable

Control Packets

TrajectorySpecial EffectViewCollision DetectSwept Volume

Height Above TerrainHeight of TerrainLine of Sight OccultLine of Sight Range

Definition Packets

Data Request Packets

Start of FrameHeight Above TerrainHeight of TerrainCollision Detection

Data Response Packets

Line of Sight OccultLine of Sight RangeIG ResponseUser-definable

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Documents and Software• CIGI ICD Version 2.0 released.

• CIGI API Version 2.4 released.

• CIGI SDK Version 2.4 released.

• CIGI Host Emulator Version

2.0 released.

• CIGI Logo in design.

• CIGI ICD Version 3.0 in

design. Sample Logos

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CIGI Test Tool• CIGI Host Emulator

– Allows complete testing of a CIGI compliant IG in the absence of a trainer host.

– All CIGI packets implemented.

– Included record/playback freeze/operate capabilities.

– Runs under Windows RTX for real-time measurement and performance.

– Scripting capability in design

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Known CIGI Users• Integrators

– Boeing

– Lockheed-Martin

– AFRL

– NAVAIR/JF Taylor

– ESG

– Norcontrol

– Indra

– Kanmatsu Aerospace

– Symbionics

– ISD

• Implementers

– CG2

– Aechelon

– Lockheed-Martin

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Web Site Statistics• On-line since April 2001• Home page hits : > 1400• SourceForge page views: > 10,000• Download stats: 690• 3 Bugs reported• 2 Help requested

F/A-18 DMT RFP

T- 45 RFP

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Summary• CIGI is designed to assist suppliers and integrators of IG

systems with ease of integration, code reuse, and cost reduction.

• CIGI is being met with surprising acceptance throughout the community.

• Boeing will continue to support CIGI, but we desire to move CIGI to a standards organization.

• We desire assistance to foster future development and advancement. All inputs, contributions, and ideas are welcome!