This year – 2024 – marks a significant milestone for the Luciad portfolio – our 25th anniversary! Throughout this journey, we’ve provided cutting-edge geospatial visualization tools that empower users to unlock the true potential of their location-based data. LuciadLightspeed 2024.0 perfectly embodies this commitment, introducing exciting new features designed to address the ever-changing needs of our users.
This release adds another in a long series of updates, improvements and new features to the product, including feature format updates like AML V3/ STANAG 7170 or Asterix Category 34 as well as new features like support for MapBox vector tiles or Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3).
Enhanced radar video support: A world in motion
LuciadLightspeed has long been a leader in real-time radar visualization. Since its initial introduction in version 2014, our software has offered a robust connection to radar video data, including decoders for industry standards like Asterix Category 240. Over the years, we’ve consistently expanded capabilities, allowing for more user control and even custom radar feed integration.
However, the world of radar technology is constantly evolving. We’ve recognized that some modern radar systems utilize variations in angular and radial resolution, exceeding the limitations of our previous approach. This can be particularly relevant in the dynamic environments of aviation and defense.
For example, let’s look at air traffic control. Traditionally, radar systems have assumed a constant rotation speed and resolution for their sweeps. Now, modern radars might employ variable rotation to focus on specific areas of interest or use adaptable resolution to capture details of both near and far-off objects. LuciadLightspeed 2024.0 adapts to these complexities, ensuring an accurate and up-to-date picture of the airspace.
Similarly, in the realm of defence, radar systems are crucial for tracking moving targets. Military operations often involve diverse terrains, requiring adjustments in resolution to effectively monitor ground activity. LuciadLightspeed’s new capabilities allow for a more precise understanding of these rapidly changing, critical environments.
Developer spotlight: Java 17 and security improvements
LuciadLightspeed has always provided a robust and secure development environment. The 2024.0 release reflects this focus by introducing key upgrades in Java support and overall security.
Previously, LuciadLightspeed supported Java version 8, primarily based on user demand. However, as the technological landscape evolves, so do the requirements of various third-party libraries. To ensure compatibility and leverage the latest security advancements, LuciadLightspeed 2024.0 raises the minimum supported Java version to Java 17. This aligns with current industry standards and best practices.
But that’s not all. The update also ensures compatibility with Java 21, providing developers with even greater flexibility in their development environments. This expanded Java support allows developers to use the latest features and security patches, streamlining the development process and creating more robust and secure applications.
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LuciadLightspeed 2024.0 is a powerful update for all users. Explore LuciadLightspeed.
