COMPUTER AIDED REFLECTION ANALYSIS

This paper examines computer based methods of predicting the location of reflections in helicopter cockpits and other vehicular applications. The reflections that occur on the windscreens of tactical and commercial aircraft caused by internal light sources, e.g. lighted pushbuttons, lightplates, and CRT displays can significantly degrade pilot visual performance. Cockpit designers utilize numerous methods to control reflections including; light sources orientation, incorporation of glareshields and baffles, and installation of micro-louvered films over lighted components. Typically though, reflections cannot be analyzed until a prototype cockpit is produced or a full-scale mockup of the cockpit is constructed. Design of reflection control features consequently suffers due to their late incorporation into the cockpit configuration. Boeing Helicopters and Boeing Computer Services have developed a computer based approach to predicting cockpit reflections, which eliminates the need for physical mockups for this task. The program is implemented in CATIA (registered trademark Dassault Systems) which is the three dimensional CADCAM system currently employed at Boeing. The scope of this paper is not limited to the CATIA application of reflection prediction alone, but also examines the mathematics and general principles of reflection.