Performance Testing of the Desdemona Motion System

Abstract

In the spring of 2007 TNO Human Factors together with AMST Systemtechnik GmbH have completed the development of their newest research simulator, the Desdemona, in The Netherlands. The Desdemona research simulator features a unique motion system not seen elsewhere in the world. Its serial design and geometrical dimensions give the motion system a large cylindrical motion space and a broad range of dynamic performance capabilities, which go beyond those of a classical Stewart platform. Like any other motion-base simulator the Desdemona motion system is driven by motion filters that transform the various simulation model outputs into safe and optimal motion cues. For the development of these motion filters it is necessary to exactly determine the dynamic performance characteristics of Desdemona and check whether these characteristics meet the specified motion system requirements. This paper describes the test protocol to measure, specify and verify the dynamic performance characteristics of the Desdemona motion system. The performance test protocol builds upon and extends the classical synergistic motion system test approaches, like the AGARD standard, to suite the specific Desdemona motion system capabilities.