COMBINING GPS AND PACKETIZED TELEMETRY CONCEPTS TO FORM A WIDE AREA DATA MULTIPLEX SYSTEM

Abstract

As testing requirements on the ranges require ever more sophisticated cross correlation of data from multiple data acquisition sources, it becomes increasingly advantageous to collect and disseminate this information in a more network oriented fashion. This allows any of the data collected at physically separated sites to be used simultaneously at multiple mission control or data reduction centers. This paper presents an approach that maximizes the use of legacy communication paths and data reduction systems to support an evolutionary migration toward the day when testing can take full advantage of commercial communication protocols and equipment such as OC-3, ATM, etc. One key element of this approach is the packetizing of data at each reception point to provide virtual circuit switching using packet routing. Based on the newly adopted IRIG/RCC 107-98 standard, the system may even be expanded all the way back to the actual sensors. The second key element is the use of the readily available time and timing pulses based on GPS to establish a uniform sampling interval that will allow the cross correlation of data received at different points spread over a wide area.