CIGI - A COMMON IMAGE GENERATOR INTERFACE

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CIGI - A COMMON IMAGE GENERATOR INTERFACE

• Robert Lechner/Willard Phelps
• Boeing Training Systems and Services
• - (September 2002) -

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CIGI, What Is It?
Host Simulation
IG Run-Time
CIGI SDK
CIGI SDK
CIGI API
CIGI API
CIGI
CIGI
CIGI Messages
Data Synchronization

• 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.

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Why do we need CIGI?

• Most image generators (IGs) 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 IGs 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.

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
F-15 with bomb racks and collision lights

• 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

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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

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Current Status
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CIGI 2.0 Packets
Line of Sight Occult Line of Sight Range IG
Response User-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 gt 1400
• SourceForge page views gt 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!