Effects of Motion Filter Parameters on Simulation Fidelity Ratings

An experiment at NASA Ames' Vertical Motion Simulator (VMS) evaluated simulation motion fidelity using a Bob-up task with a UH60 Blackhawk helicopter model. The experiment used ten different motion cueing configurations that varied the motion gain and washout frequency in the high-pass motion filter located between the aircraft math model and motion system. Ideally the actual aircraft would represent the Baseline configuration, however this can be a prohibitive constraint. The VMS' large motion envelop enabled an unfiltered, one-to-one, motion configuration as a surrogate for the actual aircraft. The Simulation Fidelity Rating (SFR) scale developed by the University of Liverpool and the Canadian National Research Council was used to subjectively rate the motion fidelity. The SFR scale requires the pilot to subjectively compare their performance and technique adaptation in the simulator to that of a baseline. All but two of the configurations tested were characterized as "Fidelity Warrants Improvement" on the SFR scale. The only configuration assessed as "Fit for Purpose" on the SFR scale was the Baseline configuration. The results from the technique adaptation portion of the SFR ratings showed some similarities with the Modified Sinacori Criteria. This indicates that the pilot's technique adaptation level in the simulator may be predicted based on motion filter parameters.