An Evaluation of Flashtube Signal Characteristics

Abstract

The United States Cost Guard has long been interested in using flashtubes as an aid-to-navigation. They are highly conspicuous and are energy efficient. In the single flick operation mode, mariners report difficulty in fixing the time (less than 10 milliseconds). This factorial experiment investigated the effect on observer performance as each of three factors was varied; (1) Flash Repetition Rate; (2) Flick Frequency; and (3) Number of Flicks comprising the multiflick flash. An analysis of variance revealed all three main factors to be significant as well as some interactions. From the model provided, observer performance can be predicted by specifying the three factors. A simplifying parameter is introduced which reduces the performance model to two factors. Recommendations are made for each of these factors.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1984
Accession Number
ADA149569

Entities

People

  • J. R. Thacker

Organizations

  • United States Coast Guard Research & Development Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analysis Of Variance
  • Coast Guard
  • Coordinate Systems
  • Energy Consumption
  • Flash Lamps
  • Frequency
  • Governments
  • Light Sources
  • Measurement
  • Mental Processes
  • Navigation
  • Pilot Studies
  • Psychology
  • Repetition Rate
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • Visual Perception

Readers

  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Vision Science/Vision Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience.