Real time visualization of digital elevation model on parallel architecture

Abstract

This paper shows that digital elevation model's visualization may be performed on a line processor with performances satisfying actual real-time constraints. Two treatments must be distinguished to obtain the final result: first, an image transform which allows us to choose the positioning of the observer beside the scene and the distance from the observer to the scene, finally an image projection which allows us to choose elevation of this observer. In order to parallelize it on the line processor SYMPATI 2 we take advantage of its access capabilities for processing the image either in a row by row or in a column by column fashion. These capabilities allow us to decompose image transforms into 2 steps. The first one performs an x-constant transform, the second one a y-constant transform. This decomposition makes it possible to obtain very attractive processing times in comparison with those provided by wired operators.