Defense Intelligence Reference Document Cognitive Limits On Simultaneous Control Of Multiple Unmanned Spacecraft

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lapses). Peiris concluded that a built-from-scratch automated system is needed to
identify subtle features, especially in the low-count electrode EEG (5 electrodes). 28
In the definition of complexity, it is important to note that one should not focus entirely
on a single aspect of the ATC task in the laboratory. Donald defines complexity in two
aspects: task complexity independent of the event rate, and ancillary aspects of the job
in a naturalistic environment. The complexity of the task as a whole needs to be
considered instead of focusing on a single aspect such as monitor and detect and the
rate at which this task can be completed. 29
The naturalistic environment was in fact utilized by Brookings in 1996. 30 Moreover, in
situ measurements were conducted by Collet in 2009. 31 Both studies examined TLX
ratings, as well as several ANS variables. Brookings additionally utilized EEG.
In the Brookings study, three simulated TRACON sessions were conducted. The first
session varied traffic volume between low, medium and high levels, while the second
session varied task complexity at a constant rate of aircraft. The third scenario was
conducted with an overwhelming number of aircraft, the goal being to take
physiological data in the condition where situational awareness is lost.k
The traffic load variance session lasted 45 minutes with three 15-minute sessions where
the controller was required to handle 6, 12, and 18 aircra~; the order of presentation
was counterbalanced across subjects. Other complexity factors, such as the ratio of
overflights, arrivals, and departures, were kept constant.
In the complexity variation session, the number of aircraft was kept constant at 12,
while various complicating factors were modulated. Changing complexity factors
included:
• Altering the ratio of arriving to departing and flyover traffic.
• Changing the probability that a pilot didn't hear or failed to execute a controller's
instruction.
• Increasing or decreasing the heterogeneity of aircraft type.
In the overload session, 15 aircra~ were presented in 5 minutes.
Physiological variables monitored included heart activity using two electrodes on the
chest, EOG using electrodes around the eyes, 1 respiration using elastic transducer bands,
and 19 channels of EEG using a cap outfitted with a standard 10-20 configuration.m
Task performance points were awarded for successfully handing aircra~, minus any
points for operational errors such as separation conflicts, hand-off errors, and missed
approaches. TLX ratings were recorded between workload conditions during a designed
!-minute lull in traffic. The simulation was considered quite difficult, even for
professional Air Force ATC, and participants were required to practice until they didn't
k In colloquial terms, ATC call this "losing the picture."
1 Electrodes are pointed out here as more recent methodology could use infra-red optical devices to record heart
and ocular activity.
01 The standard 10-20 configuration refers to electrodes every 10%/20% of the total distance between right-
left/anterior-posterior anatomical markers. A 10·10 configuration would include twice the electrodes, etc.
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