IGCSE ICT Computer Simulation

Lesson objectives Be aware of the use of ICT applications in every day life, including the Use Advantages and Disadvantages of computer simulations.

Modelling vs Simulation Models use mathematical formulae to explore scenarios and to make predictions. Simulations are also based on mathematical formulae, and are used to predict how a system will behave in a certain set of conditions. The major difference is that a simulation recreates a scenario, using something physical to mimic the system.

Some examples: A very good example of a simulation is a flight simulator. Another exampleof a simulation is a thrill ride simulator somewhere like Disneyland. Another form of simulation is Virtual Reality.

A computer simulation is an application designed to imitate a real-life situation. A good example is software which simulates the experience of piloting a plane.

Flight simulation software Simple simulation software running on a PC offers the user entertainment and practice in simple controls and navigation. A real-life flight simulator - used for training pilots - is far more sophisticated, and is very expensive.

Inside a flight simulator The pilot sits inside a specially designed cockpit on hydraulically controlled struts which move the cockpit to give the feel of the pitch and roll of a real plane. Sensors detect the actions of the pilot and move the cockpit accordingly. The view from the cockpit window is replaced with computer generated images.

Why use simulators? Flight simulators give trainee pilots experience of: different flying conditions, eg poor weather, night flying emergency situations, eg frozen runways, fog, engine failure Landing procedures and how they differ from airport to airport

Flight simulators are safe and cost effective too Flight simulators are safe and cost effective too. No fuel is needed and there's no crew to pay, any damage to the plane is simulated, and the pilot is never at risk.

Training Pilots to Fly an Airplane Trainee pilots have many hours of lessons in flight simulators before being allowed to fly a real airplane. Flight simulators behave almost exactly like real airplanes since they are controlled by a computer with a very accurate and realistic model of the airplane. The main difference is that the simulator can’t actually crash!

The punchline: Pilots can make mistakes without putting anyone’s life at risk. Flight simulators can provide a pilot with any number of highly realistic flying situations: storms, engine failures, low cloud hiding the runway, etc.

The experience that pilots gain whilst using the simulator means that when they eventually start flying real airplanes, they already have many of the required skills. There are also car simulators that are used to help train learner drivers, and also ship simulators to help ship captains learn how to navigate and manoeuvre large ships such as oil tankers.

Other uses of simulation Nuclear power stations use simulation to improve output by looking at temperature, pressure and gas flow in the plant Scientific experiments (for example plant growth) can be observed in varying conditions

Other uses of simulation Traffic flow can be simulated in major cities to investigate the need for new roads and/or traffic lights The aerodynamic effect on the shape of cars can be investigated by simulating air flow over different body shapes

Virtual Reality Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer simulation which allows the user to interact with the system. Special interfaces give the user the feel, sound and view of the virtual system. The user wears a head-mounted display through which the virtual world can be seen

Advantages of using simulators - Conditions can be varied and outcomes investigated -Critical situations can be investigated without risk - People aren't put in any danger - Expensive prototypes don't need to be built - Time can be speeded up or slowed down - Manoevres can be run again and again until the pilot/driver etc is competent No equipment is damaged

Disadvantages of using simulators Models and simulations can't ever completely re-create all real-life situations. Not every possible situation may have been programmed into the simulation. They require VERY fast processors The equipment and software are expensive to purchase. Staff need to be trained how to use the software and equipment.

Today’s assignment: Try using the flight simulator in Google Earth Fly anywhere you like: the Grand Canyon, over Bangkok In 10 minutes flight time, record how many times you ‘crashed’

Homework Go to bbc.co.uk/bitesize Complete the Activity and the Test Add to your notes where necessary