Meeting Real-Time Telemetry Processing Requirements of the 1990s

Abstract

In 1986, a new generation real-time telemetry processing system was installed at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), CA. This system, known as the Integrated Flight Data Processing System (IFDAPS), was developed by Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) for the Air Force on a five-year cost-plus development contract. The system, as delivered, was very complex and had many of the difficulties associated with a new development. As a result, it needed a number of system modifications to obtain operational status. In addition, significant hardware components were outdated due to the longevity of the contract, resulting in critical reliability and loss performance concerns. This situation was most likely precipitated by an attempt to produce a quantum leap in real-time processing capabilities at Edwards AFB while incompletely projecting future needs. As a result, the system developer was unable to satisfy all the actual requirements in a turn-key system. Because of the initial difficulties in IFDAPS and the rapid growth in technology, a number of incremental upgrades are continuing to be made to the system. The most important modification was a simplification of the system's architectural design. An integrated mission support system simply failed to operate reliably and efficiently in our operational environment which requires support of up to eight real-time missions per day on IFDAPS. This paper describes the major upgrades being performed to IFDAPS to meet flight test program requirements of the 1990s. These upgrades are being accomplished as state-ofthe- art, incremental upgrades instead of full-scale turn-key system developments. Phased developments are proving to be more compatible with operational needs. They can be implemented with more appropriate understanding of the true requirements, and as a result , are developed, tested, and put on-line faster and with a very high success rate.