A Hybrid Data Acquisition Architecture on the CH-53K Program

Abstract

As today's flight test programs need for sensor and bus data continue to increase, there has been associated requirements to provide modern system output products and support higher encoder data rates. The CH-53K Heavy Lift Replacement (HLR) Program is an example in which the instrumentation data requirements have increased significantly over previous helicopter programs and necessitated the introduction of new technologies and capabilities. The CH-53K Program utilizes a hybrid system architecture that combines the benefits of legacy PCM and modern networked system architectures. The system provides for maintaining the required system-wide synchronized sampling capabilities, while providing real-time data access and system control over a vehicle network. Serial Streaming Telemetry (SST)-to-vNET Adapters are employed to enable many of these capabilities. This paper describes the instrumentation requirements for the CH-53K program and the features, tools and performance of its data acquisition system - which addressed all requirements while minimizing the overall impact to the existing instrumentation infrastructure.