Next Generation, 4-D Distributed Modeling and Visualization of Battlefield

Authors: Avideh Zakhor; CALIFORNIA UNIV BERKELEY

Abstract:

Gaining a detailed tactical picture of the modern battle-space is vital to the success of any military operation. This picture is used to direct the movement of assets and material over rugged terrain during day and night in uncertain weather conditions, taking account of possible enemy locations and activity. To provide a timely and accurate picture of the battle-space, most modern command operations centers have access to a multitude of systems which provide information from many different sources including eye witness reports, aerial photographs, sonar, radar, synthetic aperture radar, multi-spectral imaging, hyper spectral imaging, foliage penetration radar, electro-optic, infrared and moving target imaging data. These disparate and sometimes conflicting sources must be combined together in a timely and accurate fashion to provide an overall view of the battle-space that is clear, concise, coherent, complete and accurate. In this MURI project, we have developed algorithms and systems to address the above problems as they relate to 3D and 4D modeling and visualization of battle-space. They include: 3D modeling of urban and suburban environments, updating the models, tracking and registration, visualizing and rendering large scale 3D models, mobile situational visualization, 4D modeling of dynamic scenes including the temporal dimension, augmented virtual environments merging stationary or temporal video data with 3D models, uncertainty processing and visualization, information fusion, and decision making under uncertainty. In doing so, we have developed the first fully automated 3D modeling system for urban environments capable of generating photorealistic views for walk-through, drive through and fly-throughs.

Limitations:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE