Visual Technology Research Simulator, Visual and Motion System Dynamics

Simulator system time lags and transport delays can be critical factors in achieving a successful modern trainer. This document presents the results of detailed measurements made on the navy's Visual Technology Research Simulator (VTRS/CTOL). These measurements determined 'end-to-end' dynamic lags, with aircraft control stick as the input stimulus and visual/motion hardware response as the output. Major subsystems of the VTRS/CTOL include a T-2C aircraft cockpit, pneumatic G-seat, six degree of freedom motion base, wide angle dome display with a servo-controlled projection system driven with either CIG or closed circuit model board TV. Dynamic performance data shows phasing between the motion and visual systems for CIG and model board simulation. This study concludes that the VTRS/CTOL simulator throughout lags are less than 150 milliseconds which is generally accepted as satisfactory for simulation. (Author)