Visual simulation application for Hardware In-Loop Simulation (HILS) of aerospace vehicles

Abstract

Visual simulation which is a basic form of virtual reality (VR), uses 3-D images and models of real world which can be explored interactively by the user in a 3-dimensional realistic immersive environment. Some of the well known applications of VR and visual simulation are in the areas of Flight simulator and interactive games. VR is now extensively being used for many practical and scientific applications including mining, oil & gas exploration, automobile design, business training, medical science, robotics to name a few. Advanced Simulation centre (ASC) at RCI is primarily involved in carrying out Hardware In-loop Simulation (HILS) of various aerospace vehicles (ASVs). HILS is the only tool for carrying out complete validation and performance analysis of embedded systems, hardware, control & guidance software of missile systems in an integrated manner subjecting it to trajectory dynamics. HILS generates lot of data which needs to be analyzed thoroughly before the test launch. It’s a quite tedious task to go through and analyze such a huge data manually. Modern developments in the field of VR based man machine interactions has made it easy to facilitate such tasks enormously to analyze and understand in a more convenient and collaborative manner. In our work, we have exploited the strengths of this technology for analysis purpose with fault injection & detection during the HILS of ASV. A 3-channel distributed rendering based immersive projection system has been established where visual application runs on a high end graphics cluster.The application is capable to visualize complete trajectory dynamics of an ASV from lift-off to impact point as per mission sequence and makes simulation engineer able to walkthrough inside the vechicle, visualize effects and troubleshoot the defects caused due to failures in the hardware and software. It also enhances post flight analysis capability. This paper focuses on the visual simulation system and its application in HILS of Aerospace vehicle.