Date of Award

12-1992

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Advisor

Martin R. Stytz, PhD

Abstract

Radar Cross Section data is an important factor in the design of modern fighter and bomber aircraft. Minimization of the reflected radar energy is one of the key issues when choosing shapes and materials in new aircraft. Visualization of the energy scattered back to a radar is neither intuitive nor easy. The mission planner and pilot need to gain an understanding of the vulnerabilities inherent in the design of the systems they use. The advent of relatively low cost graphics workstations has made their use affordable in applications inconceivable only a few short years ago. This thesis examines three graphics rendering techniques and their applicability to the display of three-dimensional radar cross section data. This study looks at three tools, PSR, a particle system renderer; the Satellite Modeler, a three-dimensional surface renderer; and VIPER, a volumetric renderer for their applicability, utility, and ease of use in the display of radar cross section data. Each of the systems was tested using the same data set, and the results compared later in this treatise. Although the purpose of this study is to determine the applicability of different techniques, the results can be used to further develop fast, efficient rendering systems for the visualization of radar cross section data.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-GCS-ENG-92D-18

DTIC Accession Number

ADA258905

Comments

The author's Vita page is omitted.

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