Acquisition and Display of Real-Time Atmospheric Data on Terrain

This paper investigates the integrated acquisition, organization, and display of data from disparate sources, including the display of data acquired in real-time. In this case real-time acquisition and display refers to the capture and visualization of data as they are being produced. The particular application investigated is 3D dynamic atmospheric data on terrain, but key elements presented here are applicable more generally to other types of real-time data. 3D Doppler radar data are acquired and visualized with global, high resolution terrain. This is the first time such data have been displayed together in a real-time environment and provides the potential for new vistas in forecasting and analysis. Associated data such as buildings and maps are displayed along with the weather data and the terrain. A global hierarchical structure makes these disparate data available for integrated visualization in real-time. Requirements for effective 3D visualization for decision-making are identified, and it is shown that the applications presented meet most of these requirements.