Flight Simulation - Wide Angle Collimated Display Systems

Collimating Displays have been in existence for at least 30 years. Some credit Singer-Link with developing the first collimating display for training a pilot with a more realistic visual display system that included a television monitor being reflected off a beam splitter and onto a concave spherical mirror, the positioning of which provided the observer with light rays that were essentially collimated. Many companies have since manufactured collimating displays in various configurations: "Stand-Alone" - single "window" systems. Also closely positioned or "Juxtaposed" multi-window and In-contact multi window or "Zero-Gap" systems. Most of these systems were phased out with the advent of flat panel CRT's and then flat panel LCD monitors were developed. Most simulation companies did not have the skills and resources to develop a monitor of high enough resolution and great enough curve to allow for effective collimation of the light emitted by the monitor. With no new developments of monitors for this type system, simulation moved on to other displays. DOTI decided not to offer a display in competition with its own customers. With the relinquishment of this field of interest by all known DOTI customers, it was decided that we should fill this void. We believe that, with the right price point and the right features, Collimators can compete very successfully with other display options. DOTI has designed and built its first prototype collimator utilizing a precision mirror, custom projection screen, and MIL-SPEC beam splitter. DOTI's second generation collimator is due to be launched at mid-2011. Check back for more details... Picture coming soon!

These mirrors (LEFT) depict a display assembled by a DOTI customer from mirrors we custom manufactured for them. One of the significant project considerations dealt with minimizing the gap between adjacent mirrors so that small mirror segments could be used in large flight simulation displays, without the usual expense of manufacturing fewer mirrors of greater dimensions. DOTI has cooperated with this customer on several mirror projects for different Flight Simulation Projects.