Making the Simulated World More Real

Montreal-based Presagis Inc. delivers simulation and graphics software and services to defence and aeronautic organizations worldwide. It also provides endusers, system integrators, developers and manufacturers with advanced tools and dedicated services to help them achieve rich, immersive virtual environments for training, as a test-bench and for designing the cockpits of tomorrow.

To provide the most realistic simulation environments for aircraft training, the company’s software tools must be able to model and visualize not just dynamic 3D scenes, but also a range of aircraft-mounted video cameras that capture them. Together, these cameras can cover a wide spectral range, from the visible to long-wave infrared. To provide its clients with accurate, validated airborne camera simulations, Presagis reached out to INO.

Drawing on its extensive experience in imaging, system modeling and characterization, INO provided Presagis with in-depth expertise to develop realistic models of various type of imaging cameras, from photovoltaic visible-band detectors to cooled/uncooled thermal band imagers. INO also acquired images of controlled scenes at its imagery characterization laboratory, using a series of various cameras at its disposal. These images allowed Presagis to confidently validate the detector models it had implemented within its Ondulus simulation environment. Having camera models validated using real-life camera data has given Presagis an edge over its competitors.

Following this successful first project, INO is now working with Presagis to produce better modeling atmospheric effects such as fog, clouds, dust and rain in its simulation environments.