Advanced 3-D Visualization for GPS Data

Richard Toliver, Larry Martin, Rowland Brown and Keyton Guthery

Abstract:	This paper describes advanced three-dimensional (3-D) graphics and virtual reality techniques that are used to visualize the dynamics of air, land, and sea vehicles tracked using GPS. Graphics hardware and software and GPS equipment and software have been integrated into a data display system that takes real-time or recorded GPS location, velocity, and attitude data to animate 3-D models in a cyber-space environment. Requirements for a GPS data visualization system are developed and hardware and software selected and integrated to build the system. Modeling and simulation capabilities are also described. A geographic-referenced world is built using Digital Terrain Elevation Data (DTED) and other Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) products. Three-dimensional computer models of aircraft, land vehicles, and ships are built using an advanced simulation development program. These models are moved in spatial reference to each other and to the 3-D environment using the GPS data. Stationary features such as buildings, bridges, and trees can also be included in the environment. Users of the system are able to view the GPS-animated objects as 3-D objects on a computer screen, as two- dimensional (2-D) objects overlaid on maps, or as immersive displays using virtual reality (VR) headsets. Users may “fly” through the 3-D world as the GPS data are being used to animate the 3-D models. In the post- mission analysis mode, recorded GPS data are used to review the real-time activity. During playback, the user can “fly” through the environment and teleport to different view points. Activity can be slowed down, sped up, or stopped at the direction of the user. Graphical representations are presented of two different operations recorded in real-time using GPS-derived location, velocity, and attitude data: (1) a destroyer maneuvering near mines and (2) a helicopter sensing targeting by enemy equipment.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 9th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1996) September 17 - 20, 1996 Kansas City, MO
Pages:	1873 - 1880
Cite this article:	Toliver, Richard, Martin, Larry, Brown, Rowland, Guthery, Keyton, "Advanced 3-D Visualization for GPS Data," Proceedings of the 9th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1996), Kansas City, MO, September 1996, pp. 1873-1880.
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