12 December 2023

LED displays gain ground for military simulator technology

by Giles Ebbutt

IDSI's Visionflex Direct View curved LED display showcased at I/ITSEC 23. (Giles Ebbutt)

New display technology using LED (light emitting diode) panels, which offer advantages over traditional projector-based systems, was evidenced at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) 2023 in Orlando.

Immersive Display Solutions Inc (IDSI) showcased its Visionflex Direct View (DV) curved LED display. Andrew Jamison, IDSI general manager – special projects, told Janes that the display consisted of 144 panels arranged on a 150° × 40° curve with a 72 inch radius. The 0.9 pixel pitch panels were driven by two computers with Nvidia RTX 6000 Ada Generation graphics cards, with three display output ports per card feeding into a display controller.

Although not confirmed by Jamison, an IDSI I/ITSEC press release revealed that the LED panels were supplied by Nanolumens from its Nixel Flex range. Jamison said that the cylindrical display is fully scalable, could extend to 360°, and be increased in height.

Lockheed Martin Training and Logistics Solutions (LMTLS) also showcased its Amorphic Appearance Zero-Projector Environment (AMAZE) visual display system (VDS). AMAZE integrates commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) LED modules, based on those used in digital signage, and light relay technology to create a dome-like immersive solution using flat panels. The company exhibited a prototype half-dome system.

John Magda, Lockheed Martin visual display system engineer, said that the technology was based on using fibre-optic light relays that bring the image from the LED panels forward to create the full immersive effect.

New display technology using LED (light emitting diode) panels, which offer advantages over traditio...

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