HUD visual mixer system

Citation

(1999), "HUD visual mixer system", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 71 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1999.12771ead.003

HUD visual mixer system

HUD visual mixer system

Keywords: Calibre, Simulation, Training

Said to be ideal for both military and commercial pilot training simulators, Calibre's new HUD visual mixer system provides a pilot's view at the instructor/operator station.

In aircraft simulation and training applications, it is often necessary to provide the instructor/operator with the pilot's view of the head-up display (HUD) superimposed on to the out-the-window scene. In doing this instructors may give guidance to others utilising the current simulation display to illustrate.

The HUD image is typically available in stroke (X, Y, Z) format with the out-the-window background image being generated by a high-resolution image generator in raster video format. According to the manufacturers a high performance HUD visual mixer system, which provides overlay of HUD information on a background image, has been realised using two commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) products, the SRC3100 stroke to raster converter and 2100VFC video format converter, both available from Calibre UK.

HUD video in stroke (X, Y, Z) format is input to an SRC3100 stroke to raster converter and it converts the input stroke image to an RS170 monochrome video format. The output of the SRC3100 is routed to the 2100VFC video format converter where the raster video is scaled and input to a frame buffer. The scan-converted HUD image is output from the frame buffer in the same video format as that of the background scene image generator video. The output is horizontally and vertically locked (genlocked) to the scene image generator video which can be any non-interlaced or interlaced resolution up to 1,280 <$>\times<$> 1,024.60Hz NI.

The two synchronised video signals are then mixed by mixer circuits within the 2100VFC to provide an RGB video signal identical in video format to the background scene image generator input image in which HUD overlay information is superimposed on the background scene image. The HUD image is typically provided as a green overlay on the background image although, if desired, can be displayed as a white overlay. The 2100VFC can scale and position the HUD image as required, enabling boresight alignment of the HUD image on to the background scene.

RS-232 control of the 2100VFC unit allows "HUD only", "background video only" or "mixed HUD and background" output mode selection as well as control of HUD image size and position. Non-volatile memory in the 2100VFC will save the current settings during power-down. These settings will automatically be restored during initialisation on power-up.

The SRC3100 and the 2100VFC are available as self-contained 19in. rack mount boxes. Signal and power connectors are provided on the rear panels of the units.

Further details are available from Calibre UK Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 1274 394125; Fax: +44 (0) 1274 730960; E-mail: paulinej@calibreuk.com; Website: http://www.calibreuk.com