Ergonomic design considerations for an optical data link between a warfighter's head and body-worn technologies

Noel Trew; Gregory Burnett; Michael Sedillo; Candace S. Washington; Aaron Linn; Zachery Nelson

doi:10.1117/12.920486

21 May 2012 Ergonomic design considerations for an optical data link between a warfighter's head and body-worn technologies

Noel Trew, Gregory Burnett, Michael Sedillo, Candace S. Washington, Aaron Linn, Zachery Nelson

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8383, Head- and Helmet-Mounted Displays XVII; and Display Technologies and Applications for Defense, Security, and Avionics VI; 838308 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.920486
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2012, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract

Today, warfighters are burdened by a web of cables linking technologies that span the head and torso regions of the body. These cables help to provide interoperability between helmet-worn peripherals such as head mounted displays (HMDs), cameras, and communication equipment with chest-worn computers and radios. Although promoting enhanced capabilities, this cabling also poses snag hazards and makes it difficult for the warfighter to extricate himself from his kit when necessary. A newly developed wireless personal area network (WPAN), one that uses optical transceivers, may prove to be an acceptable alternative to traditional cabling. Researchers at the Air Force Research Laboratory's 711th Human Performance Wing are exploring how best to mount the WPAN transceivers to the body in order to facilitate unimpeded data transfer while also maintaining the operator's natural range of motion. This report describes the two-step research process used to identify the performance limitations and usability of a body-worn optical wireless system. Firstly, researchers characterized the field of view for the current generation of optical WPAN transceivers. Then, this field of view was compared with anthropometric data describing the range of motion of the cervical vertebrae to see if the data link would be lost at the extremes of an operator's head movement. Finally, this report includes an additional discussion of other possible military applications for an optical WPAN.

Citation Download Citation

Noel Trew, Gregory Burnett, Michael Sedillo, Candace S. Washington, Aaron Linn, and Zachery Nelson "Ergonomic design considerations for an optical data link between a warfighter's head and body-worn technologies", Proc. SPIE 8383, Head- and Helmet-Mounted Displays XVII; and Display Technologies and Applications for Defense, Security, and Avionics VI, 838308 (21 May 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.920486

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KEYWORDS

Transceivers

Free space optics

Neck

Head

Head-mounted displays

Video

Magnetism

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