[CORRECT AS IS]AMPCD for the last many updates; brightness knob not functioning

[fitness88]

The AMPCD (Advanced Multi-Purpose Color Display) for the last many updates [more than a year] has had a non-functioning brightness knob.

I realize there is a functioning contrast and gain control but it does not replace a functioning brightness control.

 

It used to work prior to being broken over a year ago, why has this been missed for so long?

 

Is a fix planned?

 

 

Thank you.

[imacken]

The contrast control does nothing either AFAICS.

[Tholozor]

At the moment, use the GAIN and SYM rockers to control map and symbology brightness, respectively.

[Harker]

The contrast control does nothing either AFAICS.

 

The contrast only changes in Night mode.

[fitness88]

 

The contrast only changes in Night mode.

 

Yes I had noticed that a little while ago...it helps but would still like the brightness fix.

[BIGNEWY]

I have questioned this with the team before and have been told it is correct as is based on information we have. 

 

If anyone has any different evidence please PM me.

[BarTzi]

On 11/27/2020 at 8:40 AM, fitness88 said:

 

Yes I had noticed that a little while ago...it helps but would still like the brightness fix.

When set to 'DAY', the AMPCD brightness control knob is set to auto (which means it will automatically try to react to ambient light changes in the cockpit) as long as the map is displayed. If you wish to change the brightness manually, you have to turn the moving map off. That is intended.

[fitness88]

18 hours ago, BarTzi said:

When set to 'DAY', the AMPCD brightness control knob is set to auto (which means it will automatically try to react to ambient light changes in the cockpit) as long as the map is displayed. If you wish to change the brightness manually, you have to turn the moving map off. That is intended.

What's being said here seems strange.  The AMPCD brightness can only work when the AMPCD map is turned off.  After making the brightness changes with the map off, when enabling the map again the brightness appears not to have changed.  And this is by design because the map brightness will only react to ambient light not to the brightness knob?  This seems counter intuitive since the AMPCD is map specific and ambient lighting is constantly changing which means sometimes I can make out the map and sometimes not.

[fitness88]

Please note 2.13.4.1.2 below from NATOPS

2.13.4.1.1 Brightness Selector Knob. Placing this rotary knob to OFF prevents the indicator from
operating. Placing the knob to NIGHT provides a lower brightness control range (with three settings)
and no automatic contrast control. The knob in the AUTO position allows automatic brightness control
circuits to compensate display brightness for changes in ambient lighting. Turning the knob to DAY
provides a higher brightness control range with no automatic contrast control.
2.13.4.1.2 Brightness Control. This knob varies the intensity of the presentation.

[BarTzi]

33 minutes ago, fitness88 said:

Please note 2.13.4.1.2 below from NATOPS

2.13.4.1.1 Brightness Selector Knob. Placing this rotary knob to OFF prevents the indicator from
operating. Placing the knob to NIGHT provides a lower brightness control range (with three settings)
and no automatic contrast control. The knob in the AUTO position allows automatic brightness control
circuits to compensate display brightness for changes in ambient lighting. Turning the knob to DAY
provides a higher brightness control range with no automatic contrast control.
2.13.4.1.2 Brightness Control. This knob varies the intensity of the presentation.

 

 

Checking NATOPS is indeed the right way. However, when reading about the displays it's important to note our hornet has the AMPCD, and as a result we should refer to the sections that detail the brightness control for the AMPCD only. Therefore, check 2.13.4.6.1 -2.13.4.6.5 instead.

 

2.13.4.6.1 Off/Brightness Control. This rotary switch is located in the upper center of the AMPCD
and is used to turn the AMPCD off (OFF position selected) or to select the brightness level. The
brightness control is enabled only when a mono raster display from the DMS is displayed; otherwise
the brightness control is disabled. If the brightness control is actuated while disabled, an AUTO legend
appears at 200% size to the left of the display center and is removed 5 seconds after the switch is
released. If the brightness control is operating, a variable number from 0 to 9 appears at 200% size to
the right of the AUTO legend to indicate the current intensity setting and is removed 5 seconds after
the switch is released.

2.13.4.6.2 Night/Day Brightness Selector. This rocker switch is located in the upper left corner of
the AMPCD and is used to select the lower brightness control (night) range and disable automatic
contrast control (NITE position selected) or to select the higher brightness control (day) range (DAY
position selected). When NITE is selected, the display is NVG compatible and contrast may be
manually adjusted with the contrast control. When DAY is selected, automatic brightness control is
disabled and display brightness may be manually adjusted with the brightness control. However, if a
color display (digital map) is selected, the automatic brightness control circuits are automatically
engaged.

2.13.4.6.3 Symbology Control. This rocker switch is located in the upper right corner of the
AMPCD. Momentary actuations of the upper half of the switch incrementally narrows the symbology,
making it sharper and dimmer. Momentary actuations of the lower half incrementally widens the
symbology, making it brighter and less sharp. If the switch is held in either position, the symbology is
continuously adjusted to the upper or lower limits.

2.13.4.6.4 Gain Control. This rocker switch is located in the lower left corner of the AMPCD.
Momentary actuations of the upper half of the switch incrementally increases background video
brightness. Momentary actuations of the lower half incrementally decreases video brightness. If the
switch is held in either position, the gain is continuously adjusted to the upper or lower limits.

2.13.4.6.5 Contrast Control. This rocker switch is located in the lower right corner of the AMPCD.
Momentary actuations of the upper half of the switch incrementally increase the contrast of the
display. Momentary actuations of the lower half incrementally decrease the contrast of the display. If
the switch is held in either position, the contrast is continuously adjusted to the upper or lower limits.
When the contrast control is operated, a variable number from 0 to 9 appears at 200% size to the right
of the display center to indicate the current contrast setting. Five seconds after the switch is released,
this number is removed.
 

Edited December 3, 2020 by BarTzi

[fitness88]

1 hour ago, BarTzi said:

 

Checking NATOPS is indeed the right way. However, when reading about the displays it's important to note our hornet has the AMPCD, and as a result we should refer to the sections that detail the brightness control for the AMPCD only. Therefore, check 2.13.4.6.1 -2.13.4.6.5 instead.

 

2.13.4.6.1 Off/Brightness Control. This rotary switch is located in the upper center of the AMPCD
and is used to turn the AMPCD off (OFF position selected) or to select the brightness level. The
brightness control is enabled only when a mono raster display from the DMS is displayed; otherwise
the brightness control is disabled. If the brightness control is actuated while disabled, an AUTO legend
appears at 200% size to the left of the display center and is removed 5 seconds after the switch is
released. If the brightness control is operating, a variable number from 0 to 9 appears at 200% size to
the right of the AUTO legend to indicate the current intensity setting and is removed 5 seconds after
the switch is released.

2.13.4.6.2 Night/Day Brightness Selector. This rocker switch is located in the upper left corner of
the AMPCD and is used to select the lower brightness control (night) range and disable automatic
contrast control (NITE position selected) or to select the higher brightness control (day) range (DAY
position selected). When NITE is selected, the display is NVG compatible and contrast may be
manually adjusted with the contrast control. When DAY is selected, automatic brightness control is
disabled and display brightness may be manually adjusted with the brightness control. However, if a
color display (digital map) is selected, the automatic brightness control circuits are automatically
engaged.

 

Thanks for this good read follow-up it explains exactly how it should be working.

 

[Noluck]

Thanks for that NATOPS reference, very much appreciated.

 

Hopefully ED puts this into the manual, or Chucks guide.

 

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