Landmass simulator

Claim 3

The method as in claim 1, wherein the step of modifying includes varying the height and reflectivity portion of the source data in response to the location of a predetermined ground sample of a radar sweep.

Claim 4

In a radar image generation system, a method for simulating images to be displayed in response to a simulated radar position, comprising: obtaining source data for defining a feature of an image to be displayed, wherein the source data include height and reflectivity information; modifying in real time the height and reflectivity portion of the source data in response to the value of the reflectivity of the source data; and processing the modified height and reflectivity portion of the source data for generating the images to be displayed.

Claim 5

In a radar image generation system, a method for simulating images to be displayed in response to a simulated radar position, comprising: obtaining source data for defining a feature of an image to be displayed, wherein the source data include height and reflectivity information; modifying in real time the height and reflectivity portion of the source data in response to the value of the reflectivity of the source data; and processing the modified height and reflectivity portion of the source data for generating the images to be displayed.

Claim 6

The method as in claim 3, wherein the step of modifying includes modifying in response to the location of a predetermined ground sample of a radar sweep.

Claim 7

The method as in claim 3, wherein the step of modifying includes: identifying one of a predetermined plurality of patterns in response to the reflectivity portion of the source data, wherein each of the predetermined plurality of patterns is representative of a respective areal type; selecting a predetermined portion of the one of the plurality of patterns in response to the location of a predetermined ground sample of a radar sweep; and varying the height and reflectivity portion of the source data in response to the selected predetermined portion of the one of the plurality of patterns.

Claim 8

The method as in claim 5, further including changing at least one of the plurality of patterns in real time for accommodating a change in the simulated radar position.

Claim 9

The method as in claim 3, wherein the step of modifying includes: identifying one of a predetermined plurality of patterns in response to the reflectivity portion of the source data and further in response to the location of a predetermined ground sample of a radar sweep; selecting one of a predetermined plurality of sub-patterns in response to the identified one of the predetermined plurality of patterns, wherein each of the predetermined plurality of patterns is representative of a respective arrangement of sub-patterns and further wherein each of the predetermined plurality of sub-patterns is representative of a respective terrain grid: and varying the height and reflectivity portion of the source data in response to the selected one of the predetermined plurality of sub-patterns and further in response to the location of the predetermined ground sample.

Claim 10

The method as in claim 7, further including changing at least one of the plurality of sub-patterns in real time for accommodating a change in the simulated radar position.

Claim 11

Apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the pattern select means and the pattern storage means include a respective random access memory.

Claim 12

In a radar image generation system, apparatus for simulating images to be displayed, comprising: cell texture generator means for modifying in real time the areal height and areal reflectivity portion of source data available from a source of data in response to the areal reflectivity portion, wherein the source data include areal height and reflectivity information for defining features includable in the images to be displayed; and sweep profile processor means coupled to the cell texture generator means, the sweep profile processor means for simulating the images to be displayed in response to the modified areal height and areal reflectivity portion of the source data.

Claim 13

In a radar image generation system, apparatus for simulating images to be displayed, comprising: cell texture generator means for modifying in real time the areal height and areal reflectivity portion of source data available from a source of data in response to the areal reflectivity portion, wherein the source data include areal height and reflectivity information for defining features includable in the images to be displayed; and sweep profile processor means coupled to the cell texture generator means, the sweep profile processor means for simulating the images to be displayed in response to the modified areal height and areal reflectivity portion of the source data.

Claim 14

Apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the cell texture generator means include: pattern storage means for storing a predetermined plurality of patterns, wherein each of the predetermined plurality of patterns is representative of a respective areal type; and pattern select means coupled to the pattern storage means, the pattern select means for identifying one of the predetermined plurality of patterns in response to the areal reflectivity portion of the source data, wherein the areal reflectivity and areal height of the source data are modified in response to the identified one of the plurality of patterns.

Claim 15

Apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the cell texture generator means further include pattern position accumulator means coupled to the pattern storage means, the pattern position accumulator means responsive to the location of a predetermined ground sample of a radar sweep for selecting a corresponding portion of the identified one of the plurality of patterns, wherein the areal reflectivity and areal height of the source data are modified in response to the selected corresponding portion of the identified pattern.

Claim 16

Apparatus as in claim 11, wherein the pattern select means and the pattern storage means include a respective programmable read-only-memory.

Claim 17

Apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the cell texture generator means include: sub-pattern level storage means for storing a predetermined plurality of sub-patterns, wherein each of the predetermined plurality of sub-patterns is representative of a respective terrain grid and include corresponding height and reflectivity information; pattern level storage means coupled to the sub-pattern level storage means, the pattern level storage means for selecting a predetermined one of the plurality of sub-patterns wherein the pattern level storage means includes a predetermined plurality of patterns, and further wherein each of the predetermined plurality of patterns is representative of a respective arrangement of sub-patterns; pattern select means coupled to the pattern level storage means, the pattern select means for identifying one of the predetermined plurality of patterns in response to the areal reflectivity portion of the source data; and pattern position accumulator means coupled to the pattern level storage means and to the sub-pattern level storage means, the pattern position accumulator means responsive to the location of a predetermined ground sample of a radar sweep for selecting a corresponding portion of the identified one of the plurality of patterns and for selecting a portion of the predetermined one of the plurality of sub-patterns wherein the areal reflectivity and areal height of the source data are modified in response to the selected portion of the predetermined one of the plurality of sub-patterns.

Claim 18

Apparatus as in claim 14, wherein the pattern select means, pattern level storage means and sub-pattern level storage means include a respective programmable read-only-memory.

Claim 19

Apparatus as in claim 14, wherein the pattern select means, pattern level storage means and sub-pattern level storage means include a respective random access memory.