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To: R. Buchanan 

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26 July 1968 

Subject: Use of Anamorphs in From: B. Siegel/H. Bernstein 

Simulator 

I. It is recommended that the simulator optical systems be designed to 

provide maximum performance without anamorphic lenses. The proper 

simulation of field of view at forward look angles provided by the ana - 

morph is more than outweighed by the resulting loss in on-axis resolution 

and by variation'in off-axis field properties. For all tasks requiring a 

high fidelity optical simulation of the ATS, and in particular for activity 

mode simulation, it is our view that use of the anamorphic lens will 

result in incorrect operational procedures and negative training. For 

tasks that do not require a high fidelity optical simulation of the ATS, it 

has not been shown that the anamorphic lens adds anything significant to 

the simulation. We therefore further recommend that the anamorphic 

lens be deleted from the simulation program. 

2. A decision of these matters is urgent, since the first MDS optical train 

is currently being assembled at Itek for delivery at GE in early November. 

3. A more detailed discussion of these matters is attached. 

B. Siegel 

/ R"-"/". 

H. Bernstein 

Attachment 

cc: D. L. DuMond 

F. F. Doppelt 

J. A. Abrahamson 

B. Giordano 

M. Gibbs/E. Jones 

ViANDLE VIA BYE MArq 

tONTROL: SYSTEM ONLY 

)14' F‘414 A" 

,k1St.r.IS . 
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ATTACHMENT 

1. The optical simulation of the ATS, as originally proposed and presently 

configured, includes an anamorphic lens. Such a lens may be used to 

distort input stimulus to provide a proper initial presentation of viewed 

ground area, and if driven during a simulation of ATS tracking, can 

provide simulation of perspective change. 

2, When the present ATS simulation approach was adopted, inclusion of the 

anamorphic lens was made contingent on the results of the bench test. 

There was concern that the anamorphic lens would so degrade image 

quality that valid data on crew performance could not be obtained. 

Bench test data now available indicates that while inclusion of the anamorphic lens at 1:1 power has little effect on optical performance on 

axis, any attempt to use these lenses to properly distort input stimulus 

causes a severe loss in system resolution, image quality and simulation 

fidelity. In particular, we note from the bench test that: 

a. On-axis resolution with 2:1 or 1.7:1 anamorphic power is about onehalf that available with no anamorph or 1:1 anamorphic power and 

does not meet the present resolution specification. These results 

have been obtained by Itek, Air Force and Aerospace personnel. 

Recent data provided by Itek shows even poorer resolution than indicated earlier. 

b. Changing from 1:1 to 2:1 anamorphic power changes reticle plane 

field curvature by several diopters, thus making it impossible to 

simulate the ATS field curvature over a reasonable range of operational 

conditions. 

c. Changing from 1:1 to 2:1 anamorphic power changes off-axis resolution 

variation, thus making it impossible to simulate the ATS off-axis 

resolution variation over a reasonable range of operational conditions. 

d. Light scattering is apparently greatly increased, off axis by changing 

from 1:1 to 2:1 anamorphic power, thus making it impossible to 

properly simulate scene contrast across the apparent field. 

This data indicates that valid information on crew performance cannot 

be obtained if the anamorph is driven during simulation. 

3. The operational factors in favor of anamorphic lens use do not- appear 

sufficient to overcome the concomitant loss in optical simulation fidelity. 

In particular, in regard to simulation of perspective change, we note that: 
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a. Nominal viewing time on the ATS is too short to permit significant 

changes in perspective. 

b. For nominal initial viewing angles (45° stereo), the perspective 

change to nadir is small. 

c. Driving the anamorphic lenses during track causes a continuously 

varying eyepiece field curvature and overall system resolution, 

conditions very different than expected using the ATS on orbit.. 

In regard to initial scene presentation, we note that while the proper 

viewed area can be shown, 

a. The resolution on axis and across the field is not compatible with 

the ATS. 

b. The variation of resolution with slant range is not simulated. 

c. Field curvature is not simulated and varies from scene to scene. 

It has been suggested that, while the anamorph should not be used for 

activity mode simulation, there are crew tasks where scene anamorphism 

is desirable. Unfortunately, no such tasks have been defined to date. In 

particular, for tracking tasks on ATS, perspective or perspective change 

is not significant, because tracking requires concentration on a small portion of the scene. 

4. Despite previous agreements, the simulator optical train is being designed 

to provide maximum performance on axis with the anamorph at 1:1 power. 

We believe that this design approach penalizes system performance without 

the anamorph and cannot be justified on an operational or optical performance basis. The proper approach is to design the optical train for maximum 

performance without anamorph. 

C:11 f;'3 DORM