Bihrle Applied Research Inc. | 81 Research Drive, Hampton, VA 23666 USA | +1 757.766.2416

DSix Overview

Slide 2DSix Overview

DSix

DSix is a Windows-based commercial

software toolset that facilitates the

development and deployment of fixed-wing

and rotary-wing aircraft flight models for

use in simulation applications.

Slide 3DSix Overview

DSix provides a reconfigurable simulation environment designed to support diverse simulation applications including:

Trainer math model development

Flight data visualization and analysis

Flying qualities assessment

Hardware-in-the-loop simulation

Multi-vehicle simulation scenarios

Typical DSix Applications

Slide 4DSix Overview

DSix Core Components

Comprehensive simulation environment

SimulationEngine

AtmosphericModel

Data PortingTools

Image Generator

AnalyticalTools

Flight ModelWizard

VirtualInstruments

Add-on ModuleWizard

HardwareInterfaces

NetworkInterface

SoftwareInterfaces

ExtensiveScripting

Slide 5DSix Overview

DSix Design

Supports development of any aircraft type since no rigid model structure is required

Provides rapid reconfiguration of aircraft flight model

Provides real-time operation of complex models on a standard WindowsOS (version 7 and later) PC

Easily extensible through off-the-shelf and user-developed plug-in modules

Slide 6DSix Overview

DSix Design

Provides rapid reconfiguration of the simulation environment to incorporate hardware (e.g., joysticks, cockpit, flight hardware, etc.)

Provides powerful integration with 3rd party software and hardware (e.g., Matlab, Simulink, Prepar3d, Moog-FCS, National Instruments, etc.)

Easily transfer flight models between users and limit code exposure for collaborative development

Slide 7DSix Overview

Key Features & Benefits of DSix

Slide 8DSix Overview

DSix Key Features & Benefits

Non-linear 6-DOF EOMSixteen State Model [u,v,w,p,q,r,qo,q1,q2,q3,Xned,Yned,Zned,Xe,Ye,Ze]Quaternion BasedWGS84 Navigation Equations

MIL-STD environment model1976 USGS Standard Atmosphere model valid to 200,000 ftMIL-8785C Dryden turbulence modelMulti-level steady windsRandom winds (magnitude and direction)Microburst/wind-shear model

Simulation Environment

Slide 9DSix Overview

DSix Key Features & Benefits

Modular structure for customization and extensionProject-based design for portability Extensive scripting capabilitiesTable Database

ASCII text based – easily built in a variety of apps (i.E., Excel, Matlab, etc.)Multi-dimensional – [6+ dimensions]Reconfigurable – graphical database manipulation and visualizationEfficient data table processor for high performance

Simulation Environment (cont.)

Slide 10DSix Overview

Data File Format

BAR2.0 DCADHN15.0 DCA DUE TO SYMMETRIC TAIL DEFLECTION DH=-15, MACH=0AXIS LENGTH = 4POSITION (0,0)= -15.0000

+0.0000E+000 +1.0000E+001 +2.0000E+001 +3.0000E+001-1.0000E+001 +7.3100E-003 +1.6300E-002 +2.0680E-002 +1.2070E-002-5.0000E+000 +5.6300E-003 +1.2900E-002 +1.5330E-002 +6.4600E-003+0.0000E+000 +3.9500E-003 +9.5000E-003 +9.9800E-003 +8.5000E-004+2.5000E+000 +3.1100E-003 +7.8000E-003 +7.3050E-003 -1.9550E-003+5.0000E+000 +2.2700E-003 +6.1000E-003 +4.6300E-003 -4.7600E-003+7.5000E+000 +2.7950E-003 +6.2100E-003 +5.0900E-003 -6.7900E-003+1.0000E+001 +3.3200E-003 +6.3200E-003 +5.5500E-003 -8.8200E-003+1.2500E+001 +5.7150E-003 +7.5900E-003 +3.7250E-003 -1.0925E-002+1.5000E+001 +8.1100E-003 +8.8600E-003 +1.9000E-003 -1.3030E-002+1.7500E+001 +7.0500E-003 +8.8850E-003 -1.3500E-004 -1.4870E-002

Above is a typical InfoFile data table in BAR 2.0 format.

Slide 11DSix Overview

Data Table Structure

The fundamental structure of table Lookup is the 2-Dimensional (2-D) table as shown in the previous slide. Typical independent variables are Angle of Attack and Sideslip Angle. Any number of breakpoints can in the rows and columns. There does not have to be an equal number (square) .

For 3-Dimensional data lookups, 2-D tables are grouped for the third variable . One data table is made for each 3rd dimension independent variable argument. The number and value of the breakpoints of the row and column of each 2-D table must match.

Sideslip Angle

Angle of Attack

3rd

Dimension Data Tables

Rudder Deflection

Slide 12DSix Overview

DSix Key Features & Benefits

Real-time and batch operations

Simulation control – direct, remote, script

DirectX-based graphics and sound

Virtual instruments

Simulation Operation

Slide 13DSix Overview

DSix Key Features

Flexible component-based model structureDSix project wizard

For creating flight models

DSix module wizardFor extending DSix capabilities

Aeroport utility for data import/exportImport/export over 12 industry formatsCustom import/export Wizard for new formats

Flight Model Development

AEROPORT

MS Excel

Number of Formats

Slide 14DSix Overview

DSix Key Features

Scripting Simulation Loop Interfaces

– Use Jscript, VBScript, others

• Batch Control

• Event-Based Execution

– Interfaces with 3rd Party Software

• Transfer data between DSix and target applications

– Execute Matlab, Word, Etc. Commands from DSix

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Access

Slide 15DSix Overview

DSix Key Features

Real-time data visualization (time history & variable displays)

Post-run plotting and editing

Simulation overdrive

Scripting

Flight Model Analysis

Slide 16DSix Overview

DSix Key Features

Modular design facilitates integration with hardware

Project-based graphical I/O configuration

Network ready

Components export interfaces directly through the interface manager (direct access to internal functions)

Flight Model Interface

Slide 17DSix Overview

DSix Key Features

Light-weight graphics engine intended for engineering development on the desktop.

Can be used with most conventional PC 3D graphics cards.

Provides generic, flat-earth, fixed-size terrain database.

Provides complete user view control.

User configurable aircraft visual models, terrain detection, velocity vector, wing tip streamers, etc.

Built-in Graphics (Thirdwire)

Slide 18DSix Overview

DSix Key Features

Build custom, 2-D instrumentation displays from bitmaps w/ animated elements

Supports analog and digital type instruments.

Examples include analog dials and sliders, digital numeric readouts, lights, buttons, multi-position switches, and others.

Specialized instruments include attitude indicator and combination gauges (combination of dial and a slider).

Driven by simple DSix instruments scripting language.

Virtual Instruments

Slide 19DSix Overview

Built-in Support for Industry Tools

DSix Key Features & Benefits

Lockheed Martin’s Prepar3d Full-Earth

Terrain Database

DiSTI’s GLStudioVirtual Instruments

Mathworks’ Matlab

Slide 20DSix Overview

Mathworks Interface

Provides Matlab users with an interface to Matlab command set

Provides Simulink® users with a seamless way to integrate block diagram models developed in Simulink as real-time components in DSix.

DSix interface is called Bihrle Generic Target (BGT)

Using the MathWorks Coders, BGT allows C code output to be directly imported and linked as a simulation element in DSix.

Integrate Simulink models as real-time components in DSix

Slide 21DSix Overview

Prepar3d InterfaceDSix module for interfacing to Prepar3d is included with DSix. Prepar3d license(s) sold separately.

Provides WGS-84, full-earth terrain database.

Provides immersive graphics with configurable time-of-day, weather, scenery objects, etc. Many 3rd party scenery packs and enhancements available.

Can utilize NVIDIA “Surround” technology to present visual scene across multiple displays.

Requires high-end graphics card (NVIDIA GeForce 980 or above).

Slide 22DSix Overview

GLStudio Interface

DSix module for interfacing to DiSTI GLStudio content is included with DSix.

Provides DSix users with the ability to load and run DiSTI’s Reusable Software Objects (RSOs)

Pre-built instrument RSOs can be purchased from DiSTI and custom instrument RSOs can be built using the GLStudio Desktop development environment (license sold separately).

GLStudio-based instruments provide an alternative to DSix built-in instrument development and allows for the development of 3D instruments.

Slide 23DSix Overview

DSix Add-on Modules

Slide 24DSix Overview

DSix Network Package

Specialized Client Server network application

High performance, stable, and flexible

Easily scaled for multiple entities

Any client can specify network operation control

Start, Stop, Pause and Step, etc.

Users have control over simulation data broadcast

Ethernet LAN and WAN connection

Client 1 Client 2 Client 3

DSixNet Server

Slide 25DSix Overview

National Instruments Interface Module

Provides rapid integration of any NIDAQ MX compatible card as an Input/Output (I/O) device

Exposes the I/O card’s digital and analog channels to DSix’s IODevice interface

Directly map DSix variables to and from the NIDAQ card.

Slide 26DSix Overview

Moog/FCS Interface Module

Allows DSix to interface with various Moog/FCS stick loading, motion base, and G-seat hardware.

Provides direct communication between DSix and FCS products using an Ethernet connection.

Assists in the development, validation and deployment of large scale training systems.

Slide 27DSix Overview

DSix Applications

Slide 28DSix Overview

Pilatus Engineering Simulator

Needed an in-house simulation development and configuration evaluation capability

No in-house simulation experience

DSix used to develop simulation models and perform desktop evaluations, training

Gradually added external graphics IG, electrically loaded stick, instruments and avionics interfaces

DSix now the flight model host for reconfigurable engineering simulator

Slide 29DSix Overview

Pilatus Engineering Simulator

Ethernet Communication Interface

A/D Device Communication

Interface

Stick Loader

Avionics

Cockpit Controls

External Graphics

Slide 30DSix Overview

Navy F-18E/F Simulation Station

Model delivered from Boeing (MODSDF engineering sim) with database in CTAB form and FCS in FORTRAN code

>6,700 Equivalent 2-D tables (>1.7 million datapoints)

>4,700 Variables

FCS Uses McAir FORTRAN Code Compiled As Linked ObjectGreatly Reduced Implementation, Validation ProcessAll Flight Control Modes and Functionality Modeled

Integration of HardwareFull Out-the-Window Texture Mapped Graphics W/ HUDTerrain and Aircraft Carrier ModelsDigitally Encoded Stick, Throttle and Rudder Pedals

Conversion to DSix w/ Aeroport and other tools

Sim used in flight test support and visualization tasks

Slide 31DSix Overview

Collaborative Development: Auto-ACAS

Need for collision avoidance algorithm development/evaluation between sites

Proprietary, interface issues restrict simulation choices

Modeling of multiple vehicles w/ accurate positional information required

Dynamic mix of UAV, aircraft simulations needed w/ real time algorithm modification capability

High performance, configurable network required for easy evaluation of scenario, latency issues

DSix used to provide high fidelity modeling of vehicles, interactions and algorithm performance – all available for team assessment and contribution

Project

FTP Site

Lockheed Boeing

BAR

Saab AFRL

Edwards

Slide 32DSix Overview

DSix Ground Station for ACAS

Validation of ACAS algorithm needed prior to actual multi-aircraft engagement

DSix simulating virtual aircraft on ground station to operate with piloted airplane

RS-232 interface w/ GPS for timing synchronization1553 bus interface w/ SADL datalink for inter-aircraft ACAS communication

Allows safe exercising of ACAS scenarios w/ actual flight hardware

Pilot HMD display for pilot visualization of virtual aircraft

Slide 33DSix Overview

DSix Ground Station for ACAS

DSIX Ground Station w/ Virtual Vehicle

Simulation + ACAS AlgorithmACAS Data

Link

Piloted F-16 +

onboard ACAS

Algorithm

Virtual

Vehicle

Virtual

Collision

Virtual

Avoidance

SADL Radio for

Data Link

RS 232 1553

MUX

GPS antenna for

GPS/UTC Time

Slide 34DSix Overview

Distributed AAR Simulation

Automated Aerial Refueling (AAR) capability needed to fully realize UAV / UCAV potential

Need to evaluate the effectiveness of AAR with UAVsDevelopment and evaluation of CONOPs, autonomous algorithms, safety of flight issues

High fidelity models of complete UAV airframe and systems, tanker, boomer, and ground control stations needed for rigorous effectiveness evaluation

Additional requirement for aero interaction between tanker and UAV to insure adequate control power, operational requirements, safety of flight

Complete distributed multi-UAV simulation network established for highly successful development program

Slide 35DSix Overview

Distributed AAR SimulationMCS Operator

6DOF UAV Simulation

6DOF UAV Simulation

6DOF UAV Simulation

Refueling Boom Model

DSix Network

Scramnet Interface

KC-135 Tanker Model

Slide 36DSix Overview

Flight Hardware: Boeing Test Station

An easily accessible full simulation of the F-18E/F was needed to support flight control hardware development, evaluation

Navy’s DSix F-18E/F flight model used for high fidelity aero sim

Graphical user interface for programmable mapping of I/O variables between FCS flight hardware and PC DSix station

Ethernet communication between FCS flight hardware and DSix flight model

Full hardware-in-the-loop operation at 80 hz real-time w/ pilot cockpit interface

F18E/F FCC Test Bench

F-18E/F Cockpit

Slide 37DSix Overview

C-172 Research Simulator

Slide 38DSix Overview

NASA Icing Effects Demonstrator

Slide 39DSix Overview

DSix Summary

DSix is a flexible PC based simulation tool suited for engineering development

Ability to easily develop new models, integrate legacy models and databasesEmbedded developmental, visualization tools

DSix provides a common simulation environment for distributed development efforts

Dissemination of compiled objectsMulti-use projects – Desktop to Lab to TrainerTransparent dissemination of models between DSix users

DSix easily supports development with 3rd party toolsMatlab/SimulinkMS ExcelOthers

Slide 40DSix Overview