SBIR-STTR Award

Current simulator cross-cockpit displays offering large field of view, multi-viewer (two or more), collimated displays are expensive and have a number of performance and viewing deficiencies such as irregular geometry, heavy weight, high cost and finally poor vergence and collimation. Some of these problems become apparent in a number of ways such as difficulties in maintenance setup caused by irregularities in the display and color drop off and sometimes even motion sickness and pilot headaches. The optical properties of present day systems work on the assumption that the mirror is perfectly spherical when we know that this is not the case. Working on this erroneous assumption,the shape and size of the back projection screen is calculated. When these two major components ( mirror and back projection screen) are brought together to form the complete optical system the anomalies in the curvature of the mirror become evident in the display by way of edge compression and other visual distortions. Poor system performance can have a detrimental impact on training as is termed negative training as it destroys the illusion that the training provider is attempting to generate by reminding the pilot that it is only pretend.

Benefit:
By accurately measuring and controlling the shape of the mirror we will, for the first time, be able to offer the user A fully optimized system rather than the current approach that relies upon assumptions of mirror accuracy. 2 Back Projection (BP) screen to improve image quality with BPs built to match the capabilities of improved mirror ( see point 1 above) and new technology projectors. It is proposed that a display system be developed that incorporates a new development back projection screen that will be developed with high brightness fixed matrix COTS projectors as its baseline display engine. By providing a back projection screen optimized for these projectors, we propose to demonstrate high brightness and high contrast with minimized losses due to cross illumination and back scatter. 3 Improvements in lens, iris and automatic image warping and color blending to allow the widespread use of low cost projectors to improve image quality and reduce maintenance requirements and therefore costs. With the integration of COTS lens and flexible iris that are now more available through the expansion of the home theater market we intend to show that the standard COTS projectors can be mated to these external enhancements to provide projectors high end anti smearing and superior black level performance, and bring the benefits of COTS projectors to the high end simulation fast jet and NVG users. The desire to develop these facilities as external or add-ons to the COTS projectors will allow the use of a range of projector solutions and also allow an easy technology insertion program in the coming years while ensuring that the removal of a projector from the market place will not require a complete system replacement program. The iris and lens will remain with the simulator and only the projection engine behind the lens and iris need be changed. This approach will have a significant effect in the reduction of initial purchase cost of these displays and also the follow on logistic support costs. 4 Manufacture and installation improvements to reduce costs and lead time. Despite the reduction in the cost of image generators and projectors, the cost of visual systems remains out of reach for many training applications due to the high cost of the optical portion of the visual system. There is a clear need to reduce the cost of building and delivering the collimating mirror and projection screens. The new system must therefore be developed in such as way as to facilitate a flexible installation and delivery approach while increasing the quality and performance of the system.

Keywords:
Collimating, Collimating, mylar, accuracy, geometry, Projector, mirror, screen, Convergence

To develop and deliver a back projection screen and projector mounting assembly that is designed specifically to take advantage of the technological advancements that have taken place in the commercial display marketplace. With the introduction of light weight, very high performance projectors, it has become possible for the first time to take a true COTS projector and install it on a full-motion flight simulator. This major leap in projector performance has not been matched by a corresponding leap in display screen technology, nor a true understanding of the implications of using fixed-matrix projectors. Many integrators simply retrofit legacy analog CRT projectors with fixed-matrix projectors and appear satisfied with the limited performance gains that can be achieved utilizing this method. However, a significant improvement can still be achieved by approaching these updates in an integrated fashion. Utilize a back projection screen that not only complements the performance of new projectors but actually enhances the image quality and couple this improvement with the optimized placement of the fixed-matrix projectors.

Keywords:
Mylar, Mylar, Screen, Accuracy, Collimating, Mirror, Convergence, Projector, Geometry