Identification of Nonlinear Motion Perception Dynamics Using Time-Domain Pilot Modeling

A method to estimate nonlinear dynamics in pilot manual control behavior is described, and it is applied to estimating the magnitude of vestibular thresholds from experimental tracking data. The three-step identification procedure uses time-domain manual tracking data to identify the parameters of a multimodal pilot model that includes a nonlinear absolute motion perception threshold. The procedure is evaluated using experimental data and pilot model simulations. To vary the fraction of the applied simulator motion that is below threshold and the possible effects of the vestibular threshold on the adopted control strategy, values of 0.25, 0.5.0.75, and 1 for the motion cueing gain Were evaluated. For both the experimental and simulation data, the identification method yields the most consistent and accurate results for the unity motion gain. Reliable estimates of pilot motion perception thresholds from active manual tracking data require sufficient excitation of the vestibular modality.