Today’s Technical Control Center

Abstract

As the flight test community moves into the 21st century, the ever increasing demand for higher telemetry data rates and the need to transport additional data types is becoming the challenge of every flight test range. The evolution of the flight test range has grown from low telemetry data rates and a few 2400 baud tracking sources into high-speed telemetry, GPS based tracking, networking, digital video, and more. Recognizing the need to change the way data is managed has resulted in an effort to redefine the work centers at the Air Force Flight Test Center (AFFTC) at Edwards AFB. The Technical Control Center (TCC) within the Ridley Mission Control Center at Edwards AFB is currently being relocated with the intent of achieving tomorrow’s vision, while supporting the missions of today. One major goal of this redefinition is the elimination of as much analog transmission equipment as possible in favor of digital transmission. The new digital range requires management of data and allocation of that management in different ways than the past. Moving to an all-digital range has advantages that are just now being realized. This paper outlines the current and future design, configuration, maintenance, and operation of the TCC and touches on how some of the other range functions are impacted. In addition, the challenges and benefits of implementing the next generation in range communications will be discussed.