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CIGI - A COMMON IMAGE GENERATOR INTERFACE. Robert Lechner/Willard Phelps Boeing Training Systems and Services - (September 2002) -. 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.
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CIGI - A COMMON IMAGE GENERATOR INTERFACE Robert Lechner/Willard Phelps Boeing Training Systems and Services - (September 2002) -
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 IG Run-Time CIGI SDK CIGI SDK CIGI API CIGI API CIGI CIGI CIGI Messages Data & Synchronization
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.
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
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.
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.
$600,000 $500,000 $400,000 $300,000 $200,000 $100,000 $0 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.
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
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
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
CIGI SDK Client/Server Routines Compatibility Utility Routines CIGI API Message Buffering CORE ROUTINES Pack / Unpack 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
Control Packets Definition Packets IG Entity Component Articulated Part Rate Trajectory Special Effect View Collision Detect Swept Volume Environment Weather View Sensor User-definable Data Request Packets Data Response Packets Start of Frame Height Above Terrain Height of Terrain Collision Detection Height Above Terrain Height of Terrain Line of Sight Occult Line of Sight Range CIGI 2.0 Packets Line of Sight Occult Line of Sight Range IG Response User-definable
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
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
Integrators Boeing Lockheed-Martin AFRL NAVAIR/JF Taylor ESG Norcontrol Indra Kanmatsu Aerospace Symbionics ISD Implementers CG2 Aechelon Lockheed-Martin Known CIGI Users
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
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!