Current display systems use three-dimensional (3D) images projected on two-dimensional (2D) surfaces, sometimes call 2.5D. While these surfaces provide useful information, rotating the image often causes the operator to lose perspective. A 3D display, one providing a true three- dimensional view, eliminates this problem and provides a more intuitive image. This paper examines three applications where the 3D display provides definite operational benefits over the 2.5D display. First, the 3D display greatly benefits a homeland security application - baggage examination. Given a rotating x-ray sensor and a 3D display, the inspector examines baggage from all angles, identifying objects hidden underneath other items. Also a three dimensional view of the items significantly increases the probability of recognition when compared to a flat image. Second, a 3D display provides an intuitive, less cluttered image to Air Traffic Control (ATC) operators. Third, the 3D display is very useful in command and control suites, such as AWACS or JSTARS. Operators are able to see realistic representations of the battle space. Next, a description provides integration aspects of the 3D display. This includes the operator's ability to interact with systems not providing or needing 3D representation. Finally, a novel technology for implementing an autostereo display is discussed. The display provides look-around capability and is viewable by more than one person. An autostereo system does not require the use of special glasses, head trackers or other assistive aids.
Link-16 Data Link systems are being added to current avionics systems to provide increased situational awareness and command data. By using a single intelligent display system, the impact to existing aircraft systems to implement Link-16 capabilities is minimized. Litton Guidance & Control Systems (G&CS), a military avionics supplier for more than forty years, provides Open System Architecture (OSA), large screen aircraft display systems. Based on a common set of plug-in modules, these Smart Multi-Function Displays (SMFD) are available in a variety of sizes and processing capabilities, any one of which can meet the Link-16 requirements. Using a single smart SMFD connected to a Link-16 subsystem has many advantages. With digital moving map capability, the SMFD can monitor and display air and ground tracks of both friendly and hostile forces while providing potential threat data to the operator. The SMFD can also monitor vehicle status and mission data to share between friendly air and surface forces. To support the integrated digital battlefield, Link-16 capability is required and the Litton G&CS SMFD provides the processing/display functionality to implement this capability.
This paper describes Litton's time-multiplexed 3-D display technology, which allows groups of viewers to see full stereo with kineopsis (lookaround capability) without using any eye or head gear. We detail the construction of our latest 50'- screen prototype, which is brighter and has higher resolution than our 25'-prototype presented previously. The time- multiplexed concept allows the sequential projection of narrow strips of images into the viewer space and provides realistic movement parallax in a horizontal plane with full autostereoscopic images. The time-multiplexed nature allows full-screen resolution for each view and shared components for the optical trains. Our latest prototype, configured for entertainment applications, replaces our previous color sequential system with separate red, green, and blue CRTs for a brighter image [up to 120 foot-Lamberts (fL)] with much better color saturation. A new optical layout uses dichroics and beamsplitters to avoid the need for coatings with sharp cut-off frequencies, and a concave-mirror screen provides better image sharpness. We can also provide up to fifteen views in each eyebox without tube-abutment seams. Improved electronic performance provides capability of 30 frames-per- seconds interlaced at 640 by 480 pixel resolution. Special picture-shape correction circuitry has been added for a rectangular image-frame, despite a light path skewed out-of- plane.
KEYWORDS: Video, Video processing, Visualization, Cockpit displays, LCDs, Displays, Computer architecture, Control systems, Power supplies, Operating systems
Litton Guidance & Control Systems (G&CS) is the developer and supplier of Smart Multi-Function Display (SMFD) Systems. These programs include the UH-60Q, the SH-2G, the SH-60R, the CH-60, the EH-101, and others. The SMFD meets the all-glass cockpit requirements for the SH-2G(A), the SH-60R, and the CH-60 helicopters. The basic architectures for all-glass cockpit display systems are the centralized (dumb display or video monitor) and the distributed (smart display). Litton's SMFD has the flexibility to support either of these architectures as well as others. Litton's advantage comes from deploying a display system that provides Open System Architecture (OSA) for both hardware and software. With the OSA design philosophy, Litton's SMFD is easily customized by using a set of basic hardware modules which can be configured to provide the different functionality required by each aircraft type. The OSA design philosophy also accommodates future expansion and technological developments. This paper, showing the easy adaptation of the SH-2G display to meet the SH-60R and CH-60 requirements, demonstrates the advantages of Litton's OSA design philosophy. OSA is the key to providing the mix-and- match/plug-and-play of the existing modules, which also permits future growth. It is the versatility of the OSA framework that meets the bipolar requirements of the two system architecture types.
Seven operator displays are being integrated into the United States Navy Multi-Mission Helicopter, SH-60R, which has a planned initial operating capability date of 2001. These displays incorporate commercial off-the-shelf Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Displays (AMLCDs). This paper presents the general approach taken to select, develop, evaluate, integrate, test, and support the three Common Avionic Multi- Function Displays (CAMFDs) in the avionics system.
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