High-Fidelity Simulations of Electromagnetic Propagation and RF Communication Systems
Abstract
Newly developed radiofrequency propagation models estimate signal strength, signal coverage, and bit error rates to support mission planning for robotic platforms operating in urban areas. This study involved high-fidelity modeling on a graphics processing unit workstation and included full three-dimensional analysis of reflection, transmission, and diffraction propagation effects within urban landscapes. Real-time propagation modeling is made possible using an application programming interface (API) with simpler, faster models whose output can, in principle, be used for mission planning or platform performance assessment within a virtual scene. This report presents the results of two test caseswithin a virtual rendering of the U.S. Army Cold Region Research and Engineering Laboratory campus and within a fabricated dense urban sceneto demonstrate the ability to generate high-fidelity radiofrequency propagation models from building and terrain data derived from (1) LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and digital elevation models and (2) Virtual Autonomous Navigation Environment (VANE) scenes. This report outlines steps necessary to produce lower fidelity, higher speed models using the API and discusses how the API could interface with existing virtual environments and mission-planning tools.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1037448
Entities
People
- Christopher T. Goodin
- Daniel J. Breton
- Michele L. Maxson
- Samuel S. Streeter
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center