Virtualizable Rendering Resources to Support the Army Integrated Training Environment and the Future Synthetic Training Environment
Abstract
The University of Central Florida (UCF) has been performing research within the area of virtual and constructive environments for many years. For virtual, this has ranged from virtual reality systems to game-based desktops to mobile tablets. For constructive, various software applications (ModSAF, OTBSAF, OneSAF) have formed the basis for research. This research focused on full clients that simulates the necessary state. Stations contain the processing, memory and graphics capabilities necessary for the software being used. Recent advances in virtualized computing has suggested a new approach with many benefits to the U.S. Army. Employing virtualized computing resources (virtual machines and containers) will address issues with maintenance, cost, and deployment. In this approach, a distributed set of virtual servers executes the actual software while the trainees access the server through a cheaper and less complex client (even a web browser). This approach could reduce maintenance complexity (only the servers need to receive new software), reduce cost (client hardware is more inexpensive), enhance security (issues regarding the software are coordinated at the server), and ease installation (clients no longer need each piece of software installed). To facilitate this and other Army projects, UCF needs to perform research beyond what current capabilities can provide. We would like to expand our research with a system to investigate how to make the most effective use of virtualization during training, particularly when specialized hardware resources are required. For example, most modern rendering engines require access to graphics processing units (GPUs) to obtain the best performance. While our past efforts in virtual and constructive simulation are important, a system that provides access to virtualizable servers for a variety of tasks, rendering in particular, will provide capabilities our future efforts require. Such a system is proposed under this DURIP initiative to support these and other Army-related efforts. The equipment would have at least an eight-year lifespan (extendable with upgrades) and would provide the instrumentation for extending our research into virtualization strategies for training systems. In addition, it would have a direct impact on existing and future work with the U.S. Army. UCF research also exposes graduates and undergraduates in a variety of areas (computer science, engineering, human factors) to the research.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Feb 14, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1810214
Entities
People
- Glenn Martin
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Central Florida