With the emergence of helmet-mounted display (HMD) technologies, unlimited numbers of new flight symbols and symbol behaviors become possible. Rapid, insightful evaluation of these many potential capabilities is imperative. Because flight tests are risky, time-consuming, and expensive, simulators must be employed for the majority of these studies. Unfortunately, existing research simulators often are extremely expensive to construct and operate, dependent upon a team of technical support personnel, time-consuming to reprogram, not portable, and in such demand that it is impossible for most researchers to access them. This paper describes a powerful, but inexpensive, flight simulator specifically developed in response to these shortcomings, providing many of the features of simulators costing hundreds of times as much. The pilot-rotorcraft intelligent symbology management simulator (PRISMS) is easy to operate and is portable for use in a variety of on-site research, demonstration, and training applications. PRISMS includes an immersive, head- tracked HMD, with symbology in screen-, aircraft-and earth- fixed frames of reference, overlaying realistic terrain adapted from the SouthWestern USA database. The system includes cyclic, collective, and rudder pedal flight controls, a helicopter flight model, voice recognition and synthesis, 3D sound generation, user-definable symbol appearance and behavior, and full data recording capabilities.

The US Air Force Research Laboratory is developing color HMD technology to enhance information conveyance to the pilot. One essential component of this technology is an understanding of the best ways to use color. We describe two opposing color-coding strategies and explain how we applied them to the weapons functionality of a pre-existing, monochrome HMD symbol set. We then report fighter pilots' evaluations of the color codes after the pilots tested them while flying a realistic air-to-air scenario in a simulator. Overall, the pilots preferred the color-coded symbology to the monochrome baseline. Furthermore, and perhaps surprisingly, a 'red means shoot' color-coding strategy was preferred overwhelmingly to a 'green means go' strategy. These results, their interpretation, and our future research directions are discussed.

The use of a helmet mounted display system in a fixed-wing fighter will, without no doubt, increase the capabilities of that aircraft. Basic requirement of a helmet system could be fulfilled with a simple austere Helmet Mounted Sight. With new, more advanced, Helmet Mounted Displays that have greater possibilities to display a wide variety of information great emphasis must be made on the analysis of that information. The question of what kind of information that should be displayed in a HMD is certainly not a trivial one. This paper discusses a novel approach of trying to compress a lot of information into few symbols. The goal is to have a decluttered HMD and yet give the pilot superior situation awareness.

An obstacle warning system (OWS) based on a laser-scanning technology has been installed and flight tested on a BK117 Helicopter. An assessment was done in a low level flight test are Nap of the Earth and under real conditions in a normal landscape. The field of view (FOV) of the OWS is 32 degrees and the image has the following resolution: 200 lines and 96 samples. The image refreshing rate is 2 Hz. The OWS front end with sensories and processing is working satisfactory. The major field of investigation is now the Man Machine Interface (MMI). Laser transmitter wavelength is 1.54 micrometers for eye-safety. The obstacle-information must be presented with no additional workload to the pilot in real time. The OWS-data were used in a simulation laboratory and presented to a binocular Helmet Mounted Sight/Display (HMS/D) with different kinds of presentation formats: line of safety, a grid-model, a tunnel-vector-presentation, real 3D-presentation and black and white and colored information. A silicon graphics calculates the independent eye information by 2 by 30 Hz by 3 colors and presents the stereoscopic video to the FS5 helmet made by Virtual Research. It has two colored Cathode Ray Tubes with 480 by 640 pixels. The results with several test persons are discussed in the paper.

Head mounted displays (HMDs) have disappointed real world users in their inability to live up to over-hyped expectations. This does not, however, mean that HMDs are useless. While still technologically lacking in some areas, appropriately designed HMDs can be extremely useful tools. We will look at the limitations of current HMDs and ways around them. Rather than approach the problem from the optical, electrical and mechanical engineer's point of view, we will approach it from the physiology point of view, answering the question; what is needed to create a useful HMD. The paper is divided into two separate sections. The first, is a description of the performance of the human visual system. The second, addresses how designers attempt to mimic the human visual system in an HMD. This second section will discuss applications that need the specific performance described in section one, current solutions to those needs and finally ideal solutions not yet implemented. Finally, a summary of these findings is presented in a table format.

This paper presents the results of a comparative study on the target acquisition performance of an eye-slaved helmet display system and unaided human vision. A teleoperated visual sensor system records the visual information that the human visual system can sense at a remote site, transmits the information to a remote operator, and reconstructs the information in real time on an eye-slaved helmet display system. The display system design is based on the following: the physiology of the eye shows that the density of cone cells responsible for scotopic vision reduces drastically with off-coresight angle, as well as the corresponding resolution. The human visual system can be adequately stimulated over a 60 degree field of view with only two video channels, a wide field of view for peripheral vision and a narrow field of view for foveal vision. The wide-field and narrow-field information can be displayed into separate eyes with the human brain doing the integration between the two pictures. This paper provides experimental proof of this hypothesis. The narrow field display can be made to track the human eyeball during target acquisition tasks, without unduly distracting natural vision. During target search tasks the human eye movement exhibits rapid saccadic movements after which it fixates on some feature on the picture. During and for a small time after the saccadic movement,the neural activity of the eye is inhibited. This inhabitation period can be used by a machine to track the eyeball and to slave the picture to the eyeball through a set of mirrors, without injecting conflicting information to the human visual system during the saccade. An eye-slaved helmet display system was built with a simulated monochrome target scenario. The final experiment evaluates the target acquisition performance of a number of subjects with both the eye-slaved helmet display system and direct vision on the same pre-recorded scenario. The experimental design used two different target contrast, four target ranges and four positions. Two control experiments were also done, one in which the same scenario was printed on a viewing board and a set of target acquisition experiments done with unaided vision, and the other where a joystick controlled sight was simulated with a terminal display system. The eye slaved display result is better than the terminal display result, and not far off from the direct vision test results. It was found that test subjects had to be free of strabismus and monoscopic fixation, for the eye-slaved helmet display system to work. We conclude that an eye-slaved display system design is the key technology for remote controlled sighting systems with similar capabilities to unaided human vision.

An experiment was performed to determine if the geometrical arrangement of sensors delivering images from the environment, could influence distance perception is a binocular helmet-mounted display (HMD). A pair of cameras were settled in the front part of a PUMA helicopter. Video tapes were recorded during low altitude flights. Six camera settings were tested resulting from 3 magnitudes of the separation between the sensors, and 2 arrangements of the optical axes of the cameras: parallel or convergent. Displaying the image of a single camera on both optics of the HMD provided an additional condition which served as a reference free of binocular depth cue. The video tapes were displayed on a 40 degree full overlap HMD. Eleven helicopter pilots ran the experiment. Objective comparison of the sensor configurations was based on distance or height estimation following a bi-section paradigm. As a subjective comparison, the pilots classified the sensor configurations according to the quality of 3D perception of the environment. Objective data show that flight safety is increased when the separation between the senor is larger in both convergent and parallel settings. Subjectively, the pilots preferred the wide separation and convergent setting of the cameras.

Current military helmet-mounted display development includes systems for fixed wing aircraft pilots, rotary wing aircraft pilots, ground vehicle crew members, and dismounted warriors. Key programs, each having very distinct requirements, are underway at Honeywell that will provide integrated headgear systems for each of these applications. This paper presents an overview of parameters common to all helmet mounted displays, a summary of requirements unique to each user/platform, a description of the major design issues being addressed, and an outline of some new techniques now being applied to integrated headgear systems.

In the simulator experiment reported here we examined several parameters influencing the performance of the operator of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). This operator was fitted with an HMD which showed images from the camera onboard of the UAV. The camera was slaved to the operator's head so that the camera movements mimicked the head movements. We examined steering performance for two HMD types: the low-end, LCD-based Virtual IO i-glasses, and the high-end, CRT-based n-vision datavisor. Additional parameters were the presence of vehicle references in the images as an indication of camera orientation and the presence of stereo and hyper-stereo. Performance with the n- vision HMD was considerably better than with the i-glasses HMD, a difference which could not be attributed solely to the difference in field-of-view. The presence of vehicle references led to a modest improvement in performance. Stereo and hyper-stereo did not improve performance for this particular task.

With the advancement of high off bore-sight missiles helmet mounted displays (HMD) now play an important part in air-to- air tactics. Many options are available to the design of the helmet mounted display that impact performance cost and schedule. Choosing the correct combinations of design parameters is critical to a successful HMD design program.

The head-mounted display (HMD) presents flight, navigation, and weapon information in the pilot's line-of-sight. The hMD was developed to allow the pilot to retain aircraft and weapon information while looking off-boresight. Recent work has produced an HMD design guide and a draft Aeronautical Design Standard to provide guidance for the development and testing of HMD designs for rotorcraft applications. Several key issues have been identified: display coordinates, data latency, field-of-view, and image resolution. ADS-46 will outline the display design process in terms of the documents required to be prepared for several program mile-stones, including the operational requirements document, the mission analysis and information requirements report, and crew station design document, and the test and evaluation master plan. The major shortcoming in existing display standards and specification is the absence of objective performance criteria. This has led to an over-reliance on subjective opinion-based testing. The proposed ADS-46 will require the development of objective, mission-based performance objectives and test to ensure that these objectives are met. Several new tests are included: an aggressive visual tracking task to identify deficiencies in display latency; a spatial awareness test; a geographic awareness test; and a subjective performance assessment test.

Current Air Force aircraft, such as the F-15 and F-16, and future aircraft, have a need to leverage improving technologies such as helmet-mounted trackers and displays (HMT/Ds) to maintain superior air combat capability in future conflicts. HMT/Ds can allow the pilot to point weapons and to quickly slew sensors at short visual range targets in either an air-to-air or air-to-ground environment. Flight and weapons parameters commonly displayed on ahead-up display can be provided on HMT/Ds, allowing the pilot to remain 'head out' of the cockpit for longer time periods while maintaining better situational awareness. If the hMT/D systems are designed and then tested early, the result can then be used to transfer technology, and reduce risk, for follow-on programs such as the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System.

The Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) program will provide capability to cue high off-boresight (HOBS) weapons to the operator's line of sight and to confirm weapon sensor LOS for the US Air Force and US Navy (USN) aircrew. This capability will ensure the USAF and USN pilots a first shot opportunity. The JHMCS incorporates an ejection-compatible helmet-mounted display system that will be installed on F- 15, F-16, F/A-18, and F-22 aircraft. The JHMCS includes a flight helmet with display optics, miniature cathode ray tube, magnetic receiver unit, miniature camera, automatic brightness control sensor, and microcontroller. The flight helmet for JHMCS is based on the new lightweight HGU-55A/P. This paper describes the requirements for the helmet qualification tests including: windblast, ejection tower, hanging harness, centrifuge, mass properties, energy attenuation and penetration resistance, noise attenuation, visor characteristics, compatibility demonstration, sled/in- flight ejection, water survival, standard conditions and environment. The test objective, success criteria, equipment configuration, and data collection requirements for each test is discussed.

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC), in conjunction with the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND), is investigating the use of helmet-mounted displays (HMD) to improve pilot situational awareness in all-weather search and rescue helicopter operations. The National Research Council has installed a visually coupled HMD system in the NRC Bell 205 Airborne Simulator. Equipped with a full authority fly-by-wire control system, the Bell 205 has variable stability characteristics, which makes the airborne simulator the ideal platform for the integrated flight testing of HMDs in a simulated operational environment. This paper presents preliminary results from flight test of the NRC HMD. These results are in the form of numerical head tracker data, and subjective handling qualities ratings. Flight test results showed that the HMD degraded handling qualities due to reduced acuity, limited field-of-view, time delays in the sensor platform, and fatigue caused by excessive helmet inertia. Some evidence was found to support the hypothesis of an opto-kinetic cervical reflex whereby a pilot pitches and rolls his head in response to aircraft movements to maintain a level horizon in their field-of- view.

The need for night vision system in military helicopter has been recognized for many years now. Besides fixed FLIR and night vision goggles, helmet-mounted systems coupled with head-slaved IR sensor have been introduced during the last decade in modern attack helicopters. Monocular HMDs have been fielded on the AH-64 and used in operation. Human factors aspects pertaining to such night vision devices has been extensively reviewed and published. Though, full scale flight tests of binocular HMDs with integrated I² and head coupled IR sensors have rarely been reported. A binocular helmet, with a 40 degree full overlap FOV has been developed under a contract of the French DGA. Two image intensifiers tubes located on each side of the head are integrated on the helmet, which also has full raster and stroke capacity. Both images are projected on the visor of the helmet and collimated to infinity. IR sensor imagery and navigation system are coupled to the helmet using an electro-magnetic head-tracker. Test flight of the helmet have been conducted by the French Flight Test Center on specially equipped Puma test-bed aircraft. Approximately 150 flight hours have been devoted to testing of the helmet, either with I² and IR sensors.

Wright Laboratory's Variable-Stability In-Flight Simulator Test Aircraft (VISTA) NF-16D is the newest in-flight simulator in the USAF inventory. This unique research aircraft will perform a multitude of missions: evaluate flight characteristics of new aircraft that have not yet flown, perform research in the areas of flying qualities, flight control design, pilot-vehicle interface, weapons and avionics integration, and train test pilots and engineers. The VISTA is being upgraded to enhance its simulation fidelity and its research capabilities through the addition of a programmable Helmet-Mounted Display (HMD) and Head-up Display (HUD) in the front cockpit. The programmable HMD system consists of a GEC Marconi Avionics Viper II Helmet- Mounted Optics Module integrate with a modified Helmet Integrated Systems Limited HGU-86/P helmet, the Honeywell Advanced Metal Tolerant tracker, and a GEC-Marconi Avionics Programmable Display Generator. The monocular HMD system is designed for growth to stroke-on-video, binocular capability. Lessons-learned in the VISTA HMD development are reviewed. An outline of the proposed VISTA HMD demonstration flight is given to highlight the VISTA programmable display system capabilities.

The design and evaluation of display symbology for Helmet Mounted Displays (HMD), also known as Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (HMCS), for fast jets is not a well established process. Yet a growing data base and the accumulating experience in design and evaluation of display symbology supply some of the fundamental tools that are required for the creation of such a process. Vision System International (VSI), through it's member companies, Kaiser Electronics and Elbit Systems Ltd. Has such experience gained in lab tests and development, studies, simulator evaluations, demonstration programs, flight tests, and operational experience. This paper describes some of the major considerations, guidelines and rules of thumb for the design and evaluation of display symbology for HMCS. While some display symbology issues are controversial, many display characteristics and considerations have been found to be commonly accepted by pilots around the world. This paper presents some of these characteristics and considerations, including: HMCS and HUD symbology compatibility, digital versus analog display formats, preferred display orientation, approaches for combined HMCS-HUD blanking, and personalized HMCS display formats. Keywords: Helmet Mounted Cueing System (HMCS), Helmet Mounted Displays (HMD), Head Up Display (HUD, symbology, display

The increasing costs of wide field-of-view visual display systems are forcing simulation facilities to investigate cheaper alternatives. One such alternative is the use of color Helmet-Mounted Displays (HMD). These relatively low cost systems provide an essentially unlimited field-of- regard, possess a fairly large binocular field-of-view, and require only two channels of computer generated imagery. A study was recently conducted at the Air Force Research Laboratory in support of the Aeronautical Systems Center's Training Systems Product Group to assess the ability of this class of HMD to provide an acceptable level of training for various mission tasks. Many operational and implementation issues were addressed during the process of developing the simulation environment. These include simulation and mission scenario software development, HMD/head-tracker integration, HMD/image-generator video interfacing, cockpit occultation mechanization, and the measurement of and compensation for system latency. This paper will focus on these issues as well as present the 'lessons learned' during the course of the study. The actual result of the evaluation will be presented in a separate technical report currently being prepared by the training systems product group.

The technology to build highly integrated 3D computational image sensors by stacking and interconnecting layers of 2D silicon ICs is being developed. Unlike multi-chip module packaging, in which interconnect lines are brought to the periphery of a chip stack to achieve vertical integration, this new technology allows virtually unrestricted placement of vertical vias within the interior of the chip. The goal of this development is to enable high sped, high resolution image processing in compact low power wearable systems that would be coupled with a head-mounted display. Potential applications for these systems include target tracking and image stabilization. In this talk we focus on the architecture of the 3D image sensor, which includes pixel- parallel analog-to-digital conversion and programmable digital processors for pixel and block operations. We show that 3D technology will allow at least an order of magnitude decrease in power dissipation over an equivalent 2D implementation of the architecture.

The successful integration of technology and human factors meets its ultimate challenge in the area of military performance. Nowhere are the stakes so high and the competition so rigorous as in the arena of combat. This paper documents the attempt to define, develop, and test a 'standardized' interface for helmet-mounted tracker and displays as these systems begin to phase into the military inventory as standard equipment for USAF and USN fighter aircraft. The design that has been evolved is based upon active use and refinement in an environment that is as close to combat conditions, as resources permit. Many of the design ideas and lessons-learned covered in this paper came either directly or indirectly from pilots and support personnel of the USAF 422 Test and Evaluation Squadron located at Nellis AFB, NV.

Current HMD applications are hampered by the limitations of head-tracking technologies now in use. Commercially available magnetic, optical, acoustic, and mechanical head- trackers suffer form various problems such as vulnerability to interference, line-of-sight restrictions, jitter, latency, small range, and high cost. This paper presents inertial-sensor-based hybrid tracking technology that was developed to combat all these problems. Two commercially available products, the IS-300 and the IS-600, are described, both based on the same miniature triaxial inertial sensor device. The IS-300 is a sourceless 3-DOF orientation tracker, using gravimetric tilt-sensing to prevent any gyroscopic drift in pitch and roll, and optical geo-magnetic compassing to prevent any gyroscopic drift in yaw. The IS-600 is a hybrid acousto-inertial 6-DOF position and orientation tracking system. It tracks changes in orientation and position by integrating the outputs of its gyros and accelerometers, and corrects drift using a room- referenced ultrasonic time-of-flight range measuring system. The is paper overviews the theory of operation of both systems, and reports bench-testing results designed to evaluate the resolution, accuracy, and latency of each system.

Current and planned helmet system require precision metrology technique in order to provide accurate pointing information with low latency times. Existing systems using magnetic sensors to determined helmet position and orientation can provide adequate information to meet most requirements, however, the amount of time required for mapping the magnetic field within an aircraft cockpit is often seen to be excessive. While highly accurate optical based metrology systems can be designed to overcome the time consuming cockpit mapping problem, they have also been criticized as being overly complex and unsuitable for aircraft use. Visidyne, Inc. has developed an optical system that uses a proprietary measurement technique to measure the phase of low power, eyesafe, intensity modulated light beams, which, when properly installed within the cockpit can measure the x, y, z position and roll, pitch, yaw of the helmet, providing pointing precision that is within 1 milliradian, at an update rate of at least 100 Hz over a large motion box. The technique uses state-of-the-art electronics and optics that are both robust and reliable and add minimally to the helmet mass. This paper describes two approaches for applying this technology to the helmet tracking problem, each using precise measurements of distance between points on the helmet and known locations within the cockpit.

The use of Helmet-Mounted Trackers and Displays (HMT/Ds) is becoming widespread for air-to-air, within visual range target acquisition; however these systems have physiological limitations. The Air Force Research Laboratory Helmet- Mounted Sensory Technologies (HMST) program is currently studying the use of eye trackers to cue High Off Boresight Angle missiles. The development and implementation of an eye tracker can eliminate the problems of limited head motion under high gravitational forces. This paper will discuss some of the HMST requirements needed to perform eye tracking for air-to-air targeting to complement HMT/Ds performance. This paper will also include a review of the different approaches being studied to meet those requirements.

In 1997, the Boeing Company, working with DARPA under the Smart Modules program and the US Army Soldier Systems Command, embarked on an advanced research and development program to develop a wearable computer system tailored for use with soldiers of the US Special Operations Command. The 'special operations combat management system' is a rugged advanced wearable tactical computer, designed to provide the special operations soldier with enhanced situation awareness and battlefield information capabilities. Many issues must be considered during the design of wearable computers for a combat soldier, including the system weight, placement on the body with respect to other equipment, user interfaces and display system characteristics. During the initial feasibility study for the system, the operational environment was examined and potential users were interviewed to establish the proper display solution for the system. Many display system requirements resulted, such as head or helmet mounting, Night Vision Goggle compatibility, minimal visible light emissions, environmental performance and even the need for handheld or other 'off the head' type display systems. This paper will address these issues and other end user requirements for display systems for applications in the harsh and demanding environment of the Special Operations soldier.

The combat cueing (CBT-Q) research effort will develop and demonstrate a portable tactical information system that will enhance the effectiveness of small unit military operations by providing real-time target cueing information to individual warfighters and teams. CBT-Q consists of a network of portable radio frequency (RF) 'modules' and is controlled by a body-worn 'user station' utilizing a head mounted display . On the battlefield, CBT-Q modules will detect an enemy transmitter and instantly provide the warfighter with an emitter's location. During the 'fog of battle', CBT-Q would tell the warfighter, 'Look here, right now individuals into the RF spectrum, resulting in faster target engagement times, increased survivability, and reduce the potential for fratricide. CBT-Q technology can support both mounted and dismounted tactical forces involved in land, sea and air warfighting operations. The CBT-Q system combines robust geolocation and signal sorting algorithms with hardware and software modularity to offer maximum utility to the warfighter. A single CBT-Q module can provide threat RF detection. Three networked CBT-Q modules can provide emitter positions using a time difference of arrival (TDOA) technique. The TDOA approach relies on timing and positioning data derived from a global positioning systems. The information will be displayed on a variety of displays, including a flat-panel head mounted display. The end results of the program will be the demonstration of the system with US Army Scouts in an operational environment.

The TIGER helicopter is under development by the MODs of France and Germany for their armies. The initial German requirement was for anti-tank missions only. This task has been extended to support missions which resulted in an upgrade to the German 'UH-TIGER' variant. German MOD is planning to procure 212 UH-TIGER helicopters armed with TRIGAT-, HOT anti-tank missiles, STINGER air-to-air missiles, 68 mm rockets and a gun pod with a 12.7 mm gun.

The Integrated Maintenance and Logistics Soldier System advanced mobile information system for vehicle and weapon system integrated maintenance and logistics will expedite the successful completion of military mission objectives through enhanced situation awareness and reduced mean-time- to-repair for the Force XXI Army.

The requirements on Helmet Mounted Displays regarding display media has historically been focused on brightness. The CRT has been the only technology available to fulfil that requirements. Today we see a number of new technologies where the brightness is not the major issue. But even when we find a display media that can handle sunshine on white clouds we still have other requirements that need to be managed. This paper will discuss some additional requirements and how new display media manage these requirements.

A 2100 line-per-inch, active matrix liquid crystal display technology has been developed. Functional displays were produced and demonstrated with contrast ratios of up to 50:1. The achievement of a 12 micrometers pixel pitch results in only a 1.5 inch diagonal for the 2560 by 2048 pixel array of 5.24 million pixels. Display drive electronics integrated into the periphery areas around the pixel array include row addressing, column select/video data loading, and clock circuits. External electronics requirements are reduced and the display connector contains only video, clock and power lines. The active matrix TFT's and peripheral circuits contain over 5.3 million transistors, the complexity of a large integrated circuit. Six display circuits were fabricated on each 6 inch Silicon-On-Insulator wafers using CMOS IC processes. The single crystal silicon circuits readily achieve the high speeds required to drive these large pixel arrays at a 60 Hz frame rate. The thin x-Si layer containing the display circuits was transferred from the silicon wafer to glass in the manufacturing process. This approach leverages mature wafer-based IC processing for display manufacturing.

MicroDisplay devices are based on a combination of technologies rooted in the extreme integration capability of conventionally fabricated CMOS active-matrix liquid crystal display substrates. Customized diffraction grating and optical distortion correction technology for lens-system compensation allow the elimination of many lenses and systems-level components. The MicroDisplay Corporation's miniature integrated information display technology is rapidly leading to many new defense and commercial applications. There are no moving parts in MicroDisplay substrates, and the fabrication of the color generating gratings, already part of the CMOS circuit fabrication process, is effectively cost and manufacturing process-free. The entire suite of the MicroDisplay Corporation's technologies was devised to create a line of application- specific integrated circuit single-chip display systems with integrated computing, memory, and communication circuitry. Next-generation portable communication, computer, and consumer electronic devices such as truly portable monitor and TV projectors, eyeglass and head mounted displays, pagers and Personal Communication Services hand-sets, and wristwatch-mounted video phones are among the may target commercial markets for MicroDisplay technology. Defense applications range from Maintenance and Repair support, to night-vision systems, to portable projectors for mobile command and control centers.

Using a 12 by 12 micrometers pixel cell and 1.0 micrometers deign rules, a 0.7-inch diagonal 1280 by 1024 active matrix electroluminescent (AMEL) display has been designed and demonstrated using a silicon-on-insulator based CMOS technology. The display accepts data at 100 MHz via eight data inputs and provides five bits of gray scale. A total of 24 connections are used for all display functions. Architecture, theory of operation, and detailed specification for this new 2000 line-per-inch display will be discussed. The display is the same size as Planar's previously developed AMEL 640 by 480 arrays, thus providing over tour times the number of pixels in the same footprints as the prior design. The display provides workstation resolution in an extremely compact format and offers the same environmental robustness and optical performance as previously demonstrated in 1000 line-per-inch AMEL displays.

This paper presents results on the development of an eyeglass based human/computer interface. The interface comprises a display mounted within the eyeglasses, and a lens for relaying information inconspicuously to the wearer's eye. The paper will discuss eyeglass interface systems that utilize miniature displays and magnifying optics to provide a field of view of up to 10 degrees, with a resolution of approximately .03 degrees per pixel. Details of the design and construction of such systems, including methods of addressing the need for prescriptive correction will be presented. The paper concludes with comments on adding other new features to the interface system.

The tractor aviator night vision image system (ANVIS) eyepiece heads-up display (E-HUD) is an electro-optical system that superimposes flight and navigation symbology onto the scene viewed by the user of Night Vision Goggles. The ANVIS E-HUD provides the aircrew with critical flight information, during night missions, with an added degree of safety.

GEC Marconi Avionics and Delft Sensor Systems have developed together the helmet mounted display product line called VIPER. Where VIPER1 and VIPER2 are CRT based visor projected systems, VIPER3 is a fully integrated stand alone night vision helmet with optically coupled image intensifiers.

The development of suitable NVGs for the aviator has taken a considerable amount of time. NVGs are now in widespread use in both fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. This paper examines the near term future for NVGs and options for their replacement. A number of technical challenges are posed by novel NVGs, integrate helmet systems and steerable sensor system. These are discussed with the paper together with associated research projects.

This paper discusses the changing requirements for helmet mounted display (HMD) and helmet mounted sight (HMS) system from the early 1960s through the present. Honeywell has pioneered HMD and HMS development for military applications and has been the only production source of HMDs used on the USA's military fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft to date. Honeywell is continuing to pursue HMD and HMS opportunities in the world marketplace and has recently begun to apply its HMD systems expertise to HMD systems for ground vehicles and the dismounted soldier.

The satisfactory performance of a helmet mounted display (HMD) depends very much on satisfying a number of critical criteria relating in particular to the interface between the user and the optical system. The paper describes a test facility that enables these and other optical and electro- optical parameters of an HMD system to be evaluated. A particular feature of the equipment is that it can be used for testing display systems mounted on, or forming an integral part of, the complete helmet. This is made possible by the design of a compact probe that simulates the relevant features of the users eyes and can be placed inside a helmet at the eye positions.