b'70 IAH INFO TECHNOLOGYPHOTO: FORD AV Early plans called for 4K video, but as the design advanced, engineers realized that the extreme width and relatively short height of the Oculus required a non-standard resolution. There were a number of design changes and technical challenges that we had to work through to make that a reality, because most video processing equipment cant handle non-standard resolutions. So we had to rework the infrastructure, Warren explains. The environment within the International Central Processor required fine-tuning regarding light and contrast. Though partly sheltered from direct sun, the Oculus sits in a naturally bright area. Light sensors and content variations allow IAH to balance brightness for daytime and evening conditions and keep imagery vibrant but comfortable to the eye.Building, Testing and ValidationEach section of the display connects to anBurns Engineering built multi-stage extensive network of cables, redundant controlcommissioning into the project plans. wiring and synchronized video servers.Stepwise, parallel testing was included as part of the procurement process, and MechanicalOculus, explainsMeier explains. This provided checkpoints EngineeringDan Rossborough,to ensure specific display, content teams worked todirector of themanagement and content elements were develop the customSpecial Projectstracking and providing feedback with componentry requiredGroup witheach other. A highly collaborative process to match the designNanolumens. among engineering, integration and intent, explainscreative teams sharing constant feedback Long-termhelped confirm that system components Todd Alan Green, theTODD ALAN GREEN durability was a coreDAN ROSSBOROUGH operated precisely as intended.companys globaldesign requirement, and the system director of Airports and Transportation.includes both passive and active coolingPrior to installation, every component Due to the complexity, Nanolumensfor stable operation in Houstons hot,was prototyped and tested in multiple designed both the video surface and itshumid climate. Nanolumens modularenvironments. Gentilhomme used the supporting mount as a unified systemNixel system allows for front-serviceableLED environment in its Montreal studio with a frame to match precisely with theaccess, meaning individual panelsto fine-tune color calibration and server terminals steel and structure. It really hadcan be replaced or serviced withoutsynchronization, ensuring the content to be exact, Warren notes. With such tightdisrupting the surrounding structure,pipeline aligned with the physical display. tolerance requirements, crews had to makesays Green. Combined with remoteThe way content small, precise adjustmentsworking just asystem monitoring through NanoSuite,is designed affects few feet at a timecontinuing this processthis design ensures minimal downtimepixel mapping, the until the entire perimeter was aligned. and proactive maintenance. type of servers, synchronizationEach of those adjustments supportedMeasuring 93 feet long and 16 feet tall,everything, explains an underlying design that was entirelythe Oculus spans more than 226 linearGentilhomme Chief custom. The Oculus consists of eightfeet with a surface area of roughly 1,955Executive Officer and distinct arc sections built from 36 typessquare feet and a resolution of 34,584 byExecutive CreativeTHIBAUT DUVERNEIXof custom polygonal LED tiles. In total,1,416 pixelsnearly 49 million in total.Director Thibaut Duverneix. People think Nanolumens created nine unique NixelThe pixel pitch ranges from 2.0 millimeterscontent is just video, but its way more Series LED frame shapes and fabricatedto 1.4 millimeters, enabling exceptionallythan that. Its infrastructure, engineering 84 discrete LED frames to achievehigh visual detail, says Green.and workflow.the continuous, sculptural form of the January | February 2026AirportImprovement.com'