Augmented Vision Videopanorama System for Remote Airport Tower Operation

Abstract

In this paper an experimental high resolution video panorama system for remote tower opera-tion (RTO) is described and results of initial field test are reported. The reconstructed far view with integrated zoom function serves as main information source for surface movement management of small airports by a remotely lo-cated tower controller. It provides the frame-work for video-see-through augmented vision by integration of traffic data with object tracking and it allows for panorama replay. Evaluation of field tests yields the effective visual resolution of the 180°-video panorama in agreement with the theoretical prediction. A "foveal" component is provided by the remotely controlled pan-tilt zoom camera with a high resolution exceeding the human eye within an observation angle smaller than 15°.