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Simulation technologies emerge to replace older testing methods
Brevard has significant role in modeling and simulation industry

by Kathy Hagood
Brevard Technical Journal

The modeling, simulation and training industry is expanding throughout the state's high-tech corridor, a 13-county Central Florida region including the Space Coast.

The National Center for Simulation and the University of Central Florida Institute for Simulation and Training are both located within the Metro Orlando area.

While Orlando is the hub for the industry in Florida, Brevard County makes significant contributions to it, said Guy Hagen, president of Innovation Insight, an economic research company based in Wesley Chapel.

Innovation Insight was contracted by the National Center for Simulation to study the industry in Florida. The consulting company's report "Impact of Florida's Modeling, Simulation and Training Industry" released last fall was the result.

"There are a number of companies in Brevard, but the presence of Harris Corp. alone would make Brevard an important player," he said.

Florida Institute of Technology is also an important contributor, both for its faculty research in modeling and simulation and its curriculum for engineering students.

Brevard is home to about 21 modeling, simulation and training and support companies, according to Innovation Insight's research. Those companies include NetLander Inc. in Titusville, RWD Technologies on Merritt Island, EnVision Wireless in West Melbourne and Kadway Designs in Melbourne.

The modeling, simulation and training industry supported more than 540 direct and indirect jobs in Brevard in 2003, Innovation Insight's report said. It provided more than $92 million in annual gross regional product, more than $49 million in direct and indirect sales, and more than $6.4 in annual stay and local tax revenue.

"Modeling, simulation and training continues to grow in Florida and Brevard will be a part of that," Hagen said.

Like other high-tech industries, its companies are often spin-offs or startups that are eventually acquired by the big players. For example, ImageLinks, a satellite image company in Melbourne that supplies the simulation market, was spun off by Melbourne-based Harris Corp. in 1996. Harris recently acquired the company, which now has annual sales of $6 million.

"ImageLinks brings us very specialized expertise in the processing of commercially available imagery and has a great reputation with its customers for product and service excellence," said Bob Henry, corporate senior vice president of Harris and president, Harris Government Communications Systems Division. "Combining the advanced sensor processing tools and the market experience of both companies will enable Harris to provide customers a whole new level of imagery solutions for a broad range of applications."

The Harris division, one of five within the company, serves as the technology base for the company's other divisions. Like other aerospace and defense companies, Harris has come to rely heavily on modeling and simulation. Modeling allows engineers to quickly test and refine designs, saving time and money. Simulation provides an invaluable training tool.

"All the big aerospace and defense companies are deep into modeling and simulation. They couldn't operate their business without it," Hagen said. "For example, when you're going to deliver a big ticket item to the military, you want to provide a means to train the people who are going to use it."

Oftentimes simulation is the only way to create battlefield situations with complex interactions of military forces, communication systems and equipment.

Many other industries in addition to aerospace - including the automotive and medical industries - rely on modeling and simulation as well.

"It's an important tool for engineers in all fields," said Y.I. Sharaf-Eldeen, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Florida Institute of Technology. Sharaf-Eldeen teaches a course in modeling, simulation and design of dynamic systems.

Without modeling, the design of new cars, for example, would be cost prohibitive.

"The old way was trial and error, creating prototypes, testing them and then back to the drawing board," he said. "As an engineer you should have it figured out before you build it." Florida Tech's research and student projects in the area include modeling:

• various ways of stabilizing a skyscraper to brace for earthquakes,
• equipment needed to air condition and heat building of various sizes,
• and techniques for launching from an aircraft carrier.

The industry's techniques and applications continue to evolve and increase in importance in engineering and training. They are also being used ever more often in the entertainment industry for movies, video games and theme-park rides.

"Modeling and simulation is important today, but one day not too long from now it will be ubiquitous," Hagen said.

For more information on the industry, visit The National Center for Simulation at www.simulationinformation.com.