SAN
JOSE, CA - October 17th, 2002
- Quantum3D®, Inc., a leading provider of open
architecture realtime 3D visual computing platforms and solutions
for the Visual Simulation and Training (VST) and Embedded Visual
Computing (EVC) markets, today announced Independence™,
the first 4th generation Image Generator (IG). Independence's
4th generation design employs a unique "system level"
implementation of Quantum3D's Parallel Rendering Architecture
(PRA™) that provides industry leading realtime performance,
unmatched full scene anti-aliased (FSAA) image quality and essential
features that far exceed the capabilities of competitive IGs
- all while preserving the open architecture and value proposition
benefits that are the hallmark of Quantum3D products.
Independence is also the first IG to feature
"enterprise class" computing capabilities including
"four-nines" high availability, Intrinsic Pre-Planned
Product Improvement (IP3I) and comprehensive IG Management software
(IGM™)-all of which are designed to ensure longevity of
the system and reduce the user's total cost of ownership. IGM
is a comprehensive suite of system administration tools that
greatly simplify IG configuration management, housekeeping and
runtime management tasks via an intuitive graphical user interface.
IGM provides hierarchical access and control of the IG- including
all of the system's scalable performance and image quality features.
Independence's 4th generation design uniquely supports IP3I
by accommodating the ready insertion of new technology at the
subsystem level. Independence's IP3I capability addresses technology
obsolescence issues that confront other IGs by enabling continuous
performance and feature improvement over the life of the system.
Independence is also the first IG to achieve 0.9999 ("four
nines") effective availability. Independence's high availability,
which enables the system to continue operating after subsystem
failures, results in significantly reduced IG downtime-typically
by a factor of ten, when compared with 3rd generation or proprietary
IGs.
Independence's
Parallel Rendering Architecture combines the outputs from multiple,
nVSync™-synchronized NVIDIA® Quadro®4
GPUs (Graphic Processing Units) into a single "Primary
Visual Channel" (PVC) that delivers the best image fidelity
and highest realtime performance available today-with 16 subpixel
sample (SPS) full scene antialiasing (FSAA) and pixel fill,
polygon and texture paging performance of up to 2.6 Gigapixels/sec,
9.6 million independent textured triangles/sec and 1 Gigatexel/sec,
respectively. Independence's high performance, unsurpassed image
quality, coupled with its low latency and QXGA resolution scalability,
support for high fidelity IR and NVG sensor applications, outstanding
support for 60 Hz geo-specific texture-mapped applications and
enterprise class computing features make the system ideal for
demanding fixed-wing and helicopter mission rehearsal and precision
flight training application requirements.
"Independence
represents a completely new approach to image generation. By
combining system level parallel rendering with NVIDIA Quadro4
GPU technology, we have created the most advanced and enduring
open architecture IG solution ever developed," said Ross
Q. Smith, Quantum3D co-founder and EVP of business development
and marketing. `"Independence not only anchors the high
end of our line of IGs by offering training system integrators
the highest performance and best image quality available today,
it also uniquely protects them from technology obsolescence
and unwanted downtime by virtue of its high availability and
built in IP3I capabilities - which no other IG can equal."
"With the ability to harness multiple
NVIDIA Quadro4 graphics processors powering a single display,
Quantum3D's Independence is making a new standard of rendering
performance possible," said Jeff Brown, director of workstation
product management at NVIDIA Corporation, the leaders in visual
processing solutions. "By leveraging our top performing
and market share leading Quadro4 professional graphics technology,
Quantum3D is able to deliver the highest standard of visual
quality to meet the strict requirements of its aviation customers
and their training applications."
The
first major win for Independence is the U.S. Army's CH-47F Transportable
Flight Proficiency Simulator (TPFS), which is being integrated
by J. F. Taylor, Inc. under contract to the U.S. Naval Air Warfare
Center Aircraft Division, Manned Flight Simulator Facility at
NAS Patuxent River, MD. The CH-47F program, with requirements
for sustained 60 Hz frame rate on high-resolution, large area,
geo-specific terrain with dense cultural features and large
numbers of moving models and special effects, is typical of
the types of applications that will benefit from Independence'
performance, image quality, special effects, high availability
and unique P3I capabilities.
"The CH-47F TFPS visual integrated product
team selected Quantum3D's Independence IG for its performance
and anti-aliasing capabilities," said Jonathan M. Tonkyro,
Computer Scientist at J.F. Taylor. "Independence with nVSensor
has allowed us to satisfy or exceed our training requirements."
About Independence
More than a platform, Independence is integrated, open architecture
image generation solution that is ideal for integration with
both new and legacy high fidelity display systems. Independence
IGs consist of up to 32 synchronized Primary and Auxiliary Visual
Channels (PVCs and AVCs) and include all necessary system-internal
connectivity and power distribution subsystems. Independence
systems also include an IG Controller (IGC) System that hosts
specific IG system software components and provides the IG external
interface to the simulation host or facility. Independence system
software, including Microsoft® Windows2000™,
is pre-installed and configured on the IGC and all visual channels.
Independence
comes standard with Mantis™, Quantum3D's industry leading
IG software. Independence and Mantis provide comprehensive compatibility
with important vis-sim industry standards including OpenGL®
1.3, OpenFlight® and TerraPage™. Mantis
features a modular architecture that supports the use of Quantum3D
and customer developed plug-ins for enhanced capabilities. With
Mantis and associated plug-ins, Independence provides complete
IG functionality, including high fidelity conventional and shader-based
weather and special effects, mission functions, active load
management for sustained frame rates, fade level of detail (FLOD)
that eliminates distracting "popping" associated with
abrupt LOD changes and detail texture mapping, which provides
enhanced visual cues. For high fidelity sensor simulation applications,
Independence PVCs and AVCs are available with Quantum3D's nVSensor™
sensor post processor and viXsen™ plug-in for Mantis. With
the combination of nVSensor and viXsen, Independence delivers
unrivaled dynamic, physics-based IR and NVG capabilities with
pixel-accurate atmospherics, precision sensor effects, reticles
and symbology.
Pricing, Availability and Related Information
Lead-time for standard Independence configurations is approximately
45 days ARO. First customer shipments begin in November, 2002.
Independence is also available with Quantum3D's
OpenGVS™, VTree® and SoftIG™ realtime
scene management software for qualified customers and a developer's
program and factory install software services are available
for qualified OEMs. Turnkey Independence systems, coupled with
OEM-developed realtime image generation software, should also
be available from leading training system solution providers
beginning in 1H03.
For detailed information on Independence configuration
options, specific lead-times and pricing, please contact Quantum3D
sales at sales@quantum3d.com
or contact your local Quantum3D distributor.
About Quantum3D
Quantum3D® develops and markets technologies
and products that enable the realtime visual computing market.
In particular, Quantum3D and its subsidiaries develop realtime
2D/3D visual computing subsystems, integrated systems, software
and digital content for the visual simulation and training and
embedded visual computing markets. Quantum3D's AAlchemy®,
Obsidian® and Graphite™ family of scaleable,
open architecture PC-based image generators (PC-IGs) include
mission critical features, industry leading performance, superior
graphics and image quality, and unsurpassed value, which have
made the products the industry standard for synthetic environment
training applications. In addition, Quantum3D creates and distributes
realtime development software tools and products including OpenGVS,
SoftIG and the CG2 family of products: Mantis, VTree®,
viXSen, IData™ and Facets™ - all of which enable developers
to fully optimize their applications to benefit from the company's
visual computing solutions. Quantum3D is the exclusive supplier
of NVIDIA graphics technology for the embedded military and
aerospace visual computing market. Quantum3D's embedded visual
computing product offerings include the Farsight™ program
for custom form factor embedded graphics applications, and the
Sentiris™ and Ventana® embedded graphics
subsystems for COTS form factor embedded graphics applications.
Quantum3D is a privately held, venture-backed company headquartered
in San Jose, CA. For more information, please see www.quantum3d.com.
###
AAlchemy, Obsidian, Quicksilver, Ventana,
VTree and Quantum3D are registered trademarks, and Independence,
Sentiris, Graphite, OpenGVS, Farsight, Mantis, viXSen, IData,
IGM, QSync, SoftIG and Facets are trademarks of Quantum3D, Inc.
CG2 is a registered trademark of CG2 , Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of Quantum3D, Inc. NVIDIA and Quadro are registered
trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation. nVSync and nVSensor are trademarks
of NVIDIA corporation that are licensed exclusively to Quantum3D.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Performance measurements are based on benchmarks conducted by
Quantum3D using the RealWorldBenchmark™ Version 2.3.3.
Competitive IG performance was extrapolated from standard ATI
Radeon 8500 graphics boards on Intel Dual Xeon Pentium 4 systems
with the latest ATI drivers available at the time of publication.
Note to editors: Quantum3D will be demonstrating
Independence at the upcoming Association of the United States
Army (AUSA) conference in Washington, DC, October 21-23. Anyone
attending AUSA whom desires a demonstration of the system should
contact Jill Dornan at 503-262-6505 or via email at jdornan@quantum3d.com.
You can also stop by the Quantum3D booth No. 729 at the Omni
Shoreham Hotel and arrange a time for a demo.
