PORTABLE TELEMETRY TEST SYSTEM

Abstract

In 1986 the Navy procured Automatic Engineering Read Out (AERO) Telemetry Test Systems to receive, record, process and display telemetry data transmitted from SM-1 and SM-2 STANDARD missiles. AERO systems are self-contained data acquisition systems which are portable for field use, and are capable of receiving missile data, recording the data on analog tape, decommutating data into a computer compatible format, recording data on disk, and displaying processed data on the operator’s terminal. The original design was intended to be versatile and to accommodate future telemeters through software programming, signal switching, unit/module substitution, or add-on equipment. Original missile formats included data rates up to 50,000 data words per second. AERO systems have been used to support field testing of Navy missiles since 1987. In 1989 the AERO system requirements were changed to include support for a new STANDARD missile telemeter which transmits data at much higher rates. The AERO systems have been upgraded to support the new requirement by replacing I/O modules in the host computer, and modifying the control software. The modified system, which is hosted by a low cost DEC MicroVAX computer, records 100 percent of the telemeter data on disk at rates up to 600,000 bytes (300,000 data words) per second, and displays results for quick look review immediately after the missile test. This paper discusses the requirements for the AERO systems, the design philosophy used to ensure an upgradable path, and the benefits of that philosophy when an upgrade was required. The upgrade itself is significant because a low cost MicroVAX has been adapted to a high performance application. The AERO systems were designed, developed and upgraded by Loral Data Systems (formerly Fairchild Weston Data Systems) to the specifications of the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Virginia.