Work

High-Fidelity NIR-LED Direct-View Display System for Authentic Night Vision Goggle Simulation Training

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Current simulation training for pilots wearing night vision goggles (NVGs) (e.g., night landings and tactical reconnaissance) faces fidelity limitations from conventional displays. This study proposed a novel dynamic NIR-LED direct-view display system for authentic nighttime scene simulation. Through comparative characterization of NVG response across LED wavelengths under ultra-low-current conditions, 940 nm was identified as the optimal wavelength. Quantification of inherent nonlinear response in NVG observation enabled derivation of a mathematical model that provides the foundation for inverse gamma correction compensation. A prototype NIR-LED display was engineered with 1.25 mm pixel pitch and 1280 × 1024 resolution at 60 Hz refresh rate, achieving >90% uniformity and >2000:1 contrast. Subjective evaluations confirmed exceptional simulation fidelity. This system enables high-contrast, low-power NVG simulation for both full-flight simulators and urban low-altitude reconnaissance training systems, providing the first quantified analysis of NVG-LED nonlinear interactions and establishing the technical foundation for next-generation LED-based all-weather visual displays.

Source: Sensors

DOI: 10.3390/s25175368

Authors: Yixiong Zeng, Bo Xu, Kun Qiu

Institution: University of Electronic Science and Technology of China

Language: English

Topic: Simulation and Modeling Applications

Subfield: Control and Systems Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China