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Louisiana explores immersive technology
Aug 8, 2005
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by GV staff
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When it opens next February, the Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise promises to be one of the largest and most advanced 3D immersive environment facilities in the world. A joint effort of the State of Louisiana, the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, and the University at Lafayette, LITE is an $18 million, 61,000-square-foot complex on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
The university itself will occupy 5,000 square feet of the new facility as part of its plans to enhance its long established advanced computing research efforts. The center, featuring a highly integrated concentration of supercomputer-class servers, interactive 3-D, and other visualization systems, will give start-up Lafayette businesses unprecedented access to technologies that were previously available only to the world’s largest energy, pharmaceutical, and aerospace firms, as well as government agencies and science museums.
"Technology has created a global economy that makes it imperative for new businesses and research facilities to have access to the latest resources in order to compete successfully and on a grand scale," said Gregg Gothreaux, LEDA president. "LITE will feature one of the most comprehensive installations of immersive technologies in the world, enabling users to collaborate and interact in real time with even the most complex computer graphics models."
The facility will be co-named the SGI Center for Innovative Research and Advanced Visualization. LITE will include Silicon Graphics computer, storage, and high speed networking solutions. It will provide multiple immersive environments for as few as one participant up to workgroups of more than 100. Christie will integrate four immersive display systems with the Christie Mirage series of DLP(tm) projectors and a complete fiber optic signal infrastructure. All systems will be remotely monitored from Christie’s Network Operations Center using ChristieNET technology.
Among its offerings will be a 3-D immersive visualization cube that will be designed, manufactured, and installed by Christie. It features a custom six-sided display driven by a 16-processor Silicon Graphics Prism visualization system with six graphics pipes outputting data onto six Christie Mirage S+4K DLP projectors.
Also under development is one of the world’s largest 3-D immersive environments -- a 174-seat auditorium facing a curved, Christie-designed screen that’s powered by three Christie Mirage S+8K DLP projectors using internal ChristieTWIST edge blending and warping technology to create a seamless, 37-foot display. The auditorium will feature a unique motorized system to give users a choice of active or passive stereo projection. A full multimedia environment including surround sound will make the auditorium ideal for large-scale presentations, reviews, and tutorials.
An immersive videoconference room will allow up to 30 people to collaborate with facilities around the world. Dual Christie Mirage S+4K DLP projectors, fed by the Silicon Graphics Prism system, will power it. An active-stereo curved screen display for audiences of up to 20 will feature three Christie Mirage S+4 DLP projectors and be powered by one of the facility’s two Silicon Graphics Prism systems. It will be the first of the center’s four environments to be completed.
A complete fiber optic signal extender network will connect the two SGI Prism systems to the four display environments, enabling a rapid and flexible reconfiguration of the visualization resources to match a variety of customer requirements. LITE administrators plan to deploy its resources through the Louisiana Optical Network Initiative, making it an important resource for businesses and universities throughout North America and around the world.
"LITE combines the latest, most powerful computing and visualization technologies into a seamless immersive environment that promotes innovation and growth among new businesses," explained Dr. Eng Lim Goh, chief technology officer, SGI. "SGI and Christie harnessed the same technology that put rovers on Mars and tapped into new sources of energy throughout the world to provide technology solutions that facilitate innovation and economic development. We are proud to play such an important role in helping Louisiana attract new technology and R&D jobs."
MORE INFO
Christie www.christiedigital.com
SGI www.sgi.com
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