Analysis of delays in networked flight simulators

Networking large numbers of manned flight simulators over wide geographical areas has become feasible because of the great advances in the technologies of microprocessors, and local area and long haul networks. One of the main concerns in developing networked simulators is the effect of intersimulator time delay on the performance of these networks as training devices. Previous studies on the effects of time delays in single simulators provide guidance in analyzing this problem. This paper first introduces the networked simulator problem. Next, it reviews the basic optimal control model (OCM), one of the most useful methods for the mathematical modeling of pilots. Finally, it describes how the OCM concept can be used in the analysis of some networked flight simulator experiments. A simplified formation flight task is carefully analyzed, and a number of interesting phenomena are described