Real-time 3D sonar modeling and visualization
By:  Timothy M. Holliday
Contributors: Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Publisher: Naval Postgraduate School; Available from National Technical Information Service
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Monterey, Calif; Springfield, Va
Language: eng
Number of pages: 235
Description: Virtual world simulations are realistic when each individual component is simulated in a manner that reflects reality. For an underwater virtual world that simulates acoustic detection, a physically based sonar propagation      model is required if ranges in excess of tens of meters are expected. This thesis creates an application programming interface (API) for real-time 3D computation and visualization of acoustic energy propagation.  The API provides features for generating complex physically based sonar information at interaction rates, and  then visualizing that acoustic information. The simulation is programmed in Java and runs either as a stand-alone program or as a script in a web browser. This program generates Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML 97) compliant code that can be viewed from any VRML-capable browser. This approach allows the  characteristics of the energy propagation to be calculated with high precision and observed in 3D. As sonar system information bandwidth becomes larger, more intuitive ways of presenting information to a user will be required. Higher information density in a more intuitive format can free the user from integrating the data himself  and allow quicker reaction times. This thesis and the API provide the foundation for fundamental advances in sonar mode and visualization.
Notes: "June 1998."

Thesis advisor(s): Don Brutzman, Kevin B. Smith.

Thesis (M.S. in Applied Physics) Naval Postgraduate School, June 1998.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 232).

Approved for public release, distribution unlimited.

Also available online.

Mode of access: World Wide Web.

System requirements: Adobe Acrobat reader.

US Navy (USN) author.

updated dlb 12/12/06