Modeling and Simulation Terrain Database Management
Abstract
The modeling and simulation (M&S) community relies on terrain databases to provide the underpinnings that drive analysis, acquisition, and training. Terrain database generation is cost and time prohibitive. Furthermore, the problem of organizing these terrain databases is much more difficult than maintaining a catalog of paper maps. Reuse of terrain databases is hampered by the difficulty in identifying and accessing existing terrain databases with potential for reuse. Terrain databases not only vary by the geographic extents which they encompass but also vary by terrain database format as required by different simulation programs and platforms, by the amount of detail in terms of features and attributes contained, and by the resolution and fidelity among other factors. Thus, there may be several different terrain databases for the same geographic location but not all may be useful for particular M&S or for specific studies and analysis. This report discusses the application of the Systems Engineering and Management Process (SEMP), taught by the Department of Systems Engineering at the United States Military Academy, in developing a metadata framework for organizing these terrain databases as a means to facilitate reuse and reduce redundancy. Specifically, we focus on choosing among potentially dozens of descriptive metadata fields, considering the need for easy search capability as well as initial data entry. We also discuss related initiatives within the community.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA435760
Entities
People
- Grant Martin
- Jeffrey Schamburg
- Michael J. Kwinn Jr.
- Michael L. Mcginnis
- Niki G. Goerger
Organizations
- United States Military Academy