Digital map generator and display system

Abstract

A digital information storage and read-out system in which digital elevation and cultural terrain data is read from a magnetic tape in compressed form into an intermediate memory which operates as a speed buffer memory. The data in the intermediate memory is read out to a reconstruction processor in which the compressed data is reconstructed and applied to a scene memory. A navigation computer determines the instantaneous position of a vehicle with respect to the terrain and controls the reading of data into the scene memory in blocks with the vehicle position occupying a center of scene location. In order to provide a heading up display of the terrain, the data in the scene memory is raed out at an angle to its north-up storage orientation and interlaced scanning of pixel data in the scene memory improves resolution and enhances line display. The data read out of the scene memory controls the generation of video control signals to effect a display of the elevation and cultural data as a moving map related to the vehicle position.