A MODULAR, LARGE SCALE, INTERACTIVE TELEMETRY DATA ANALYSIS SYSTEM

Abstract

The Test and Evaluation Data Center (TEDC) was originally developed at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company with the objective of providing a data processing facility to support major systems test evaluation. This data center was responsible for the acquisition, reduction (to engineering units), analysis, protection, and management of all (telemetered) test data produced during system integration and test activities. The TEDC was developed as a local area network, consisting of several VAX-11 computers and other commercial off-the-shelf hardware, which could acquire telemetry data at rates greater than 1 Mbps (potentially 4-5 Mbps) and, with rapid turnaround, make it available to a large number of engineering analysts via interactive graphics terminals. This paper discusses the engineering, design, and development of the TEDC, including descriptions of the major algorithms, data structures, and techniques used to optimize its overall performance. Discussion of plans for the evolutionary growth of the system are also included.