Development of an engineering simulator for armored vehicle

Abstract

This paper illustrates the main features and structure of the armored vehicle engineering simulator (AVES). Considering high cost and long cycle development problem of the traditional armored vehicle design, the AVES has been developed for purposes to test rationality of design, to investigate different parameter effects on vehicle performance, to study man-machine efficacy in kinds of situation, to train crews. The AVES is made up of eight components, including vehicle dynamics, motion platform, visual simulation, sound effect, cockpit, man-machine interface, vibration seat and main console. High Level Architecture (HLA) pRTI and TCP/IP protocol is used to connect each component to exchange data and ensure real-time capability and synchronization of the AVES. Armored vehicle multi body dynamics model established by Vortex is reusable and modular to set up different vehicle. Motion platform is a classic Stewart platform driven by hydraulic system, which provides six degrees of freedom motion for crews. Visual simulation 3D model is built in Creator, rendered by VegaPrime to display on monitors in AVES. Man-machine interface and vibration seat is arranged in cockpit for crews operation. The development of the AVES can not only provide a platform for new vehicle design and performance evaluation, but also make further research on man-machine efficacy.