Hardware Architecture of a Real-Time Simulator for the CORDIS-ANIMA System: Physical Models, Images, Gestures, Sounds

Publisher Summary This chapter describes hardware architecture of a real-time simulator for the CORDIS–AIMIMA system. The ACROE team has designed since 1984, a computer formalism, called the CORDIS–ANIMA system, which combines a physically based modeler and a physically based real-time simulator. The fundamental choice of this modeler-simulator is the particle physics paradigm, based on the physical interactions between punctual masses. In this formalism, a physical object or a set of objects are modeled and simulated in real time as a set of punctual masses linked by centered interaction chains. The most basic ones are linear elastic and viscous interactions combined with finite-state automata processes, allowing the description of any kind of nonlinear interaction. Between masses, interactions can be put in parallel, and the conjunction of each functionality allows the creation of very complex interactions. By these means, a model of any kind of deformable materials, complex materials and complex object assemblies can be created. In this chapter, hardware characteristics of the ideal simulator are elaborated. Synchronization and communications aspects are discussed. Characteristics of the ACROE simulator are also described.