entity-state-to-records

entity-state-to-records converts decoded OpenDIS Entity State Protocol Data Units (PDUs) into entity-state records. The same downstream nodes then work for DIS traffic and for HEAT capture data.

Entity-state records are the JSON records array that hydrate-protobuf-v2 emits with extractionTarget: EntityState. This node produces that shape from the pdu list that opendis-decode emits. Each EntityStatePdu becomes one record with a world_position component and, when velocity is present, a velocity component. Earth-centred coordinates are converted to latitude, longitude and altitude on the WGS84 ellipsoid.

It is not a decoder. PDUs must already be JSON objects with a __class__ field.

When to use

Use this node when the data source is DIS and the dashboard uses entity-state-to-mapdisplay, entity-state-to-flightpath or entity-state-to-chart-data.

Pipeline position

opendis-decode -> entity-state-to-records -> entity-state-to-mapdisplay
                                          -> entity-state-to-flightpath
                                          -> entity-state-to-chart-data

The node reads the latest output of one parent and uses the first payload only.

Configuration

Configuration is required, but every key is optional.

Output

A JSON object with a records array.

{
  "records": [
    {
      "entity_state": {
        "entity": [
          {
            "name": "ENTITY01",
            "id": "S121A110E7009",
            "components": [
              { "world_position": { "latitude": 42.45, "longitude": 11.80, "altitude": 4692.0 } }
            ]
          }
        ]
      },
      "packet_timestamp_unix_ms": 1780568643000,
      "simulation_time_seconds": 123.456
    }
  ]
}

• The entity name comes from the marking, trying characterString, then character_string, then the characters integer array. When none is present the name falls back to the id string S<site>A<application>E<entity>.
• Both site, application, entity and siteID, applicationID, entityID key styles are accepted in the entity id.
• simulation_time_seconds is present only when baseCapturedAt is set and valid.

Limitations

• Only PDUs whose __class__ is EntityStatePdu are converted. Other PDU types are skipped.
• One parent, first payload of the latest output only, even though the manifest marks the template as accepting multiple inputs.
• The node fails when no valid EntityStatePdu is found.

Related

• opendis-decode produces the pdu list.
• entity-state-to-mapdisplay plots the records on a map.
• entity-state-to-flightpath builds a 3D flight path from the records.

HEAT documentation team. Last updated 2 October 2026.