http://www.nttc.edu/solicitations/sbir/dod972/darpa972.txt DARPA SB972-068 TITLE: Multi-Platform Real-Time 3-D Visualization System Urban Environments and 3-D Terrain Imagery KEY TECHNOLOGY AREA: Computing and Software OBJECTIVE: Create a cross-platform (PC, Mac, Sun, SGI, etc.) real-time 3-D visualization system capable of visualizing ultra-high resolution urban environments immersed in global unlimited 3-D terrain imagery simultaneously. DESCRIPTION: Most high performance visualization systems are currently limited to high-end graphics deskside work stations costing in excess of $100K. The low-cost of high performance dedicated graphics hardware for personal computers and low-end work stations has made it possible to create a cross-platform system that can visualize virtually infinite amounts of high-resolution data in real-time. Along with the enabling hardware, a highly integrated software system that can effectively utilize the hardware with advanced graphics and data handling technologies needs to be developed. Today, this capability only exists on costly, difficult to use, and inflexible high-end systems. An advanced system is required to: 1) Visualize unlimited amounts of terrain and structure data in urban environments (e.g., large cities and military compounds containing complex structures) in real-time; 2) Implement state-of-the-art rendering and data processing techniques to provide the best possible performance for all types of data; and, 3) Run on a wide variety of systems ranging from high-end graphics work stations to standard PCs with dedicated graphics hardware. PHASE I: Define the visualization system to be developed, requirements, software architecture, high-level design, technical approaches, tradeoffs, and enhancements over current approaches and existing tools. Demonstrate proof-of-concepts on at least two different graphics platforms. PHASE II: Produce a prototype implementation of the system. Demonstrate capability on at least three different graphics platforms (high and low-end systems). PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The emergence of low-cost 3-D hardware for the PC platform has made practical the application of 3-D terrain and building visualization technology to address a variety of problems such as building physical security analysis (counterterrorism), urban planning, forestry management, geographic information systems, and architectural visualization. This program could greatly enhance the capability of businesses (located abroad or in the United States) and government agencies to conduct analysis of threats from terrorism or crime and to assist them in taking prudent measures to reduce their risks of terrorist or criminal attack. Portable visualization of urban settings enables any user to view their organization/businesses in a manner useful to identifying risks from bombs, sniping, or other security threats, and taking appropriate protective measures.