Synthetic scene generation model (SSGM R6.0)

The Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) must simulate the detection, acquisition, discrimination, and tracking of anticipated targets and predict the effect of natural and man- made background phenomena on optical sensor systems designed to perform these tasks. NRL is developing such a capability using a computerized methodology to provide modeled data in the form of digital realizations of complex, dynamic scenes. The Synthetic Scene Generation Model (SSGM) is designed to integrate state-of-science knowledge, data bases, and computerized phenomenology models to simulate ballistic missile engagement scenarios and to support the design, development, and test of advanced electro-optical interceptor and surveillance systems. Multi-phenomenology scenes are produced from validated codes -- thereby serving as a traceable standard against which different BMDO concepts and designs can be tested. This paper describes the SSGM software architecture, the software modules and databases that are used to create scene elements, the synthesis of deterministic and/or stochastic structured scene elements into composite scenes, the software system to manage the various databases and digital image libraries, the ancillary software tool suite, and verification and validation by comparison with empirical data. The focus is on the functionality of the SSGM Release 6.0, and the planned development effort for subsequent SSGM releases.