Investigation of Stereopsis with AN/AVS-6 Night Vision Goggles at Varying Levelsof Illuminance and Contrast

摘要

The increased reliance on night operations by the military over the last fewdecades has led to the development of various night imaging devices. Night vision goggles (NVGs) are one device which have gained widespread use in nighttime helicopter operations. However, rotorcraft accident data have indicated an increased occurrence of 'pilot error' type accidents when NVGs are in use. NVG related accidents often can be linked to extremely poor ambient lighting and contrast conditions during nighttime operations as well as the imaging limitations of the NvGs. Research has shown that NVGs reduce visual acuity and depth perception when compared to unaided daylight viewing conditions. In this study the effects of illumination and contrast on stereoscopic vision with and without AN/AVS-6 goggles were investigated. Stereoacuity was measured using a modified Howard-Dolman apparatus with four levels of illumination and three levels of contrast.