Assessing the Effect of Incompatible Light on Night Vision Goggle Performance

Abstract

Current specifications indicate that cockpit lighting designed for night vision goggle (NVG) operations is compatible with NVGs if it does not degrade NVG-aided visual acuity (VA). This study compared two measures of VA; USAF Tri-Bar Chart and NVG Chart. NVG-aided contrast sensitivity (CS) also was assessed; three CS charts having spatial frequencies (SF) of 3, 6, and 12 cycles/degree (cpd) were developed. VA and CS were measured with either low or high levels of incompatible light present. Results revealed that performance did not differ between the two VA measures. Under low incompatible light, CS was degraded only for the high SF. Under high incompatible light, CS was degraded for all SFs. These results suggest that the choice of VA measure should depend upon evaluation factors (e.g., available time, sample size). CS can be used as an alternative to VA and may provide a more complete index of cockpit lighting compatibility.

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