Prime contractor / Projects

The High Fidelity Runtime Database Engine (HFRDE) SBIR is a U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command’s, Simulation and Training Technology Center
(RDECOM-STTC) research effort that seeks to provide advanced functionality in specialized applications such as mobile or embedded devices. Dignitas Technologies is the prime contractor along with subcontractor Applied Research Associates (ARA). This effort is a Phase II SBIR,
with matching (Fast Track) funds.

HFRDE will investigate technologies to support a wide range of specialized applications,
including hand-held applications, embedded computers, and C4I devices. While any embedded
or resource-constrained application is of interest, the primary focus of this Phase II is on terrain
analysis services supported through a highly compact and efficient terrain representation.

Effort to date has concentrated on provided advanced terrain analysis on the iPhone, Google G1 (Android), ruggedized Nomad PDA. HFRDE products have been used as part of the Future Force Warrior initiative, as parts of efforts to extend FBCB2, and an RDECOM dynamic terrain testbed called SHADE. At I/ITSEC, Dignitas engineers demonstrated an iPhone with the ability to display detailed line of sight fans and even add terrain features to the terrain database.
Ongoing research will extend functionality while continuing to seek out additional military applications that can benefit from terrain functionality in resource-constrained environments.

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Phase I and Phase II SBIR
The Automated Generation of Underground Structures (AGUS) Phase II SBIR is a U.S. Army
Research, Development and Engineering Command’s, Simulation and Training Technology
Center (RDECOM-STTC) research effort that is developing a process for the automatic
generation of underground structures for use in both visual and non-visual formats. Dignitas
Technologies is the prime contractor with subcontractor Applied Research Associates (ARA).
The Team Dignitas approach is based upon reuse of the Urban and Underground Model
Generator (U2MG) combined with a strong focus on support for major Army programs.

During the Phase I effort, Team Dignitas analyzed and documented tunnel connector issues,
coordinated and documented the detailed needs of key Army programs, and developed a
prototype plug-in for VBS2 transportation tunnels. In addition to the specific needs identified for
Army programs, Dignitas identified next generation functional capabilities that could provide
long-term benefit.

Team Dignitas is not just looking at underground structure generation. Such a limited focus
will result in capabilities that cannot immediately benefit war fighter training because of limits
to run-time functionality. As a result, we are considering generation needs, format needs,
run-time functionality, and the practical aspects of technology transition. Through on-going
communication with programs such as SE Core A&I, DVED, and OneSAF Team Dignitas is
assuring that our research efforts not only advance the state of the art, but do so in a way that will
be immediately applicable to major Army training programs.
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Synthetic Natural Environment (SNE) represents the natural and man-made world in which
military simulations occur. SNE assures that simulated entities comply with real-world
effects, such as resting on the ground and seeing only those opponents that are not blocked by
intervening features. SNE, in short, puts the physical world around the simulated entities. This
natural and man-made environment is, of course, subject to change in the real world. Combat
engineers dig defensive trenches, artillery creates craters, and airstrikes destroy buildings. Such
changes are often called dynamic terrain, a term covering both terrain skin (the ground) and
features (buildings, trees, roads, etc.).

Dignitas Technologies is working to improve dynamic terrain and features functionality in
virtual programs through our Dynamic Terrain SBIR, which is funded by PEO-STRI. Dignitas is
joined by teammate ARA. With this SBIR, Team Dignitas is focusing on meeting advanced SE
Core functional needs while collaborating with other related research efforts.

Team Dignitas’ key Phase I technical accomplishments include:

• Placement of arbitrary visual holes in buildings
• Dynamically constructed visual models for placed features
• Integration of a physics engine for damage assessment
• Identification of key architectural decision points and criteria
• Capture of key dynamic terrain issues and solutions for SE Core

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The Terrain Correlation Phase I SBIR is a U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering
Command’s, Simulation and Training Technology Center (RDECOM-STTC) research effort that
is developing toolsets and processes to improve the ability of database developers and testers to
identify and correct problems in modeling and simulation synthetic natural environment datasets.
Dignitas will investigate the use of automation and enhanced manual evaluation tools to identify
database problems earlier so they can be resolved sooner. The research will extend behind basic geometric issues into semantic and system-specific functional issues.

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This Phase I SBIR was awarded by the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering
Command’s, Simulation and Training Technology Center (RDECOM-STTC). This project
focuses on techniques by major Army programs such as OneSAF can leverage the investment
in database technologies such as the Common Database. Several GOTS and COTS applications
can now dynamically distribute terrain data or derive complex geometries from basic source
data on the fly. However, these technologies do not cleanly fit into the widespread paradigm of
pre-distributed, pre-built terrain databases common to major Army programs like OneSAF and
CCTT. With this Phase I SBIR, Dignitas and subcontractor CAE will investigate techniques to
merge these disparate technologies together.

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