NPSNET Research Group (npsnet++at++cs.nps.navy.mil)
Mon, 27 Nov 1995 09:59:08 -0800 (PST)
NPSNET is a visual simulation system running on SGI workstations
and utilizing the Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS)
networking protocol. Currently, NPSNET utilizes the Performer
run-time API and the UPenn Jack Motion Library to provide a user
the ability to interactively participate in a networked virtual
reality simulation. The system is written in C++ and C and consists
of over 100,000 lines of code.
NPSNET is widely distributed as free software available via
either anonymous FTP or the World Wide Web and is used by over
100 government, private and academic sites. Our current research
focus is in the following areas:
- Inserting the individual into the DIS networked virtual environment.
Related tasks include supporting new and novel input devices such as
the Sarcos Uniport and Treadport devices, Polhemus motion sensors
for head and limb tracking, an omni-directional treadmill, the
Biomuse sensors, joystick/throttle and others. Challenges involve
representing large numbers of articulated human icons in a DIS
simulation and variable resolution human icons.
- Efficiently using large data sets representing the terrain in
the virtual environment. Related tasks include paging of terrain
at run-time and using "working sets" so that all data need not
be memory resident and providing the capability to "fly around
the world" without significant notice of any decrease in visual
performance. Other issues involve dynamic terrain, effects of
weather and mobility.
- Modeling and visually representing environmental effects such
as time-of-day, haze, fog, weather (rain/snow), smoke, clouds,
etc. Issues involve visual appeal, run-time performance and
accuracy of impeding performance to complete tasks.
- Efficiently representing large numbers of (>5000) players in a DIS
exercise by using an intelligent networking manager, IP Multicast,
and other techniques. Other related tasks are designing and
experimenting with network protocols for exercise management and
visual systems control.
- Spatial audio from the perspective of the individual in the
virtual environment. Related tasks are modeling for the
head-related transfer functions, averaging of sounds between
speakers and using special effect processors to more accurately
simulate the proper effects of the environment on sounds.
Our research group receives much visibility in both the general
research and military arenas having demonstrated our research twice
at SIGGRAPH, and for high-ranking military officers and government
officials including the Army Chief of Staff, the Vice Chair of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of
Defense, and congressional and presidential technology advisors.
Facilities include:
2 RE2 Onyxs, each with 4 processors and one with an MCO,
3 Reality Engine 1s,
6 Indigo II Extremes,
20 Indigo I Elan/XLs, and
10 Indys.
Video disk recording capabilities,
Midi synthesizer and related sound equipment,
Misc. assortment of Macs, PCs, printers, VCRs, etc.
We are looking for highly self motivated people that require minimum
guidance to help us implement our next family of simulation systems.
SGI, IRIX, Unix and C++ development are a must.
Performer, GL, OpenGL, JackML and simulation system development are
desired.
As stated previously, the positions would be 2 to 4 year term
Government Service (GS) appointments. Salary and benefits would
range between GS 5 (~$20,000) to GS 11 (~$40,000) according to
experience and education. All positions would be open to competition
and be subject to all laws and regulations concerning DoD employeement.
Benefits include the opportunity to receive a graduate degree in
the Computer Graphics and Visual Simulation Track within the CS department
during your appointment. We have both near term and long term needs.
The Naval Postgraduate School is located in beautiful Monterey, CA.
Monterey is located on the central coast 2 hours south of San Francisco,
1 hour south of San Jose, and 6 hours north of LA. The newly opened
California State University (CSU) Monterey Bay is nearby as well as
the Defense Language Institute and Monterey Peninsula College.
Santa Cruz is located across the bay and is about a 45 minute drive away.
Relocation costs may be covered depending on available funding.
Please send your resumes via electronic mail to:
npsnet-manager++at++cs.nps.navy.mil
For more information about our group, see our home page at URL:
http://www-npsnet.cs.nps.navy.mil/npsnet/
The Naval Postgraduate School is an Equal Opportunity Employeer.
--************************************************************************* NPSNET Research Group Naval Postgraduate School Computer Graphics and Video Laboratory
Thanks to our sponsors: ARL-HRED, ARPA/ASTO, DMSO, NPS Direct Funding, TEC, USA AI Center, USA STRICOM and USA TRAC.
Thanks to our research partners: NRaD, Loral, Sarcos, TI and UPenn.
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