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Module AI.AI_A2A_Patrol

AI - Models the process of air patrol of airplanes.


Author: FlightControl


Global(s)

Global AI_A2A_PATROL

Implements the core functions to patrol a Core.Zone by an AI Wrapper.Group or Wrapper.Group.

#AI_A2A_PATROL AI_A2A_PATROL

Implements the core functions to patrol a Core.Zone by an AI Wrapper.Group or Wrapper.Group.

Process

The AI_A2A_PATROL is assigned a Wrapper.Group and this must be done before the AI_A2A_PATROL process can be started using the Start event.

Process

The AI will fly towards the random 3D point within the patrol zone, using a random speed within the given altitude and speed limits. Upon arrival at the 3D point, a new random 3D point will be selected within the patrol zone using the given limits.

Process

This cycle will continue.

Process

During the patrol, the AI will detect enemy targets, which are reported through the Detected event.

Process

-- Note that the enemy is not engaged! To model enemy engagement, either tailor the Detected event, or use derived AI_ classes to model AI offensive or defensive behaviour.

Process

Until a fuel or damage threshold has been reached by the AI, or when the AI is commanded to RTB. When the fuel threshold has been reached, the airplane will fly towards the nearest friendly airbase and will land.

Process

1. AI_A2A_PATROL constructor

2. AI_A2A_PATROL is a FSM

Process

2.1. AI_A2A_PATROL States

  • None ( Group ): The process is not started yet.
  • Patrolling ( Group ): The AI is patrolling the Patrol Zone.
  • Returning ( Group ): The AI is returning to Base.
  • Stopped ( Group ): The process is stopped.
  • Crashed ( Group ): The AI has crashed or is dead.

2.2. AI_A2A_PATROL Events

  • Start ( Group ): Start the process.
  • Stop ( Group ): Stop the process.
  • Route ( Group ): Route the AI to a new random 3D point within the Patrol Zone.
  • RTB ( Group ): Route the AI to the home base.
  • Detect ( Group ): The AI is detecting targets.
  • Detected ( Group ): The AI has detected new targets.
  • Status ( Group ): The AI is checking status (fuel and damage). When the thresholds have been reached, the AI will RTB.

3. Set or Get the AI controllable

4. Set the Speed and Altitude boundaries of the AI controllable

5. Manage the detection process of the AI controllable

The detection process of the AI controllable can be manipulated. Detection requires an amount of CPU power, which has an impact on your mission performance. Only put detection on when absolutely necessary, and the frequency of the detection can also be set.

The detection frequency can be set with AI_A2A_PATROL.SetRefreshTimeInterval( seconds ), where the amount of seconds specify how much seconds will be waited before the next detection. Use the method AI_A2A_PATROL.GetDetectedUnits() to obtain a list of the Wrapper.Units detected by the AI.

The detection can be filtered to potential targets in a specific zone. Use the method AI_A2A_PATROL.SetDetectionZone() to set the zone where targets need to be detected. Note that when the zone is too far away, or the AI is not heading towards the zone, or the AI is too high, no targets may be detected according the weather conditions.

6. Manage the "out of fuel" in the AI_A2A_PATROL

When the AI is out of fuel, it is required that a new AI is started, before the old AI can return to the home base. Therefore, with a parameter and a calculation of the distance to the home base, the fuel threshold is calculated. When the fuel threshold is reached, the AI will continue for a given time its patrol task in orbit, while a new AI is targeted to the AI_A2A_PATROL. Once the time is finished, the old AI will return to the base. Use the method AI_A2A_PATROL.ManageFuel() to have this proces in place.

7. Manage "damage" behaviour of the AI in the AI_A2A_PATROL

When the AI is damaged, it is required that a new Patrol is started. However, damage cannon be foreseen early on. Therefore, when the damage threshold is reached, the AI will return immediately to the home base (RTB). Use the method AI_A2A_PATROL.ManageDamage() to have this proces in place.

Developer Note

Note while this class still works, it is no longer supported as the original author stopped active development of MOOSE Therefore, this class is considered to be deprecated


Type(s)

Fields and Methods inherited from AI_A2A_PATROL Description

AI_A2A_PATROL:New(AIPatrol, PatrolZone, PatrolFloorAltitude, PatrolCeilingAltitude, PatrolMinSpeed, PatrolMaxSpeed, PatrolAltType)

Creates a new AI_A2A_PATROL object

AI_A2A_PATROL:OnAfterPatrol(AIPatrol, From, Event, To)

OnAfter Transition Handler for Event Patrol.

AI_A2A_PATROL:OnAfterRoute(AIPatrol, From, Event, To)

OnAfter Transition Handler for Event Route.

AI_A2A_PATROL:OnBeforePatrol(AIPatrol, From, Event, To)

OnBefore Transition Handler for Event Patrol.

AI_A2A_PATROL:OnBeforeRoute(AIPatrol, From, Event, To)

OnBefore Transition Handler for Event Route.

AI_A2A_PATROL:OnEnterPatrolling(AIPatrol, From, Event, To)

OnEnter Transition Handler for State Patrolling.

AI_A2A_PATROL:OnLeavePatrolling(AIPatrol, From, Event, To)

OnLeave Transition Handler for State Patrolling.

AI_A2A_PATROL:Patrol()

Synchronous Event Trigger for Event Patrol.

AI_A2A_PATROL.PatrolAltType

AI_A2A_PATROL.PatrolCeilingAltitude

AI_A2A_PATROL.PatrolFloorAltitude

AI_A2A_PATROL.PatrolMaxSpeed

AI_A2A_PATROL.PatrolMinSpeed

AI_A2A_PATROL.PatrolRoute(AIPatrol, Fsm)

This static method is called from the route path within the last task at the last waypoint of the AIPatrol.

AI_A2A_PATROL.PatrolZone

AI_A2A_PATROL:Route()

Synchronous Event Trigger for Event Route.

AI_A2A_PATROL:SetAltitude(PatrolFloorAltitude, PatrolCeilingAltitude)

Sets the floor and ceiling altitude of the patrol.

AI_A2A_PATROL:SetSpeed(PatrolMinSpeed, PatrolMaxSpeed)

Sets (modifies) the minimum and maximum speed of the patrol.

AI_A2A_PATROL:__Patrol(Delay)

Asynchronous Event Trigger for Event Patrol.

AI_A2A_PATROL:__Route(Delay)

Asynchronous Event Trigger for Event Route.

AI_A2A_PATROL:onafterPatrol(AIPatrol, From, Event, To)

Defines a new patrol route using the AI.AI_Patrol#AI_PATROL_ZONE parameters and settings.

AI_A2A_PATROL:onafterRoute(AIPatrol, From, Event, To)

Defines a new patrol route using the AI.AI_Patrol#AI_PATROL_ZONE parameters and settings.

Field(s)

Function(s)

Creates a new AI_A2A_PATROL object

Defined in:

AI_A2A_PATROL

Parameters:

The patrol group object.

Core.Zone#ZONE_BASE PatrolZone

The Core.Zone where the patrol needs to be executed.

DCS#Altitude PatrolFloorAltitude

The lowest altitude in meters where to execute the patrol.

DCS#Altitude PatrolCeilingAltitude

The highest altitude in meters where to execute the patrol.

DCS#Speed PatrolMinSpeed

The minimum speed of the Wrapper.Group in km/h.

DCS#Speed PatrolMaxSpeed

The maximum speed of the Wrapper.Group in km/h.

DCS#AltitudeType PatrolAltType

The altitude type ("RADIO"=="AGL", "BARO"=="ASL"). Defaults to BARO

Return value:

Usage:

-- Define a new AI_A2A_PATROL Object. This PatrolArea will patrol a Group within PatrolZone between 3000 and 6000 meters, with a variying speed between 600 and 900 km/h.
PatrolZone = ZONE:New( 'PatrolZone' )
PatrolSpawn = SPAWN:New( 'Patrol Group' )
PatrolArea = AI_A2A_PATROL:New( PatrolZone, 3000, 6000, 600, 900 )

OnAfter Transition Handler for Event Patrol.

Defined in:

AI_A2A_PATROL

Parameters:

The Group Object managed by the FSM.

#string From

The From State string.

#string Event

The Event string.

#string To

The To State string.

OnAfter Transition Handler for Event Route.

Defined in:

AI_A2A_PATROL

Parameters:

The Group Object managed by the FSM.

#string From

The From State string.

#string Event

The Event string.

#string To

The To State string.

OnBefore Transition Handler for Event Patrol.

Defined in:

AI_A2A_PATROL

Parameters:

The Group Object managed by the FSM.

#string From

The From State string.

#string Event

The Event string.

#string To

The To State string.

Return value:

#boolean:

Return false to cancel Transition.

OnBefore Transition Handler for Event Route.

Defined in:

AI_A2A_PATROL

Parameters:

The Group Object managed by the FSM.

#string From

The From State string.

#string Event

The Event string.

#string To

The To State string.

Return value:

#boolean:

Return false to cancel Transition.

OnEnter Transition Handler for State Patrolling.

Defined in:

AI_A2A_PATROL

Parameters:

The Group Object managed by the FSM.

#string From

The From State string.

#string Event

The Event string.

#string To

The To State string.

OnLeave Transition Handler for State Patrolling.

Defined in:

AI_A2A_PATROL

Parameters:

The Group Object managed by the FSM.

#string From

The From State string.

#string Event

The Event string.

#string To

The To State string.

Return value:

#boolean:

Return false to cancel Transition.

Synchronous Event Trigger for Event Patrol.

Defined in:

AI_A2A_PATROL

This static method is called from the route path within the last task at the last waypoint of the AIPatrol.

Note that this method is required, as triggers the next route when patrolling for the AIPatrol.

Defined in:

AI_A2A_PATROL

Parameters:

The AI group.

The FSM.

Synchronous Event Trigger for Event Route.

Defined in:

AI_A2A_PATROL

Sets the floor and ceiling altitude of the patrol.

Defined in:

AI_A2A_PATROL

Parameters:

DCS#Altitude PatrolFloorAltitude

The lowest altitude in meters where to execute the patrol.

DCS#Altitude PatrolCeilingAltitude

The highest altitude in meters where to execute the patrol.

Return value:

Sets (modifies) the minimum and maximum speed of the patrol.

Defined in:

AI_A2A_PATROL

Parameters:

DCS#Speed PatrolMinSpeed

The minimum speed of the Wrapper.Group in km/h.

DCS#Speed PatrolMaxSpeed

The maximum speed of the Wrapper.Group in km/h.

Return value:

Asynchronous Event Trigger for Event Patrol.

Defined in:

AI_A2A_PATROL

Parameter:

#number Delay

The delay in seconds.

Asynchronous Event Trigger for Event Route.

Defined in:

AI_A2A_PATROL

Parameter:

#number Delay

The delay in seconds.

Defines a new patrol route using the AI.AI_Patrol#AI_PATROL_ZONE parameters and settings.

Defined in:

AI_A2A_PATROL

Parameters:

The Group Object managed by the FSM.

#string From

The From State string.

#string Event

The Event string.

#string To

The To State string.

Return value:

Defines a new patrol route using the AI.AI_Patrol#AI_PATROL_ZONE parameters and settings.

Defined in:

AI_A2A_PATROL

Parameters:

The Group managed by the FSM.

#string From

The From State string.

#string Event

The Event string.

#string To

The To State string.