Geographically distributed simulation system, components and methods

Abstract

A distributed, networked simulation system has two or more vehicle simulators that resists latency errors when the vehicles are close to each other, and is especially useful for close maneuvering training such as tanker and receiver aircraft refueling exercises or combat exercises where one aircraft closely follows another. One simulator sends the other simulator data defining the relative linear displacements and rotations between their two vehicles. The receiving simulator uses the data to maintain the relative position of the other vehicle in its local scene data based on the defined relative displacement and rotation between the vehicles. An additional simulator may simulate the boom control on the tanker using similar relative position data. The system starts relative displacement data operation when one vehicle approaches another in the virtual world, and returns to normal operation when the vehicles separate.