Effects of curved approach paths and advanced displays on pilot scan patterns

The effect on pilot scan behavior of both advanced cockpit and advanced manuevers was assessed. A series of straight-in and curved landing approaches were performed in the Terminal Configured Vehicle (TCV) simulator. Two comparisons of pilot scan behavior were made: (1) pilot scan behavior for straight-in approaches compared with scan behavior previously obtained in a conventionally equipped simulator, and (2) pilot scan behavior for straight-in approaches compared with scan behavior for curved approaches. The results indicate very similar scanning patterns during the straight-in approaches in the conventional and advanced cockpits. However, for the curved approaches pilot attention shifted to the electronic horizontal situation display (moving map), and a new eye scan path appeared between the map and the airspeed indicator. The very high dwell percentage and dwell times on the electronic displays in the TCV simulator during the final portions of the approaches suggest that the electronic attitude direction indicator was well designed for these landing approaches

Detection of coherent light in an incoherent background

The change in position of the self-coherence function minimum is used to detect the presence of a coherent source, rather than the change in strength of the self-coherence function at the reference path difference. The system uses both optical and digital signal processing with MATLAB algorithm. An experimental system was built in the visible band, employing a Michelson interferometer, an interference filter centered in the red, and a silicon photodetector. The results were averaged over up to 50 scans, depending on the relative visibility of the white light and laser fringes, to reduce the scan to scan variability. Amplifier gain was introduced to reduce quantization noise

A technique for breaking ice in the path of a ship

A technique is described for breaking ice in the path of a ship. A laser is placed on the bow of the ship with apparatus to scan the ice in the path of the ship with the laser beam. The beam cuts or shatters the ice, enabling the ship to break the ice in its path

Apparatus for scanning the surface of a cylindrical body

A laser scanning system for providing a two-dimensional display of a cylindrical surface, such as to display striae of a fired bullet is described. The cylinder is scanned along its axis by vibrating one mirror in the laser beam path, and is scanned in a direction normal to its axis by vibrating a second mirror in a direction normal to the first or by rotating the bullet. Scan control signals are adjusted in phase to produce a synchronized display of a video signal obtained from detection of scattered light from the surface thus scanned by a laser beam

Optimization of MLS receivers for multipath environments

Optimal design studies of MLS angle-receivers and a theoretical design-study of MLS DME-receivers are reported. The angle-receiver results include an integration of the scan data processor and tracking filter components of the optimal receiver into a unified structure. An extensive simulation study comparing the performance of the optimal and threshold receivers in a wide variety of representative dynamical interference environments was made. The optimal receiver was generally superior. A simulation of the performance of the threshold and delay-and-compare receivers in various signal environments was performed. An analysis of combined errors due to lateral reflections from vertical structures with small differential path delays, specular ground reflections with neglible differential path delays, and thermal noise in the receivers is provided