Visual Analysis of Vehicle Simulations, INS/GPS Solutions and Real-World Data Bob Addiss Senior Software Engineer CAST Navigation, LLC

2 Presentation overview  CAST Navigation has created high-fidelity navigation system test equipment for more than 25 years  A new customer wanted CAST to integrate high-quality visualization tools on very aggressive schedule  This presentation will show how CAST successfully delivered by leveraging AGI software

3 CAST Navigation, LLC overview  Leading provider, state-of-the-art test equipment for GPS and inertial navigation systems  Complete product line for commercial and military navigation systems –Research- Development- Integration –Testing- Maintenance  Key relationships allow the most comprehensive hardware-in-the-loop solutions –Northrop-Grumman (formerly Litton)- Honeywell –Rockwell Collins  Low-cost, low-risk, repeatable dynamic navigation system stimulation –Simulate any trajectory, anywhere near Earth from the lab

4 Legacy CAST user interface capabilities  Graphical interfaces available since 2006 –Aircraft gauge controls mimic cockpit –Optional MATLAB based trajectory view –Trajectory 2-D image (aero chart / photo) or 3-D view of elevation data –Industry-standard GeoTIFF imagery and DTED terrain –Real-world (non-orthogonal) geometry

5 Customer and requirements overview  Boeing B-1B program had very flexible requirements –Even resource file formats were unspecified  Must show high-quality visualizations –Real-world terrain –High-resolution imagery –Accurate GPS satellite positions –Terrain obscuration and body-masking of GPS satellites –3-D aircraft model with wing-sweep changes  Application should bring flight data to life –Visually analyze flight data and GPS access –Show why GPS signal may be lost – terrain obscuration / body masking –Help user to “see” what’s happening during the flight and why  Application should look like an aviation “music video”

6 Customer and requirements overview  Customer provided CAST with a “concept video”

7 The challenge – how do we get there from here?  Huge leap needed due to schedule and tool issues –Legacy application could not meet requirements –GIS tools generally do not display motion or altitude well –Satellite propagation and aircraft trajectory difficult to portray –No in-house 3-D graphics expertise –Developing from scratch would take “man-years,” but delivery needed in 3 months  CAST chose STK Engine, Terrain/Imagery and Connect –“Out-of-the-box” support for all required data types –Impressive 3-D views –Freedom to define custom data flows –Made schedule feasible

8 Key needs addressed by AGI software  Industry-standard terrain and imagery files  Industry-standard GPS YUMA almanac files  Smooth 2-D and 3-D visualizations  3-D models for obvious orientation information  Embed into existing GUI framework  CAST could focus on core competencies instead of re-inventing Using AGI’s STK Engine

9 Key needs addressed by AGI software

10 Project outcome  STK drastically decreased development time... –Delivered product in man-months, not years  Significantly lowered development and testing costs  Successfully delivered within aggressive schedule  Exceeded customer's expectations –quality of the eye-catching visualizations –smoothness of interactive visualization  B-1B customer extremely satisfied and is considering order for additional units

11 How AGI software was applied  2-D and 3-D controls added to basic GUI  Added controls to trigger events / enable display elements  Used AGI Software to process industry-standard files (DTED Elevations / GeoTIFF images) into AGI formats  Added custom software to convert trajectory data into ephemeris / attitude representations  Added custom software to accept real-time trajectory data over Connect interface

12 Analysis and demonstration  Analyze vehicle situation –Notice position with respect to imagery clues / terrain features –Articulation with respect to airspeed –Vehicle should show level attitude on the ground  Apply knowledge of flight principles –Pitch can change with climb / descent or with airspeed –Roll should change during turns –Yaw can change during turns, or because of winds aloft  Using new CAST application for key visual analysis issues

13 Analysis and demonstration  Demonstration –Video of delivered application…

14 By using AGI software, CAST Navigation:  Vastly improved graphical visualization offerings –Enhanced ability to collaborate using VDF files  Saved development cost  Reduced development time –Met aggressive 3-month schedule  Eliminated risk of being unable to deliver product  Allowed CAST to expand products and capture new business  Delivered application which met schedule and exceeded customer expectations

15 Wrap-up Questions?  New application being used by customer NOW  For more information on this application or other GPS/INS Test Equipment and Simulation products, go to