Multifunction Displays Research Articles

General aviation aircraft avionics: Integration & system tests

The avionics of current-day aircraft is termed as modular integrated full glass cockpit. Unlike lots of dials and gauges, the pilot will interact with Multi-Function Displays (MYD). This means that the systems are coupled with multi-function displays, communication and navigation radios with control units, multi-mode interactive instruments for control and navigation, recording and fault management systems, airframes and health monitoring diagnostic capabilities. Pilot Vehicle Interface (PVI) is an important measure of good avionics and cockpit layout, which implies the optimization of man-machine interface, enhancement of the economy, and safety of flight operations. This presents the avionics architecture of a 14-seat Light Transport Aircraft (LTA) for general aviation, which has multi-role commuter capabilities. LTA is a twin turbo-prop, multi-role aircraft, with air taxi and commuter services as its primary roles. The avionics is built on the digital communication mode for both command and control with current requirements of TCAS, digital Autopilot, and AMLCD multi-purpose glass displays. The LTA Avionics suite is grouped into six major groups based on functionality: Display System, Communication System, Navigation System, Recording System, Radar System, and Engine instruments and other cockpit displays. This paper also covers details about the extensive tests carried out to prove the avionics design in terms of functionality, inter-operability, interference, and compatibility. Various practical integration and flight-test issues, methodologies, and details of the scenarios is presented herein.

Incorporating data link messaging into a multi-function display to support the Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) and the self-separation of general aviation aircraft

One objective of the Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) Project is to increase the capacity and utilization of small non-towered, non-radar equipped airports by transferring traffic management activities to an automated system and separation responsibilities to general aviation (GA) pilots. This paper describes the development of a research multi-function display (MFD) to support the interaction between pilots and an automated Airport Management Module (AMM). Preliminary results of simulation and flight tests indicate that adding the responsibility of monitoring other traffic for self-separation does not increase pilots’ subjective workload levels. Pilots preferred using the enhanced MFD to execute flight procedures, reporting improved situation awareness (SA) over conventional instrument flight rules (IFR) procedures.

γ‐Substituted Peptide Nucleic Acids Constructed from L‐Lysine are a Versatile Scaffold for Multifunctional Display

Auf dem Präsentierteller: Das Bild zeigt eine DNA (rosa), die an eine Peptidnucleinsäure (PNA; orange) angelagert ist. Das PNA-Oligomer enthält L-Lysin-γ-Seitenketten (LKγ-PNA) in seinem Mittelabschnitt, die von den Nucleinsäure-Basenpaaren (violett) weg zeigen und die Duplexperipherie besetzen. Diese Strategie eignet sich für das Präsentieren mehrerer funktioneller Gruppen von PNA-Resten, wobei weder Affinität noch Selektivität der DNA-Bindung vermindert wird. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http://www.wiley-vch.de/contents/jc_2001/2007/z603483_s.pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.

γ‐Substituted Peptide Nucleic Acids Constructed from L‐Lysine are a Versatile Scaffold for Multifunctional Display

γ‐Substituted Peptide Nucleic Acids Constructed from <scp>L</scp>‐Lysine are a Versatile Scaffold for Multifunctional Display

Multifunction Displays for Optimum Manning: Towards Functional Integration and Cross-Functional Awareness

The Navy is faced with the challenge of designing integrated “multifunction displays” that provide information from traditionally disparate domains. These multifunction displays can be expected to improve operator situational awareness by presenting information that creates an integrated picture of related functional areas, increasing real-time coordination of actions across functional domains. In developing a process to design multifunction displays, we specified a method to provide linkages from analytical products to the resultant display designs, based on a Cognitive Work Analysis (CWA) approach. This project created a multifunction display design for the Navy surface ship environment, focusing on opportunities to integrate information between two traditionally separate domains: Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW), and Damage Control (DC). Future efforts would expand the analysis and design effort to a more comprehensive level and validate the effectiveness of displays designed through this method.

Pilot Attitudes in Comparing U.S. Army Glass Cockpit and Traditional Crew Station Designs

The crew station instrument panel of U.S. Army rotary-wing cockpits has changed from one of traditional displays (e.g., gauges and dials) to one using multifunction displays (MFDs). The newer design is referred to as a “glass cockpit.” Pilots generally approve of the introduction of glass cockpit designs, and there is significant evidence that commercial aircraft with glass cockpit designs have fewer accidents. However, a recent study of U.S. Army rotary-wing aircraft comparing accident rates between traditional and glass cockpit models of the same aircraft type found evidence for higher accident rates in the glass cockpit models. Since the design of future aircraft will almost certainly include glass cockpits, it is important to explain this finding. To identify characteristics of glass cockpit designs that might be contributing to the accident rate differences, pilots of both traditional and glass cockpit models of the OH-58 Kiowa and AH-64 Apache helicopters were surveyed regarding their attitudes toward traditional and glass cockpit designs in the areas of workload, safety, crew coordination, situational awareness, and training. The survey results suggest that the pilots of glass cockpit aircraft generally have more positive attitudes toward their cockpit than the pilots of traditional cockpit displays. Significantly, though, pilot ratings of some aspects of workload and training were more favorable for the traditional cockpit design than for the glass cockpit design, so further investigation on those areas offers the best chance of explaining the accident rate differences.

MFDTool: a software program for designing optimal multifunction displays.

This paper describes a software program called MFDTool. MFDTool is used to design multifunction displays (MFDs), which enable people to interact with computer information systems. MFDTool characterizes the problem of MFD design as the identification of how people interact with the system and what types of constraints should be imposed by the designer to shape the properties of the MFD. Once this information is provided, MFDTool uses an optimization procedure to build a variety of candidate MFD designs and to identify the MFD design that best satisfies the constraints. An example of MFD design is discussed.

Space Human Factors Advanced Development Projects

The NASA Space Human Factors community engages in activities that range from basic research through advanced development projects to applications associated with ongoing programs such as the International Space Station and the Shuttle. This panel of NASA human factors specialists will present information relating to advanced development projects aimed at the creation of tools that can be applied to the analysis, design and evaluation of space vehicles and operations, and future space vehicle design concepts. The projects are: “The voice of the customer” - a description of the multiple pathways used to obtain astronaut information and opinion; International Space Station emergency medical procedure evaluation and redesign; the “magic windows” project which provides a multifunctional display system for operations and personal use on space vehicles and analogs; analytical approaches to digitally scanned crew member anthropometric data; crew member activity measurement, modeling and scheduling; evaluation of the upgraded displays of the Space Shuttle cockpit; and finally a description of the updated, electronic version of the space human factors engineering database.

The Effects of Task and Multifunction Display Characteristics on Pilot Viewport Allocation Strategy

Twenty pilots searched through a 280 screen hierarchically organized data base of flight information in single task conditions, and in dual-task conditions which required concurrent monitoring of an altitude variable. Two screens were available that could either be shared between the two tasks, or fully allocated to the information access task (IAT). Search questions varied in the distance in the data base that needed to be traversed and in the extent to which they required working memory to integrate information between two screens. Subjects performed the dual task trials under either information or monitoring task emphasis, and when the monitoring task was either low or high bandwidth. The results indicated that longer single task traversals resulted from integration problems, from more distant nodes, and from nodes that shared the same top level of the hierarchy. The dual task results indicated that a measured strategic variable which facilitated performance on the IAT (the devotion of both screens to that task) was modulated as the IAT became more difficult with integration questions, as the IAT was emphasized, and as the monitoring task was at lower bandwidth. However, the result revealed that pilots failed to consider the length of the data base navigational path in their choice of single versus dual screen strategy.

Electronic display system for the Swedish JAS39 Gripen aircraft

The cockpit design in the new JAS39 Gripen combat aircraft is based on an electronic computer-controlled display system. This display system EP 17, has four areas of presentation: one Head-Up Display (HUD) and three Multi-Function Displays (MFD). The HUD is equipped with a diffraction optics combiner which gives the display high visibility within a large field-of-view, and with minimal visual interference to the outside world. The Multi-Function Displays in the front panel are a Flight Data Display showing flight and system data, a Horizontal Situation Display that superimposes tactical information on a digital map and a Multi-Sensor Display with, primarily, radar information. This system is supported by a Display Processor comprising computers, graphic generators, sensor information processors and a digital map memory. It also includes an integrated video recording system for recording analog and digital sensor video, bus data and voice. >

Distance and organization in multifunction displays.

One approach to organizing information in a multifunction display (MFD) is to place related screens of information closer to each other. This study identified three metrics that could be used to operationalize the concept of distance in an MFD. The proposed distance metrics-navigational (the number of choice points lying between two screens), organizational (the hierarchical structure of the data base), and the cognitive (the user's perception of relationships among screens)-were empirically examined by using a simulated, hierarchically arranged, menu-driven MFD in an aviation context. Subjects engaged in two tasks that required them to access different target screens from various starting screens in a 290-screen MFD. The tasks differed in the navigational mechanisms subjects were allowed to use to navigate around the MFD and the relationships between the starting and target screens. The results suggest that the three distance metrics are meaningful within the context of a multifunction display.

Distance Metrics in Multifunction Displays

The need to scan and integrate sources of information in multifunction displays (MFDs) forces consideration of the relationships between the screens in the database. This paper develops a spatial metaphor that can be used to explore these underlying relationships. Three metrics of distance - navigational (the number of choice points lying between screens), organizational (the structure of the hierarchy), and cognitive (the user's mental representation of information relatedness) - were identified and empirically examined by using a simulated, hierarchically arranged, menu-driven MFD in an aviation context.

A large flat panel multifunction display for military and space applications

A flat panel multifunction display (MFD) that offers the size and reliability benefits of liquid crystal display technology while achieving near-CRT display quality is presented. Display generation algorithms that provide exceptional display quality are being implemented in custom VLSI components to minimize MFD size. A high-performance processor converts user-specified display lists to graphics commands used by these components, resulting in high-speed updates of two-dimensional and three-dimensional images. The MFD uses the MIL-STD-1553B data bus for compatibility with virtually all avionics systems. The MFD can generate displays directly from display lists received from the MIL-STD-1553B bus. Complex formats can be stored in the MFD and displayed using parameters from the data bus. The MFD also accepts direct video input and performs special processing on this input to enhance image quality. >

The C-17 multifunction display: a building block for avionic systems

The multifunction display (MFD) developed for use as the primary cockpit display system on the US Air Force C-17A military air transport is described. The 6-in by 6-in color cathode ray tube (CRT) display features a self-contained 1750 processor and vector generator capable of processing MIL-STD-1553B aircraft data and raster video into any of 10 formats as selected by the pilot or copilot. The MFD can display stroke, raster, or hybrid formats in 16 colors. Raster images are driven by sensor inputs with an RS-170 or RS-343 interface. The CRT uses a taut mask delta gun design and provides the best available brightness and line-width performance. The display features small size, low weight, low power, standard interface, and adaptable software. Reconfigurability in the aircraft is enhanced by using four identical cockpit displays.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>

Electronic product design and manufacture in a concurrent engineering environment

The authors describe a concurrent engineering approach to meet the highly competitive needs of today's consumer electronics industry by providing the capability of predicting, analyzing and making decisions on design, test, manufacturing, marketing and cost-related issues during the early phases of the product life cycle. The methodology of developing a high quality product by coordinating team efforts within a specific discipline and also among multiple disciplines such as electrical, mechanical, marketing, materials and manufacturing is presented. The design of a multi-function electronic display board is discussed. The general development process from concept to manufacture is outlined covering issues related to multiple disciplines and specifically focusing on the manufacturing issues. >

Human Factors Considerations in the Design of Displays and Switches for a Flight Simulator's Onboard Instructor/Operator Station (IOS)

The MV-22A training device suite Operational Flight Trainer (OFT) and Aircrew System Trainer (AST) specification requirements provide for an instructor work environment that focuses on integrating the instructor's position with the training environment. This paper will describe the process to refine a display/switch design dedicated to over-the-shoulder instruction at the IOS. The time frame encompasses the period from the mockup through the IOS-specific design reviews which addresses a mature IOS display/switch design. This new IOS display/switch design mirrors the aircraft's Multi-Function Displays (MFDs) which provide the pilots rapid and efficient access to aircraft systems and environmental data, while allowing for primary focus on flying the aircraft. Correspondingly, the IOS display/switch design for control and monitor of the training scenario, allows the instructor to focus on trainee actions, the aircraft instrument panel, and the visual system's forward field of view. Since the mockup, there has been a refinement process leading to some significant design initiatives. An analysis of this refinement process points out some key issues in designing for this new type of IOS display.

Determination of a Gain-Function Relating Control Force to Cursor Velocity

F-14D fighter pilots will have the capability to use cursor control to designate symbols and pushbutton legends on multifunction displays (MFD). Since operators often will be required to slew and designate a target symbol or pushbutton legend in diverse environments, it is important to determine a control system gain, the relationship between response magnitude (in this case, force) and amount of cursor movement or velocity, that will enhance performance during slewing/designate tasks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate six different gain-functions analyzing speed, accuracy, and subjective comments, to determine an optimal gain-function relating control force to cursor velocity. Trend indicated that Gain-function 1, the gain-function with the lowest mean pixel error and fastest mean acquisition time, would be the best gain-function to use in the F-14D aircraft.

CADAM Applications in the Design and Evaluation of Aircraft Displays

The Grumman F-14D fleet air superiority fighter represents a step forward in the application of integrated controls and displays to the reduction of the high workload in the multiple task operational environment. System requirements necessitate the implementation of an avionics display system that would present flight status information efficiently and in a manner most conducive to enhancing F-14D pilot and Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) performance. In order to accomplish this, Human Factors Engineers at Grumman Corporation elected to utilize multi-color Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing (CADAM) in the design and evaluation of the Weapon Status Panel, Head-Up and Multi-Function display systems. The multi-color CADAM was used because of its unique ability to present this information efficiently, realistically and at the earliest stage in the design phase. This paper discusses the rationale for using the color CADAM as a design and evaluation tool and presents examples of specific computer generated display formats for use in the F-14D tactical fighter cockpit avionics system.

Methodology for Exploring Voice-Interactive Avionics Tasks: Optimizing Interactive Dialogues

Two experiments were performed to investigate the most advantageous format for interactive dialogue between pilots of a fighter aircraft and an on-board voice recognition and synthesis system. A representative task was chosen among those anticipated to be performed using a multi-function display and control system during high workload mission segments. The first experiment compared different methods of progressing through a “menu driven” sequence using voice I/O. A second experiment was conducted using the dialogue approach that proved easiest to use in the first experiment, and compared performance of voice I/O vs. keyboard-display I/O in timeshared conditions with a simultaneously performed flight control task. Results showed that after an initial training period with voice I/O pilots performed the flight control task with little or no disruption from the voice interactive data entry task, but showed significantly higher degradation when required to use the keyboard system.