An architecture to support large numbers of computer-generated actors for distributed virtual environments

A variety of challenges exist in the design of systems that can be used to host a wide variety of computer-generated actors (CGAs) that possess believ able behaviors. The challenges arise in the areas of system architecture an d design, knowledge-base design, decision-making mechanisms, and the distri buted virtual environment (DVE) network interface. These challenges are esp ecially significant if the DVE is to be used for training, because accurate training is essential to the ready application of training experience to r eal-world situations. The project described in this paper was undertaken to improve the quality of threat CGAs in DVEs utilized for aircrew training. In this paper, we describe the system and the reasons for its genesis. We p resent the system requirements, system architecture, component-wise decompo sition of the system design, and structure of the major components of the d ecision mechanism. We conclude with a summary of our results to date and re commendations for further research.