In this paper, the costs and technology trends associated with generating each of six candidate synthetic scene presentation format examples are compared. The evaluated formats were: (1) symbolic, using FAA Symbol Set One; (2.a) the same, but enhanced to include a ridge line; (2.b) the same, but enhanced to include more ridge line detail; (3) the same, but enhanced to include a wireframe depiction of the terrain surface; (4) a sun-angle-shaded perspective format; (5) a texture mapped format; and (6) a photo-realistic format. Cost metrics included luminance, power, computational throughput, RAM and mass storage requirements. Of the format candidates evaluated, today's cost and trend data indicate that a photo-realistic technology under development at Honeywell offers significant potential. Finally, guidelines are provided to enable the reader to assess costs for format alternatives and other costs for assumptions beyond those presented here.

Date Published: 13 July 1994
PDF: 11 pages
Proc. SPIE 2220, Sensing, Imaging, and Vision for Control and Guidance of Aerospace Vehicles, (13 July 1994); doi: 10.1117/12.179610

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 2220:
Sensing, Imaging, and Vision for Control and Guidance of Aerospace Vehicles
Jacques G. Verly; Sharon S. Welch, Editor(s)