Synthetic environments and systems simulation
The development of an advanced synthetic environment capability offers many potential benefits to the aerospace sector:
- Reduced time for product development and deployment.
- Improved exploitation of current research.
- Enhanced communication through the supply chain.
The successful development of a synthetic environment capability requires the integration of state-of-the-art information, communication and visualisation technologies, world class research and a competitive commercial environment in which the benefits of success would be significant. The Aerospace Sector and the University of Manchester are well placed to play major roles in the development and exploitation of this theme.
Aerospace programmes are making increasing use of simulation-based assessments of product concepts such as: design, manufacture, deployment and operability. Furthermore, a crucial emphasis is now placed on how airborne platforms can coordinate, cooperate and collaborate within an operational network and how the total network, which may have a combination of air, land, sea or space components, can be optimised and managed in real time.
The infrastructure for synthetic environments can be seen as a collection of hardware and software resources that permit the interconnection of models and simulations with human participants. These participants may be operators, customers, designers or engineers, each of which have differing needs and roles. Each synthetic environment is therefore intended to assemble information and represent reality in a way that is best suited to a particular activity. The information needs of air operations, simulated manufacture and functional failure analysis for example are quite distinct.
Given the diversity of interests in the development of new systems, a dedicated multi-disciplinary research theme has been established in Synthetic Environments and Systems Simulation. This brings together expertise from across the University in a broad range of technologies which will contribute to air vehicles, their embedded systems, and their operational environment.
Advanced Interfaces Group
The Advanced Interfaces Group focuses on building improved human-computer interfaces through its research in virtual environments and collaborative visualization systems. This is grouped into three major themes:
- Design and implementation of novel software
- Exploration of fundamental techniques and algorithms
- Application of technologies and techniques
One of the activities of the Advanced Interfaces Group is to design and implement novel software systems that support complex, real-world applications of virtual environment technologies and distributed, collaborative working between geographically dispersed teams and individuals. Another activity involves research into fundamental techniques and algorithms, which is undertaken to improve methods for display and interaction with 3D computer models, such as using computer vision for unencumbered interaction, or using the latest graphics cards for very high-speed computations and display of complex models. To test that the systems developed really work, the technologies and techniques are built into applications in collaboration with companies and researchers from other disciplines. The group has an established record of publishing its results, releasing software under the GNU GPL, and licensing to companies
Centre for Novel Computing
The Centre for Novel Computing is an interdisciplinary research group whose mission is to investigate techniques and develop associated tools that support high performance computing and the use of shared parallel resources. Current research can be divided into the following themes:
- Performance engineering for performance-critical applications.
- Flexible composition and deployment of coupled models.
- Software tools supporting parallelisation and performance tuning.
- Run-time support for parallel language implementations.
Research Computing Services
The University of Manchester is one of the few universities in Europe that maintains a capacity to provide leading edge technical support for scientific and technical computing. The Research Computing Services group comprises around fifty technical experts whose mission is to help engineers quickly benefit from breakthroughs in technology. As well as supporting advanced computation across the University, Research Computing Services hosts the following UK National Services:
Knowledge gained through research is quickly put into practice through the development of software and standards, as well as the provision of consultancy and training. Examples related to the theme include the development of software for Interactive Finite Element Analysis, Computational steering using Reality Grid and tools for the visualisation package AVS .
Synthetic Environments and Systems Simulation Facilities at the University of Manchester
The University of Manchester hosts some of the best facilities to be found in the UK, some of which are available for hire by external organisations. Researchers in UMARI have at their disposal a wide range of supercomputing, visualisation and collaborative working facilities. These include the following:
- Bull Novascale Supercomputer
- Dedicated Visualisation Supercomputer
- Novel Hardware Platforms for Computation
- Widescreen Stereo Visualisation Theatre
- Portable 3D Stereo Visualisation Equipment
- Haptics Force Feedback Systems
- Access Grid Meeting Rooms
Postgraduate Study in Synthetic Environments and Systems Simulation
Taught Programmes
Taught postgraduate programmes in the School of Computer Science prepare the student for either a career in industry or research. There are many Masters Degrees to choose from, including Advanced Computer Science, and Advanced Computer Science with IT Management. These courses are modular and the students can chose from a diverse range of subjects.
Research degrees
Student research degrees are offered across the broad spectrum of Computer Science and Engineering, from fundamental theory and innovative technology, through novel hardware and software systems design, to leading-edge applications. Few universities in the world are able to offer the same breadth of expertise.
Continuing Professional Development
The School of Computer Science offers a broad portfolio of training programmes for the professional. These are delivered by distance learning, face-to-face or through virtual learning
environments.
| Dr L Margetts | Advanced Virtual Prototyping |
| Name | Research Areas | Dr MK Bane |
|---|---|
| Dr J Brooke | E-Science |
| Dr D Diston | Synthetic Environments (FULL) |
| Mr RW Ford | |
| Dr L Freeman | Numerical Analysis |
| Dr A Galata | Advanced Interfaces |
| Professor J Gurd | Simulation Performance Engineering |
| Mr T Howard | |
| Dr S Pettipher | Advanced Interfaces |
| Dr RL Pinning | |
| Mr G Riley | Dr M Turner |
