The EPX™ Database Generation System (EPX DBGS) is a turnkey modeling station solution developed specifically for generating and maintaining synthetic environments for rendering with the EP/EPX real time system. The EPX DBGS support database creation for every EP™/EPX platform: EP-1000CT, EP-10, EPX-5000, EPX-500, EPX-50, and EPX-5. 

Functionality

  • WYSIWYG editing and viewing of independent layers
  • Terrain elevation model
    • Terrain imagery (from satellite or aerial photos)
    • Vector features
    • Moving models
    • Atmospheric environment
  • Industry-standard modeling environment and formats
  • Simple, logical GUI
  • Create, modify, save, and view synthetic environments
  • Edit terrain and vector feature source data, not rendered polygons
  • Data organization and management

Legacy Database Support

  • Industry-standard format import and export
    • Terrain formats: DTED, DEMs, and ArcGrid
    • Vector feature formats: DFAD, VMAP, Shapefiles, and Arc coverages
    • Feature and terrain texture formats: TIFF, GeoTIFF, and NITF
  • OpenFlight models of terrain, terrain features, and moving models
    • Data can be ingested at either vector or polygon level
    • Polygon-for-polygon correlation, when required, through OpenFlight export
    • Reuse of existing digital elevation models (DEMs), vector data coverages, and OpenFlight models

ECT Features

ECT is the first modeling tool offering a true WYSIWYG interface for the creation, modification, and verification of simulation databases. ECT runs the EPX real-time system as an embedded application and then layers standard editing functions on top. Source-like data are paged in their native forms and not combined and expanded into their displayable forms until render time:

  • DTED or DEMs for terrain elevations
  • Shapefiles, DFAD, or VMAP vector data for terrain features
  • OpenFlight models for airfields, vehicles, and weapons effects

This enables ECT to perform editing functions on source data rather than rendered polygons, yet it does this in a real-time rendering context. Users are able to view, edit, review, verify, and save each scene element independently without waiting for lengthy recompilations of the simulation environment components. Ready-for-training reviews can be conducted in one session-dramatically reducing integration and maintenance costs.

EPX Whole Earth Environment

The EPX DBGS software includes the EPX WholeEarth Environment, which includes terrain elevation and land coverage data for the entire globe, at a 30 arc-second resolution.  Three high-resolution insets, featuring terrain imagery from aerial survey photos, detailed airport models, vector feature data, and a library of OpenFlight feature models and moving models, complete with feature mapping files, are included.

The EPX Environment consists of the following components

  • A whole earth model, at a 30 arc-second resolution, consisting of elevation and land coverage data, dynamically combined with a library of over 300 theme images
  • Three data insets, including aerial survey images and vector feature data centered near:
    • Anchorage, Alaska (91×111 km)
    • Salt Lake City, Utah (33×54 km)
    • Las Vegas, Nevada (204×204 km)
  • The EPX model pack, consisting of moving models, feature models, a reconfigurable airfield, and test pattern models

Industry-Standard Modeling Environment

In addition to Rockwell Collins' own Environment Creation Tool (ECT) and the EPX Whole Earth Environment, the EPX DBGS also includes three well-known standard tools: MultiGen Creator™ (v2.5.1), ESRI's Arc Info™ (v 7.1.2), and Adobe®'s Photoshop® CS.  Also included are plug-ins and AMLs for these tools that make modeling for simulation easier than ever. Rockwell Collins is a certified value-added reseller of Creator and Arc Info.

In addition, the EPX DBGS runs on Windows XP, and uses OpenGL rendering libraries for its simulations.

Optional Software Applications

Rockwell Collins is also proud to offer the following software application options.  These applications can be used on the same hardware described above.

  • Rockwell Collins' Airport Construction Tool (ACT) - cuts airport production time by 50%

    The EPX DBGS can also be loaded with the Airport Construction Tool (ACT).  This unique tool speeds the construction of airport models by quickly ingesting aerials photos, charts, or diagrams of airports, and then using the image as a backdrop, provides automated tools for adding polygonal runways, taxi mats, stripes, foot-to-go markers, and lights.  These elements are then exported to the OpenFlight format for completing the model in Creator.
  • Rockwell Collins' ESclassify - for semi-automated sensor texture production

    Rockwell Collins has developed a complete suite of applications to speed the generation of sensor-ready models and imagery.  This package includes ESclassify, which allows the semi-automatic creation of material-classified imagery based on user-supplied samples which the tool can then apply to hundreds or thousands of aerial or satellite images.  Also included is an image file re-formatter, called CreateST, which prepares the images for a specific sensor simulation, and a quick-view application, called DisplayST, which generates radiance maps for early verification of material classification accuracy and fidelity.
  • Rockwell Collins' Advanced Interchange Data Formatter (IDF) - import/export SIF, SEDRIS, OpenFlight terrain tiles

    Rockwell Collins has extensive experience converting data among various formats. The advanced version of this tool allows one to import SIF and SEDRIS (vector and polygon transmittals) and export visual databases into tiled OpenFlight files for correlation with RADAR, hosts, or virtually any ancillary system that is part of the trainer.

Desktop Hardware Package

The EPX DBGS includes a state of the art COTS PC loaded with the following components:

  • Dual-core processor (3.6 GHz, PCIe, 800 MHz FSB, 3 GB RAM)
  • COTS graphics board (ATI RADEON® X850 XT or equivalent; 256 unified video RAM)
  • Dual OS hard drives (RAID 0, 120 GB each)
  • Three data hard drives (RAID 5, 400 GB each; expandable to six)
  • 21" monitor, keyboard, optical mouse
  • Flatbed scanner, inkjet printer

Standard Software Package

The EPX DBGS includes a full complement of real-time modeling applications designed to maximize efficiency by allowing the user to focus on mission-specific requirements without the overhead of constant reprocessing of massive amounts of data.  The following components are standard:

  • ECT (Environment Creation Tool) for data management, import/export, and run-time environment integration
  • EPX WholeEarth Environment
  • MultiGen®-Paradigm Creator™ for 3D modeling
  • ESRI Arc Info for vector data enhancement
  • Adobe® Photoshop® CS for texture map manipulations
  • Adobe® Reader®
  • Windows® XP Professional


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