An Investigation of Helmet-Mounted Display Field-of-View and Overlap Tradeoffs

Abstract

NRC researchers investigated the tradeoffs between binocular-overlap and field-of-view in helmet-mounted displays. Four test pilots performed a series of maneuvers in a helicopter while wearing field-of-view (FOV) limiting goggles. They evaluated a monocular FOV, a range of binocular overlaps, and unrestricted vision. Pilots evaluated the system performance and handling qualities using Cooper-Harper Handling Qualities Ratings, visual cue ratings, and subjective comments. The handling qualities of the helicopter/pilot system changed in a non-linear fashion as the binocular overlap increased. Pilot comments, preferences, and visual cue ratings showed the same trends as the handling qualities data. Practical applications of the results are discussed, including helicopter control system augmentation to allow improved performance in degraded visual conditions.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Aeronautical Design Standard, Handling Qualities Requirements for Military Rotorcraft, ADS-33D, U.S. Army Aviation and Troop Command, St. Louis, MO, July 1994.

Baillie

S. W.

Morgan

J. M.

(1997) “Helicopters and Night Vision Goggles: A Synopsis of Current Research on Helicopter Handling Qualities during Flight in Degraded Visual Environments”, AGARD to be published.

Baillie

S. W.

Dion

Jennings

Srinivisan

(1997) An Investigation Of Helmet-Mounted Display Field-Of-View And Overlap Tradeoffs in Rotorcraft Handling Qualities, Presented at the 23rd European Rotorcraft Forum, Dresden, Germany.

Bui

T.H.

Vollmerhausen

R.H.

Tsou

B.H.

(1994), Overlap Binocular Field-Of- View Flight Experiment, Society of Information Displays, SID 94 Digest.

Cooper

G. E.

Harper

R. P.

(April 1969), The Use of Pilot Rating in the Evaluation of Aircraft Handling Qualities, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Technical Note TN D-5153, Washington D.C.

Edgar

G.K.

Carr

K. T.

Williams

Page

Clarke

A. L.

, The Effects upon Visual Performance of Varying Binocular Overlap. AGARD Symposium on Helmet-mounted Displays and Night Vision Goggles. Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, pp 8–1 to 8–15.

Grigsby

S. S.

Tsou

B. H.

, (1994) Visual Processing and Partial-Overlap Head-Mounted Displays, Journal of the SID, 2/2, pp 69–74.

Haworth

Szoboszlay

Kasper

De Maio

Halmos

(1996) In Flight simulation of Visionic Field-of-view Restrictions on Rotorcraft Pilot Workload Performance and Visual Cueing. American Helicopter Society 52nd Annual Forum.

Hoh

R. H.

Baillie

S. W.

Morgan

J. M.

(1987). Flight Investigation of the Tradeoff between Augmentation and Displays for NOE Flight in Low Visibility. Paper presented at the American Helicopter Society National Specialists' Meeting on Flight Controls and Avionics, Cherry Hill, N.J., U.S.A.

10.

Howard

I. P.

Rogers

B. J.

, (1995) Binocular Vision and Stereopsis, Oxford Psychology Series No. 29. Oxford University Press, New York.

11.

Klymenco

Rash

C. E.

May 1995). Human Factors Evaluation of Visual Field-of-view Effects of Partial Binocular Overlap Designs in Helmet-mounted Displays, American Helicopter Society 51st Annual Forum, Fort Worth, 1450–1465.

12.

Klymenko

Verona

R. W.

Beasley

H. H.

Martin

J. S.

(1994) Convergent and Divergent Viewing affect Luning, Visual Thresholds, and Field-of-View Fragmentation in Partial Binocular Overlap Displays, SPIE-The International Society for Optical Engineering, SPIE Vol. 2218, 82–95, Bellingham, Washington.

13.

Kruk

Longbridge

T. M.

(1984) Binocular Overlap in a Fiber Optic Helmet-mounted Display. The Image 3 Conference Proceedings, AFHRL-TR-84-36, Brooks Air Force Base, TX, 363–378.

14.

Melzer

J. E.

Moffit

(1989) Partial Binocular Overlap in Helmet-Mounted Displays SPIE-The International Society for Optical Engineering, SPIE Vol. 1117, Display System Optics II, pp 56–62.

15.

Swail

Gubbels

A. W.

Jennings

(1997) Helmet-Mounted Display Activity on the NRC Bell 205 Airborne Simulator. SPIE-The International Society for Optical Engineering, SPIE Vol. 3058, Bellingham, Washington.