Simulation Project: Real-Time Control, Multi-Screen Sync, and the Power of Teamwork Under Pressure

In the world of software development, every now and then you encounter a project that pushes you beyond just writing code, one that demands systems thinking, real-time precision, and a level of coordination that mimics mission-critical environments. That’s exactly what the Simulation Project turned out to be. Project Overview The goal was to build a live engine and propulsion control simulation that could: Run across four parallel user screens Reflect every user action across all screens in real-time Include a main instructor module with the power to monitor and control every aspect of the simulation This was more than a simulation, it was a full-fledged training platform that could simulate operational tasks, inject failures, and observe user response under pressure. Core System Features Multi-Screen Synchronization Each of the four screens represented a user’s control panel. If one user adjusted the RPM or changed the load it had to reflect instantly on the other three screens. This required a shared state architecture with backend updates and frontend sync loops that kept everything aligned with sub-second delay. Instructor Control Module The fifth and most powerful screen belonged to the Instructor. This module served as the command center, allowing the instructor to: Start/stop engines and turbines Adjust RPM, load, oil pressure, and more Inject simulated faults Monitor user actions Override user control if needed Keyboard-Driven Operations One of the project’s standout features was the ability to control everything via keyboard shortcuts for example: G + 1 → Start Generator 1 S + 2 → Stop Generator 2 Ctrl + C + ↑ → Increase Load Ctrl + T → Start Turbine This allowed users to operate the system fluidly and quickly exactly like a real-world control room environment. Realistic Meters with Live Fluctuations From engine exhaust temperature to oil pressure and RPM, we implemented a fluctuating meter system that mimicked real-world behavior. These values would update continuously based on API input with smart randomization to simulate engine behavior naturally. The Screen Design Team: Making Complex Systems Intuitive None of this would’ve been possible without the incredible work of the Screen Design Team. They: Created pixel-perfect layouts for each screen Ensured UI consistency across all four user screens and the instructor module Built responsive designs that could adapt to different resolutions Made sure complex data (like fluctuating meters, multiple ports, and warning systems) felt intuitive and clear The Backend Team: The Real-Time Engine Behind the Screens While the frontend stole the spotlight, the real magic happened in the backend. The Backend Team: Built and managed the core API architecture to keep all screens synchronized Handled complex payloads for live engine data, pressure levels, RPM, and more Ensured the instructor module could control every endpoint from a centralized interface Implemented polling mechanisms and are planning WebSocket transitions for even smoother updates The Pressure of a Tight Deadline What made this project even more intense was the tight delivery schedule. We were building something this complex in a matter of days, not weeks. There was no room for delays. Every team member had to: Write clean, testable code from the start Communicate efficiently Solve bugs fast Stay aligned with shifting requirements Teamwork Made It Possible No one person could have pulled this off alone. The Simulation Project was a result of: Frontend engineers crafting fluid interactions Screen designers shaping the user journey Backend devs powering real-time sync And a project lead ensuring everything stayed on track A Light Moment Somewhere in the middle of this high-intensity build, someone casually joked about the name and we all started calling it “Mission Laila” internally. It was our little stress-relief mantra during those endless coffee-fueled sprints. What I Learned Modular architecture saves lives under pressure Instructor override systems are key in real simulations Keyboard-first UX is faster than mouse-based control Real-time sync needs frontend-backend harmony Great UI isn’t a luxury in simulations it’s a necessity What’s Next? If I were to enhance this system further: Shift from polling to WebSockets Add user scoring and logging for evaluation Introduce session playback and error tracking Add immersive sound effects and simulation-based training scripts Integrate hardware components for real-time control using physical input/output systemsUtilize physical input/output systems to incorporate hardware components for real-time control. Make remaining modules like Propulsion and Electric Generator fully functional and interactive Tech Stack Frontend: React.js, TailwindCSS, Toastify Backend

Apr 20, 2025 - 05:33

Simulation Project: Real-Time Control, Multi-Screen Sync, and the Power of Teamwork Under Pressure

In the world of software development, every now and then you encounter a project that pushes you beyond just writing code, one that demands systems thinking, real-time precision, and a level of coordination that mimics mission-critical environments. That’s exactly what the Simulation Project turned out to be.

Project Overview

The goal was to build a live engine and propulsion control simulation that could:

Run across four parallel user screens
Reflect every user action across all screens in real-time
Include a main instructor module with the power to monitor and control every aspect of the simulation

This was more than a simulation, it was a full-fledged training platform that could simulate operational tasks, inject failures, and observe user response under pressure.

Core System Features

Multi-Screen Synchronization

Each of the four screens represented a user’s control panel. If one user adjusted the RPM or changed the load it had to reflect instantly on the other three screens. This required a shared state architecture with backend updates and frontend sync loops that kept everything aligned with sub-second delay.

Instructor Control Module

The fifth and most powerful screen belonged to the Instructor. This module served as the command center, allowing the instructor to:

Start/stop engines and turbines
Adjust RPM, load, oil pressure, and more
Inject simulated faults
Monitor user actions
Override user control if needed

Keyboard-Driven Operations

One of the project’s standout features was the ability to control everything via keyboard shortcuts for example:

G + 1 → Start Generator 1
S + 2 → Stop Generator 2
Ctrl + C + ↑ → Increase Load
Ctrl + T → Start Turbine

This allowed users to operate the system fluidly and quickly exactly like a real-world control room environment.

Realistic Meters with Live Fluctuations

From engine exhaust temperature to oil pressure and RPM, we implemented a fluctuating meter system that mimicked real-world behavior. These values would update continuously based on API input with smart randomization to simulate engine behavior naturally.

The Screen Design Team:

Making Complex Systems Intuitive None of this would’ve been possible without the incredible work of the Screen Design Team. They:

Created pixel-perfect layouts for each screen
Ensured UI consistency across all four user screens and the instructor module
Built responsive designs that could adapt to different resolutions
Made sure complex data (like fluctuating meters, multiple ports, and warning systems) felt intuitive and clear

The Backend Team:

The Real-Time Engine Behind the Screens While the frontend stole the spotlight, the real magic happened in the backend. The Backend Team:

Built and managed the core API architecture to keep all screens synchronized
Handled complex payloads for live engine data, pressure levels, RPM, and more
Ensured the instructor module could control every endpoint from a centralized interface
Implemented polling mechanisms and are planning WebSocket transitions for even smoother updates

The Pressure of a Tight Deadline

What made this project even more intense was the tight delivery schedule. We were building something this complex in a matter of days, not weeks. There was no room for delays. Every team member had to:

Write clean, testable code from the start
Communicate efficiently
Solve bugs fast
Stay aligned with shifting requirements

Teamwork Made It Possible

No one person could have pulled this off alone. The Simulation Project was a result of:

Frontend engineers crafting fluid interactions
Screen designers shaping the user journey
Backend devs powering real-time sync
And a project lead ensuring everything stayed on track

A Light Moment

Somewhere in the middle of this high-intensity build, someone casually joked about the name and we all started calling it “Mission Laila” internally. It was our little stress-relief mantra during those endless coffee-fueled sprints.

What I Learned

Modular architecture saves lives under pressure
Instructor override systems are key in real simulations
Keyboard-first UX is faster than mouse-based control
Real-time sync needs frontend-backend harmony
Great UI isn’t a luxury in simulations it’s a necessity

What’s Next?

If I were to enhance this system further:

Shift from polling to WebSockets
Add user scoring and logging for evaluation
Introduce session playback and error tracking
Add immersive sound effects and simulation-based training scripts
Integrate hardware components for real-time control using physical input/output systemsUtilize physical input/output systems to incorporate hardware components for real-time control.
Make remaining modules like Propulsion and Electric Generator fully functional and interactive

Tech Stack

Frontend: React.js, TailwindCSS, Toastify
Backend: Node.js, REST APIs, Axios (WebSockets planned)
Infra: Electron.js, Modular Component Design
Features: Fluctuation Engine, Keyboard Shortcuts, Multi-Screen Sync, Instructor Override

Final Thoughts

This wasn’t just another simulation. It was a complete system built with:

Precision
Speed
Dedication
and A lot of teamwork

We built something that felt real because it was real. A system that can train, evaluate, and evolve. And I’m proud to have been part of it.