VR-Forces simulates individual entities and aggregate entities.
Entities are simulated objects (DtVrfObjects) that correspond approximately to HLA RPR FOM and DIS platforms and lifeforms. In VR-Forces, aggregate entities are modelled as a single entity that represents an organizational structure (an aggregated entity) or as individual entities that represent an organizational structure (a disaggregated entity). The members of a disaggregated entity can be individual entities or smaller aggregated entities.
VR-Forces uses the following mechanisms to simulate entities. These mechanisms are discussed in detail in this chapter, and in some cases, in later chapters in this manual.
-
Highly parameterized models, which allow you to change the characteristics of entities. VR-Forces Configuration Guide describes how to set parameter values in the object parameter database. The important point to understand as a developer, is that when you create new components, you need to consider whether or not you want the components to have parameters that users can set in the object parameter database, and if so, design the components accordingly. For more information, please see State Repositories for Entities.
-
A component architecture and Component Manager. To simulate entity behaviors and carry out tasks, VR-Forces uses a component architecture similar to that used in many robotics applications. The Component Manager creates, connects, and maintains the lists of components. Please see Components and The Component Manager.
-
The Organization Manager. The Organization Manager maintains an entity's place in the organizational hierarchy. Please see The Organization Manager.
-
Process state repositories and the Process State Repository Manager. Process state repositories maintain the state of an entity. When you save or checkpoint a scenario, the information in the process state repository is written to the order of battle file. Please see State Repositories for Entities.
-
The Task Manager. The Task Manager does the processing and message handling required to execute a task. It does not execute specific tasks. Please see The Task Manager.
-
Resources and the Resource Manager. The Resource Manager tracks entity resources, such as ammunition, fuel, and so on. Please see The Resource Manager
-
The Plan Manager. Each entity has a Plan Manager to manage its plan. For details, please see Plans.
-
Radios. VR-Forces simulates a radio-like communication system for sending tasks to entities and receiving reports from entities. Each entity has a radio. For more information about radios, please see Entity Communication.
The Basic Structure of an Entity
As stated previously, all entities are DtVrfObjects. VR-Forces does not use derived classes to distinguish different types of entities, such as ground vehicles, missiles, and so on. They are distinguished from each other and from other objects by the state repository and other subcomponents that get created when they are instantiated. An entity is expected to have the following subcomponents:
The particular subcomponents that get created for an entity are determined by the subcomponents section of the entity’s parameter block in the object parameter database.
[Home] [Top of Page] [Components and The Component Manager >>]
