The Effects of Time Delay in Man-Machine Control Systems: Implications for Design of Flight Simulator Visual-Display-Delay Compensation,
Abstract
When human operators are performing precision tracking tasks, their dynamic response can often be modeled by quasi-linear describing functions. That fact permits analysis of the effects of delay in certain man-machine control systems using linear control system analysis techniques. The analysis indicates that a reduction in system stability is the immediate effect of additional control system delay, and that system characteristics moderate or exaggerate the importance of the delay. A selection of data (simulator and flight test) consistent with the analysis is reviewed. Flight simulator visual-display-delay compensation, designed to restore pilot-aircraft system stability, was evaluated in several studies which are reviewed here. The studies range from single-axis, tracking-task experiments (with sufficient subjects and trials to establish the statistical significance of the results) to a brief evaluation of compensation of a computer-generated-imagery (CGI) visual display system in a full six-degree-of-freedom simulation. The compensation was effective -- improvements in pilot performance and workload or aircraft handling-qualities rating (HQR) were observed. Results from recent aircraft handling-qualities research literature, which support the compensation design approach, are also reviewed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADP004329
Entities
People
- D. F. Crane
Organizations
- Ames Research Center