METHOD TO CREATE A HIGH RESOLUTION TERRAIN DATABASE

A new method of creating a realistic simulated terrain database results in a database that requires less computer memory for storage than prior simulated terrain databases. The new method generates a simulated surface that provides realistic disturbances to a real-time mathematical model of a vehicle traversing the simulated surface. The simulated surface is also output visually. The method uses fractal Brownian motion to create the high-resolution terrain database in the frequency domain, and then the database is transformed to the spatial domain using a two-dimensional inverse Fast Fourier Transform. Then control points describing a NURBS surface are extracted from the transformed database, and thereafter geometric G1 continuity is created between surface patches represented by the NURBS control points. The surface patches form a high-resolution surface superimposed on a lower resolution surface produced by the image generator to create a hybrid, high-resolution simulated terrain. The hybrid simulated terrain interacts with the vehicle model to provide a realistic experience to a human driver navigating the vehicle model over the terrain.