<title>Evaluation of required HMD resolution and field of view for a virtual cockpit simulation</title>

Abstract

2For some of today's simulations very expensive, heavy, and large equipment is needed. In order to reduce prototyping and training costs, immersive 'Virtual Cockpit Simulation' (VCS) becomes very attractive. Head Mounted Displays (HMD), datagloves, and cheap 'Seating Bucks' are used to generate an immersive stereoscopic virtual environment (VE) for designers, engineers, and trainees. The entire cockpit, displays, and a visual are modeled as 3D computer generated geometry with textured surfaces. HMD resolution, field of view (FOV), tracker lag, and missing force feedback are critical human machine interface (HMI) components in VCS. For VCS applications task performance and transfer of training into reality have to be evaluated. In this paper two test series evaluating the VCS HMI dependencies based on HMD resolution and FOV are described. FOV limitations are especially important for a two seater virtual cockpit. Cross viewing, observing overhead, glareshield, and pedestal are critical for flying. Test persons had to deal with different FOV settings varying from 30 degrees to 100 degrees. Their task was to find and count light arbitrary points located at different panels in a limited time. To evaluate cross viewing test persons also had to detect light points besides them while reading text in front of them. Based on the test results a recommendation for a necessary FOV was given. The most demanding component for HMD resolution are virtual flight guidance displays rendered in a virtual scene at correct size and location. They consist of small moving low contrast symbols. Under a hi-resolution (1280 X 1024) HMD test persons were asked to read-out letters, numbers, and symbols of different sizes, movement speeds, and contrasts. Some test persons also had to fulfill an additional task to reduce their attention. From the test results a minimal necessary symbol, letter, and numbersize was determined for hi-resolution (hires) HMDs.