Modeling and Simulation Support Requirements.

TAPE’s role involved managing subject matter experts (SMEs) with experience in the application and integration of visual systems and computer graphics hardware technology including image generators, display systems, and video distribution as related to the design of electronic computer based simulation or training systems equipment.

TAPE’s Visual Systems Engineers had the experience and ability to evaluate computer technology to meet requirements of scene generation with respect to frame rate, memory, and disk space, all of these skills helping to keep our military and our warfighters ahead of technology changes as they apply to training software and hardware systems and practices.

• Oversaw the Visual Systems Integration process; once an image generation is selected, the preparation and modification of it must be coordinated within the existing Army-trained database. Visual models, both platform and behavioral are created using support image generation and data integration into the Army training environment and staff, as well as verifying the visual models, keenness of visual representation, and behaviors.
• Conducted Display Engineering involving Image Generation capability. Image generators provide digital representation and visual information to displays, whether they’re juxtaposed displays, calligraphic projectors, or wide screen TVs so that the imagery is spot on or specifications are defined to render the training capabilities or training environments.

The DoD Simulation Glossary distinguishes between LVC Simulation types as follows:

• Live – A simulation involving real people operating real systems. Military training events using equipment are live simulations. They are considered simulations because they are not conducted against a live enemy. 
• Virtual – A simulation involving real people operating simulated systems. Virtual simulations inject a Human-in-the-Loop (Human-in-the-Loop or HITL is defined as a model that requires human interaction.) into a central role by exercising motor control skills (e.g., flying jet or tank simulator), decision making skills (e.g., committing fire control resources to action), or communication skills.
• Constructive – A simulation involving real people operating simulated systems. Real people stimulate (make inputs to) such simulations, but are not involved in determining the outcomes. A constructive simulation is a computer program. For example, a military user may input data instructing a unit to move and to engage an enemy target. The constructive simulation determines the speed of movement, the effect of the engagement with the enemy and any battle damage that may occur. These terms should not be confused with specific constructive models such as Computer Generated Forces (CGD), a generic term used to refer to computer representations of forces in simulations that attempts to model human behavior. CGF is just one example model being used in a constructive environment. There are many types of constructive models that involve simulated people operating simulated systems.