We have included this glossary of technical terms so that you can easily
understand what we are talking about (we hope!).
| Auto Operation |
Operation of a motion platform by Motion
Drive software in harmony with a flight simulation package where control
of the motion platform is entirely by the software. |
| Axis |
A direct of movement of the platform, also
known as a Degree of Freedom (DOF). There are six possible axes of
movement in space - three rotations (Roll, Pitch and Yaw) and three
translations (Heave, Surge and Sway). |
| Axis Adaption |
The modification of drive signals to the
platform according to its position as defined by feedback from sensors
in order to maintain motion cues whilst keeping the platform within
its designed scope of movement. |
| Axis CutOff |
The filtering of extremely high drive signals
that would be inconsistent with accurate motion cues. |
| Axis Intensity |
The modification of potential drive signals
in order to provide accurate motion cues for the type of aircraft
being flown. |
| Bipolar |
Using both positive and negative values
in the range of operation. |
| Control Voltage |
The low voltage supply used to control the power of the motion base
motors/drives. In this case the control voltage is varied between
0 and +5V (unipolar operation) or -2.5V to +2.5V (bipolar operation).
The control voltage being output decrees the amount of drive voltage
suppied to electric motors, or the amount of pressure supplied to
hydraulic/pneunatic systems.
|
| Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC) |
An electronic circuit which converts a series of 8-bit
digital signals, as output by Motion Drive 3.0, into a series of analogue
control voltages. The control voltages are usually in the range 0
to +5V in unipolar mode and -2.5V to +2.5V in bipolar mode.
|
| FSUIPC |
A piece of software developed by Peter Dowson and others which enables
two-way communicate with flight simulations in real time. |
| MMT |
Minimum Movement Threshold. The strength of drive signal
which will just result in movement of the platform. |
| Motion Cues |
The physical movements that a person feels when travelling
in a vehicle. They are replicated by simulator motion systems to provide,
along with the visual display, a sense of realism. |
| Platform Power |
The potential to modify the overall strength of platform
movement either according to the aircraft being flown or the platform
payload. |
| PNRatio |
Positive/Negative Ratio. The ratio which when applied
to drive signals will result in approximately equal movement in either
direction for the same strength of signal, postive and negative. |
| RAT |
Relay Acceptance Threshold. The level of power signal
required just to hold the motor control board relays in an energised
state. |
| Reactivity |
The adjustment of the rate of drive signal delivery
to the platform. |
| Reset |
The step-by-step routine that the platform performs
to set itself back to centre and level position. This routine is manually
invoked. |
| Reset Boost |
The additional amount of reset speed added during the
reset routine to make good any movements away from centre level once
achieved in an axis. |
| Reset Speed |
The sterngth of drive signal consistently used throughout
the reset routine. |
| Unipolar |
Using only positive values within its range of operation |
| USB Modules |
The printed circuits supplied with Motion Drive that
enable connection to take place with and signals to be exchanged between
your PC and your motion platform. |
| Washout |
The action that the platform during running to move
itself back towards centre level position when either not required
to drive actively or when active drive signals would result in subliminal
platform movement if transmitted. |
| Washout Boost |
The additional amount of signal strength added to washout
speed if the platform is washing out from an extreme position, to
assist drives with the additional weight and keep the platform away
from its limts of movement. |
| Washout Speed |
The signal strength used to drive the platform when
it is in washout. |
| Washout Threshold |
The signal strength used as a decision point by the
software to decide whether the platform should be sent drive signals
or washout signals. |
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