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LASERBIRD TO CONTROL
HELMET DISPLAY IMAGES IN TIGER
HELICOPTER SIMULATOR
BURLINGTON, VERMONT;OCTOBER
29, 2004: Rheinmetall
Defence Electronics
and Thales Training
& Simulation (TTS)
have selected Ascension
Technology’s laserBIRD™
precision optical motion tracker
to provide pilot and gunner
head tracking in the TIGER
helicopter full-mission simulator.
The flight-worthy TIGER helicopter
uses a head tracker to control
some of the pilot’s and gunner’s
optics and instruments. The
TIGER simulator will provide
the same components as well
as additional displays for
generating a simulated environment.
According to Rheinmetall engineer
Axel Rehder, the requirements
for the simulator head tracker
are much higher than those
of the original equipment.
Whereas the TIGER head tracker
runs at 50Hz, the simulator
tracker runs at 240Hz to minimize
the lag and provide head-roll
compensation.
laserBIRD delivers highly-accurate
position and orientation tracking
without environmental interference
or distortion. Its miniaturized
scanner continuously scans
the work space even as its
sensors instantly sense time
domain of the laser beams.
Signals are then directed
back to the scanner's DSP
electronics for processing
and real-time output of position
and orientation data.
Rheinmetall selected laserBIRD
over other trackers because
of its stable data and minimal
noise. “IaserBIRD’s high quality
of data allows us to provide
excellent prediction and synchronisation,”
says Rehder. “Because generated
images are controlled by head
tracker data, we use prediction
to compensate for the lag
of the image generator. We
also like laserBIRD because
it provides correct data throughout
the motion box. Regardless
of the environment, no mapping
is necessary. This saves a
lot of time and money.”
Rehder points out that the
high quality of the data also
means that when helmet-mounted
displays are being used, the
system can achieve the best
congruence of generated images
with the original cockpit
elements. “Last but not least”,
he notes “Rheinmetall chose
laserBIRD because of the effective
teamwork we enjoy with Ascension.”
TT&S holds the contract
to supply training and simulation
equipment for the “TIGER Aircrew
Training” program for the
army aviation forces of France
and Germany. The program is
managed by the Organisme Conjoint
de Cooperation on behalf of
both governments.
Initial delivery from Rheinmetall
and TTS will include one full-mission
simulator with dual dome and
motion system, one cockpit
procedure trainer with two
fixed base cockpits for pilot
and gunner, and one computer
assisted training system with
12 trainee stations. Extensive
courseware and support systems
for briefing, debriefing,
scenario generation and training
management will also be provided.
Rheinmetall Defence Electronics
(Bremen, Germany) develops
and manufactures advanced
technical equipment, systems
and components for army and
air forces. Its products range
from reconnaissance and command/control
systems to simulators. For
more information, visit www.rheinmetall-de.com.
Thales Training & Simulation
(West Sussex, United Kingdom)
is part of the Aerospace business
division of the Thales-Group,
an established world leader
in advanced technology and
electronic based systems for
the aviation and defense markets.
For more information, visit
www.thales-tts.com.
Ascension Technology Corporation
(Vermont, USA) develops magnetic,
optical and inertial motion-tracking
solutions for 3D computer-graphics
applications in military targeting
systems, simulation, virtual
reality, biomechanics, animation
and medicine. For more information,
visit www.ascension-tech.com.
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