GPU-Based Volume Rendering for 3D Electromagnetic Environment on Virtual Globe

Abstract

Volume rendering is an important and effect algorithm to represent 3D volumetric data and 3D visualization on electromagnetic environment (EME) is one of the most important research fields in 3D battlespace. This paper presents a novel framework on visualizing the 3D EME by direct volume rendering on virtual globe. 3D power volumetric data is calculated based on the Longley-Rice radio propagation model (Irregular Terrain Model, ITM), which takes into account the effects of irregular terrain and atmosphere, and we use GPU-accelerated method to compute the EME volumetric data. The EME data are rendered using direct volume rendering method on virtual globe by assigning different color and opacity depending on user's interactive input with color picker. We also propose an interactive method to show detailed information of EME at given place. This approach provides excellent decision supporting and plan-aiding for users. Index Terms—volume rendering, electromagnetic environment, virtual globe, irregular terrain model