<title>Multifunction AMLCD in the night-vision environment: goals, strategies, and realities</title>

Abstract

The back-lit Active Matrix-Liquid Crystal Display(AM-LCD) is enjoying increasing popularity as the technology of choice for multi-function displays in next generation air and ground vehicle crew-stations. As the developers of this technology continue to hurdle the present cost and process limitations, it is anticipated that the AM-LCD method will lend itself effectively to all conventional direct view applications. Further, the AM-LCD process does offer a potential growth path toward the panoramic crew stations, possessing large-area, high density (projection mode) and autostereoscopic attributes.It is therefore probable that an all AM-LCD crew-station will become an accepted norm for a broad range of applications within the foreseeable future.In concurrent developments we are experiencing a rapid growth in the pilotage/operations ofmilitary vehicles utilizing night vision aids. The harmonization ofAM-LCD Information Systems with such Night Vision Equipment (NVE) in an optimal fashion poses an interesting challenge for the equipment developer, crew-station designer and ultimately the end-user.Wearenowat thedemonstration phase ofthe firstgeneration ofintegratedAM-LCDINVE systems, which allow all interested parties to appreciate the subtle interplays existing between the two technologies.To further facilitate this optimization process the paper seeks to: -Summarize the basic precepts of the back-lit AM-LCD pertinent to NVE operation -