Relating standardized visual perception measures to simulator visual system performance
ABSTRACT
Human vision is quantified through the use of standardized clinical vision measurements. These measurements
typically include visual acuity (near and far), contrast sensitivity, color vision, stereopsis (a.k.a. stereo acuity), and
visual field periphery. Simulator visual system performance is specified in terms such as brightness, contrast, color
depth, color gamut, gamma, resolution, and field-of-view.
How do these simulator performance characteristics relate to the perceptual experience of the pilot in the
simulator? In this paper, visual acuity and contrast sensitivity will be related to simulator visual system resolution,
contrast, and dynamic range; similarly, color vision will be related to color depth/color gamut. Finally, we will
consider how some characteristics of human vision not typically included in current clinical assessments could be
used to better inform simulator requirements (e.g., relating dynamic characteristics of human vision to update rate
and other temporal display characteristics).
VITA
Mary K. Kaiser is a research psychologist with the Human Systems Integration Division at
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA.