Correlation of out-the-window visual, infrared, radar, and other sensor displays must exist in local and networked simulation environments in order for users to obtain meaningful and consistent information about the simulated world. The use of a large numbers of image generators with varying capacities and the networking of simulators capable of varying degrees of fidelity underscore the need for consistent and quantitative specifications of and automated testing tools for correlation.

This paper describes the evaluation of correlation potential from databases provided by the DoD Standard Simulator Data Base Project 2851. It presents quantitative correlation testing metrics and software developed for evaluation of Project 2851 Generic Transformed Data Bases. It also describes the application of metrics to compute the degree of correspondence between simulation databases—not only for terrain elevation but also for feature attribute data. Our results demonstrate varying degrees of correlation potential between databases and levels of detail and verify the utility of the specifications, quantitative metrics, and automated tools to predict correlation from databases.