Filters are key

Tuesday, 17 June, 2008

Interference caused by LED lights in illuminated computer keyboards can make it difficult to see when wearing night vision goggles, because of a bloom effect. iKey, a leading manufacturer of rugged computer peripherals for military applications, presents a solution with backlit keyboards that are compatible with night vision goggles.
“Without filters, like the ones used on iKey’s keyboards, LED backlighting can wash out the field of view and severely decrease visibility for someone wearing night vision goggles,” said Joel East, director of business development and technical design at iKey. “By reducing the interference caused by LED lights, iKey’s keyboards make consoles both safer and easier to use.”
The night-vision-compatible keyboards are ideal for use in applications that require some form of effective visual enhancement at night, including military, law enforcement and emergency medical operations. The rugged keyboards are compact and can be mounted into transportation vehicles of all types, from cars and tanks to aircraft, submarines and helicopters.
They have been third-party tested and approved for NVIS Green B compliance. A sample keyboard is on display at iKey’s stand G150e, which it shares with Bicel Techno World, the company’s distributor in France.

iKey’s NVIS Green B compliant keyboard results in improved visibility when wearing night vision goggles