M. TAUBENSLAG • A. KAHN • R. S. RAVEN 



CHAPTER 12 



DISPLAY SYSTEM DESIGN PROBLEMS* 



12-1 INTRODUCTION 



Almost every airborne radar system requires presentation of radar 

 information to a human operator for interpretation, decision, and action.^ 

 With the growth of problem complexity, the development tendency has 

 been towards greater automaticity which relieves the man of routine 

 functions. Corresponding emphasis has been placed on utilizing man's 

 capacity for judgment and innovation in unexpected or complex tactical 

 situations. In this respect, man cannot be even remotely approached 

 by the most advanced control-system technology. 



The growing creative role of man as a weapon system element has 

 increased the problem of man-machine integration to the point where it is 

 the most difficult and perplexing of all system design problems. The display 

 system which translates radar and other information into a form suitable 

 for interpretation and decision is a central element of this problem. 



This chapter will outline the basic features of display systems, indicate 

 the types of display systems that are commonly employed, develop the 

 important characteristics of display devices and their interrelations with 

 human operations, and, finally, illustrate how display system requirements 

 might be derived for several specific applications. The general charac- 

 teristics of special display devices such as storage tubes and solid-state 

 (electroluminescent) devices are covered to provide the reader with an 

 introduction to present and future display system componentry. The 

 circuit design problems of specific display systems are not treated since 

 the purpose of this chapter is to provide principles of design applicable to 

 the display system. 



Display system design is complicated by the fact that electrical signals 

 must be converted to light and then interpreted in the human mind. The 

 conversion of information through these transducers is extremely complex 



♦Paragraphs 12-1 through 12-6 and 12-9 and 12-10 are by M. Taubenslag. Paragraph 12-7 

 is by Dr. A. Kahn. Paragraph 12-8 is by R. S. Raven. 



^Certain classes of guided missile terminal seekers form the major exceptions to this rule. 

 While human intervention into the operation of these systems is often desirable, the technical 

 problems associated with the establishment of communication links between the missile radar 

 and a human observer can outweigh the operational advantages. 



607 



