vsRAD

Real-time SDK displays Radar echoes
vsRAD mimics a radar display with data coming from any synthetic environment or simulation sources. Version 4 embeds real-time RTC and support incrustation layers for Navigation charts (S57), coastlines, Arc/Info, elevations (DTED) with embedded line-of-sight. Real-time data input (acquisition card) can be added on the display using bespoke user-defined drivers (or under consultation).

Written in C for the main engine, it comes with an optional user interface (GUI), a full programmable API, documentations and samples.

Designed to be easy to use and expand, vsRAD is an affordable COTS for simple OpenGL radar display. However, the software does not simulate waves propagation. The result of such analysis must be done by another software, offline or concurrently and displayed inside vsRAD.

The engine can be used standalone or embedded into any GUI: OpenGL/GLUT window, Qt, VAPS or GL-Studio panels, VegaPrime or OpenSceneGraph windows.
It supports LAN or shared-memory remote control.

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vsRAD is a multi-functional, multi-modes, remote-controllable and customizable software used to display radar echoes.

Version 4 brings a lot of improvements over the last builds, from customers requests and feedback: Raw-Data import, speed optimizations, coloring, aspect, Coastline, Arc/Info, S57 charts and terrain incrustations are available for large area radar coverage.

vsRAD can be connected to any real-time application through shared

memory or embedded into a custom-made GUI/HMI using the documented programmable API and Visual Studio compatible libraries.

The product is available as a standalone application as well as an SDK for custom integration. A GUI controller is also provided as a demo and can be replaced by any other.

It provides three different modes (PPI, AR & B). The engine can run in sync with the clock (synchronous) or as fast as the CPU can (asynchronous).


  • White Box – vsRAD is designed, to allow the user to add his own callbacks to almost any drawings, using a published API.
  • C code – vsRAD is written in C for maximum performances.
  • OpenGL – vsRAD uses pure OpenGL and does not rely on shaders.
  • RTC – vsRAD provides an optional real-time kernel to fix the frequency or can run as-fast-as-possible for less flickering effects.
  • Shared-Memory – vsRAD is using a shared-memory segment for data inputs and commands.
  • Connectivity – vsRAD is also a standalone library that can be embedded into a graphical application that supports OpenGL.
  • API – vsRAD comes with a complete and documented API.
  • Expandability – vsRAD provides out of the box PPI, A/R and B modes. Other modes can be added by the user.
Easy Integration with VAPS™, GL-Studio™, OSG™, Qt™, vsTASKER
Operating Systems Windows XP/7/10
Compatibility Visual Studio C++ 2008 / 2010 / 2015
System Requirements Accelerated OpenGL graphic card

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