Onboard 1553 MUX Bus Recording Techniques

Abstract

This paper presents a general overview concerning McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company's experience with the recording of Mil-Std-1553A/B MUX Bus traffic. There are several interesting aspects to this general overview. Included in this paper is a historical development review, a chronological development outline, general methodology involved, past and present application details, and speculation about future application possibilities. The historical background of the Company's 1553 MUX Bus recording efforts are traced - from our earliest involvement up to our current status. Several significant developments have led up to, and contributed to, the present level of experience with 1553 MUX Bus recording technology. A chronological list of important related events is also presented to complement this historical review (See Appendix A). Examples of McDonnell Douglas' applications of 1553 MUX bus recording are highlighted. Several examples are discussed from different related projects. A general overview is presented with regard to methods used by the Company to record 1553 MUX bus traffic. Several projects undertaken have involved new hardware/software development as a result of 1553 MUX bus recording efforts. Mention is also made of the Programmable MUX Bus Monitor - one of the most recent applications of this technology by McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Company. Rounding out this paper is some speculation about the future use considerations for this technology. The Company's experience with 1553 MUX bus recording was initially developed as a result of association with the Higher Harmonic Control aircraft and the AH-64 Apache Helicopter programs. However, once some of the basic techniques were established, and the technology was refined and improved, expansion into other unrelated or indirectly related (to the Apache) project types occurred.