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The StarSim Simulation System
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The StarSim Simulation Engine is a computational tool that performs a
simulation operation for a model system.
The data space can become quite large and complex, and the mass of digital
data that are generated are not usually amenable to direct interpretation
by a human operator.
Instead, the operator controls the parameters of the simulation and views
the results through the use of one (or more) StarSim visualization tools.
These tools provide a graphical user interface (GUI) that is tailored
specifically for the application.
The particular simulation that is shown below allows the client to model
and predict the progress of a bioattack that employs one or more nerve agents.
In practice, it represents the targeted area and environs using a
satellite image, a map, or a topographic map, as selected by the operator.
The StarSim screen images shown here are derived from a demonstration version
of the program which uses approximations instead of actual data from the
Simulation Engine.
(Note: These images have been reduced from the original for convenience.
The actual panes are approximately 25% larger than the images shown here.)
This image shows an operator control panel for the simulated attack.
The operational StarSim system allows the operator to select any location
in the United States for analysis.
Due to space limitations, the demonstration version of the program is fixed
at an area of Austin, Texas bounded by The University of Texas campus on the
south, the St. John's Rd. neighborhoods north, IH-35 and the old Mueller
airport site on the east, and Mopac Freeway and its environs on the west.
(The satellite image data shown here are obsolete.
The client will doubtless wish to use more recent satellite imagery or
possibly proprietary map data.
Provision has been made in StarSim for the use of real time satellite images
and other online map sources.)
In an operating environment, the current conditions at the target location
are imported from online NOAA and other governmental sources;
this demonstration program estimates the current conditions.
In this example, the operator has specified a single event (beginning at time
t=0.00) that simulates contamination with Tabun;
1¼ hours have been simulated at this point.
The operator may use the "Rewind" button to return to
time t=0.00 in the current configuration,
or "Restart" to reinitialize the simulation completely.
The operational StarSim program will fetch online census data to enable it to
make estimates of casualties in the contaminated areas;
the demonstration program has no such capability.
At the 1:15 hour mark in this example (see the control panel, above),
the area of contamination has expanded as shown on the satellite image below.
The intense colored circle area denotes the area of initial contamination,
as defined by the operator;
the smeared colored area denoted the area into which the contamination has
expanded due to wind conditions.
The operational program allows the operator to click at selected points
in the image to determine the density of contamination, as predicted by
the Simulation Engine.
Copyright 2005 by Lone Star Biotechnologies, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
