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Sample
Proposal
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Three-Dimensional Display
for Earth Science Data - FY98 Extension
Investigators:
Steve Maher (PI - Code 935)
Elizabeth Downing (Co I - 3D Tech XYZ)
Horace Mitchell (Co I - Code 930)
Barbara Summey (Co I - Code 935
1. Progress to Date
We developed a prototype device that
can display simplistic 3D objects. We purchased laser and scanner drivers and
computer interface hardware that support this prototype and should support
subsequent versions of the device. The prototype display device and associated
hardware is scheduled to be delivered in the fall of 1997.
We have developed a
high-level architecture for the software driver, have explored utilizing current
graphical workstation hardware to drive the display, and have devised several
hardware "tricks" that may improve the capabilities and performance of the
system. However, a major roadblock was the fact that we did not have a device to
test our software driver research and hence its progress lagged. Furthermore,
testing the software driver using the proposed software simulator was not
feasible; the simulator could not be created due to frequently varying display
characteristics throughout the research period.
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2. Justification for
Extension
We have just scratched the surface of
the research needed to maturate this exciting Tech. The first DDF funding, along
with additional contributions from the Office of Commercial Programs (GSFC Code
702), the Optics Branch (GSFC Code 717) and 3D Tech XYZ, provided for the
development of a primitive hardware prototype that will be delivered to Goddard
in the fall of 1997. In addition, the funding paid for initial research on the
software driver. However, the fact that the hardware was not available for
testing caused the software driver development to stagnate. This occurred not
only because we didn't have the device to test the software, but also because we
didn't decide on specific scanner and interface components until late in the
research period. Knowing the specifications of these devices is necessary to
develop the appropriate low-level interface commands for the scanners and
interface and to keep these commands within the specified tolerances of the
devices.
The software driver is a
very important component of the system. On the surface it shall provide a
comprehensive application programming interface (API) to make the display device
usable without having to deal with esoteric hardware commands every time you
want to change what is displayed. Underneath, it needs to implement new computer
algorithms to draw, fill, project, clip, shade, and texture map the three
dimensional data the user wants to see within the three-dimensional viewing
space. In some cases this requires discovering and implementing various novel
display techniques such as varying laser brightness to implement object
translucency and widening laser beam width to provide high performance color
filling. The majority of this research still needs to be performed.
We are requesting funding to
continue the software driver research.
3D Tech Labs, the developer
of the hardware, will continue to fully support our efforts by providing support
for our hardware prototype, testing our software driver, and keeping us abreast
of the latest display advancements. In fact, we have agreed to author a joint
paper on this subject in the coming year.
Goddard could receive
widespread recognition for fostering this research. This Tech has generated
considerable excitement in the computer graphics and display device community.
Goddard is the sole software driver researcher and will be the first user of
this type of device in the world.
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3. Research and
Development Plan
We want to continue the research on
the software driver and plan to have it culminate with showing, actual NASA
Goddard three-dimensional Earth science data in the display.
We will first create a
minimum software driver that will display geometric primitives such as points
and lines. This will entail developing a PCI-based laser/scanner driver on an
SGI workstation, which will take the point and line specifications and translate
them into laser and scanner commands.
Then, using performance
metrics from the resulting software driver and characteristics of the target
display data, we will tune both the driver and the data to achieve maximum
visual effect (i.e., the maximum information content while accounting for
aesthetics).
Next, more complex visual
primitives (e.g., filled polygons) using the same or different data set will be
incorporated into the software driver. The various "tricks" we've thought of
will be implemented and evaluated.
Throughout the research, we
will provide feedback to 3D Tech Labs and they will keep us abreast of hardware
developments. The budget allows some funding for upgrades in display hardware
from 3D Tech Labs.
As before, we plan on
contracting University of Maryland/Baltimore County to help with this research.
4. Budget
Item
Oversight (Steve Maher/Pl)
Research Assistant (UMBC) - Spring Semester 98
- Summer 98
- Fall Semester 98
- Misc. (hardware, travel)
- Contract overhead
Laser/scanner/PCI hardware upgrade
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