Browse Topic: Electronic warfare

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Development of a Procedure to Correlate, Validate and Confirm Radar Characteristics of Surrogate Targets for ADAS Testing2020-01-07164/14/2020
Surrogate targets are used throughout the automotive industry to safely and repeatably test Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and will likely find similar applications in tests of Automated Driving Systems. For those test results to be applicable to real-world scenarios, the surrogate targets must be representative of the real-world objects that they emulate. Early target development efforts were generally divided into those that relied on sophisticated radar measurement facilities and those that relied on ad-hoc measurements using automotive grade equipment. This situation made communication and interpretation of results between research groups, target developers and target users difficult. SAE J3122, “Test Target Correlation - Radar Characteristics”, was developed by the SAE Active Safety Systems Standards Committee to address this and other challenges associated with target development and use. J3122 addresses four topics. First, it describes standardized equipment and procedures for making various types of calibrated radar measurements using automotive grade equipment, with minimal measurement site restrictions. Second, a correlation procedure is provided that is used to define validity regions and properties of representative real-world objects. Third, a validation procedure is provided for comparing candidate targets against measurements of representative objects using an objective correlation score. Finally, a confirmation procedure is provided for checking in-use targets to verify that they continue to be acceptable for testing. This paper describes each of these topics as well as the process development.
Silberling, Jordan, Nicols, George, Buller, William, Lenkeit, John
Electronic Warfare WeaponTBMG-360682/1/2020
MBDA Hertfordshire, UK +44 (0)1438 752000
Unmanned Helicopter DroneTBMG-3535810/1/2019
UAVOS Inc. Mountain View, CA 650-584-3176 www.UAVOS.com
Facility Focus: Georgia Tech Research InstituteTBMG-351429/1/2019
The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) in Atlanta, GA. Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI supports eight laboratories in more than 20 locations around the country and performs more than $370 million of research annually for government and industry.
Potential Army Repurposing of Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) Products for the Electronic Warfare, Tactical EnvironmentF-0075-2019-145475/13/2019
The miniaturization of Digital RF Memory (DRFM) products is paving the way for a new generation of military products with tactical missions never before considered. Although DRFM products have been available and used in various capacities for many years, a reduction in size, weight, power, and cooling (SWAP-C) will allow the repurposing of an already proven technology.
Menees, Brenda
High-Performance, Current-Steering Digital-to-Analog ConverterTBMG-343955/1/2019
A current-steering digital-to-analog converter (DAC) was developed that achieves improved switching times (up to 75% faster) in high-speed (gigahertz), high-resolution (8-14 bits) applications resulting in improvement of spurious free dynamic range (SFDR).
Bringing RF into the Embedded World: It's TimeTBMG-3302610/1/2018
Embedded systems have been almost entirely digital throughout their long history, while RF and microwave technologies were separate subsystems with no effective interface between the two. For many reasons, this “RF/digital divide” should finally be connected.
Tech Briefs: October 201818AERP1010/1/2018
Detecting Drones with Doppler-Based Radar Digital Transformation for a Connected Enterprise Using Electromagnetic Brakes to Keep Thrust Reversers in Place Thermostatic Solutions for Temperature Control Applications Bringing RF into the Embedded World: It's Time Compact Power Amplifier Solution for Electronic Warfare Burner Rig Testing of A500® C/SiC Test method simulates, in a laboratory environment, the service conditions ceramic-matrix composite material would experience in turbine engine exhaust applications. Space Debris Orbit and Attitude Prediction for Enhanced and Efficient Space Situational Awareness Developing accurate models to predict the behavior of manmade debris in space could be the key to preventing collisions with satellites. Maintaining Enterprise Resiliency Via Kaleidoscopic Adaption and Transformation of Software Services (MEERKATS) Implementing new technologies to create a more resilient, secure cloud computing environment. Fundamental Aspects of Single Molecule and Zeptomole Electroanalysis Using the principles of electro-analytical chemistry to detect target molecules at very low concentration with high specificity, simplicity, and low power.
High-Performance Computing for the Next-Generation Combat Vehicle18AERP09_059/1/2018
The development of the Next-Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) will require technological advancements in many areas, including lethality, protection, autonomy, human-agent teaming, and electromagnetic capabilities. What ties all of these future capabilities together is the need for vast computational resources to support the artificial intelligence (AI) implicit in bringing these advancements to the battlefield. The operating environment of the NGCV will be such that communications will be severely limited, if available at all; systems will be under constant cyber-attack; and adversarial AI may be actively attempting to deceive all sensors - all occurring under severe size, weight, power, and time-available constraints. These factors, and more, are the motivation for developing a strategy of mobile High-Performance Computing (HPC) for the NGCV. Future military vehicles will require capabilities beyond autonomous maneuverability, including intelligence analytics and situational understanding, to achieve autonomous operation. Military vehicles must maneuver over and around obstructions, predict and react to various soil conditions, and operate with and adapt to damage well beyond the demands of commercial vehicles. With ever-increasing computational and communications resources placed on vehicles, there is attendant heat generation/rejection and radio frequency (RF) emission. Signature management, at least for infrared and RF, needs to be a consideration from the outset, rather than an issue to be resolved after the fact.
Henz, Brian J., Shires, Dale
Digital Radar Warning ReceiverTBMG-290816/1/2018
Northrop Grumman Corporation Falls Church, VA 703-280-2900
New Pulse Analysis Techniques for Radar and EWTBMG-290906/1/2018
Pulsed signals are widespread in radar and other electronic warfare (EW) applications, and they must be accurately measured for manufacturing, design of countermeasures, and threat assessment; however, pulse measurements are an especially challenging area for signal analysis due to these factors:
Electric versus Hydraulic Flight Controls: Assessing Power Consumption and Waste Heat Using Stochastic System Methods2017-01-20369/19/2017
Of all aircraft power and thermal loads, flight controls can be the most challenging to quantify because they are highly variable. Unlike constant or impulsive loads, actuator power demands more closely resemble random processes. Some inherent nonlinearities complicate this even further. Actuation power consumption and waste heat generation are both sensitive to input history. But control activity varies considerably with mission segment, turbulence and vehicle state. Flight control is a major power consumer at times, so quantifying power demand and waste heat is important for sizing power and thermal management system components. However, many designers sidestep the stochastic aspects of the problem initially, leading to overly conservative system sizing. The overdesign becomes apparent only after detailed flight simulations become available. These considerations are particularly relevant in trade studies comparing electric versus hydraulic actuation. These two actuation types use power in fundamentally different ways. This paper provides methods to quantify power consumption and waste heat, by applying stochastic system methods. Both electric (electromechanical and electrohydrostatic) and conventional hydraulic actuation are discussed. Formulas are derived to quantify average and peak power demand. A complete set of waste heat mechanisms is also discussed, and methods are provided to quantify each one. For electric actuation, a method is provided to estimate regenerative power. Approximate methods are also addressed, to facilitate quick engineering estimates. In addition, the physical locations of waste heat generation are identified because these can impact thermal management system architecture.
Schley, William
Microwave Photonic Notch FilterTBMG-273798/1/2017
Interference mitigation is crucial in modern radio frequency (RF) communications systems with dynamically changing operating frequencies, such as cognitive radios, modern military radar, and electronic warfare (EW) systems. To protect sensitive RF receivers in these systems, frequency agile RF filters that can remove interferers or jammers with large variations in frequency, power, and bandwidth are critically sought. Unfortunately, an RF bandstop or notch filter that can simultaneously provide high resolution, high peak attenuation, large frequency tuning, and bandwidth reconfigurability does not presently exist. Microwave photonic (MWP) filters are capable of tens of gigahertz tuning and have advanced in terms of performance, but most are limited in stopband rejection due to the challenge in creating a high-quality-factor optical resonance used as the optical filter. To achieve MWP filters with similar performance to state-of-the-art RF filters in terms of isolation bandwidth and rejection is still very challenging, especially in compact integrated photonic chip footprint.
Microwave Photonic Notch Filter Helps Ensure Critical Mission Success17AERP08_056/1/2017
Interference mitigation is crucial in modern radio frequency (RF) communications systems with dynamically changing operating frequencies, such as cognitive radios, modern military radar, and electronic warfare (EW) systems. To protect sensitive RF receivers in these systems, frequency agile RF filters that can remove interferers or jammers with large variations in frequency, power, and bandwidth are critically sought. Unfortunately, an RF bandstop or notch filter that can simultaneously provide high resolution, high peak attenuation, large frequency tuning, and bandwidth reconfigurability does not presently exist. Microwave photonic (MWP) filters are capable of tens of gigahertz tuning and have advanced in terms of performance, but most are limited in stopband rejection due to the challenge in creating a high-quality-factor optical resonance used as the optical filter. To achieve MWP filters with similar performance to state-of-the-art RF filters in terms of isolation bandwidth and rejection is still very challenging, especially in compact integrated photonic chip footprint. Microwave photonic filters based on stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) have shown excellent properties in terms of high resolution and extinction. Although efficiently generated in soft glasses such as chalcogenides, there is a strong demand to harness SBS in silicon, a material platform that supports large-scale integration between photonics and electronics. For the CMOS-compatible silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform, SBS has been elusive. The low elastic mismatch between the silicon core and the silicon dioxide substrate results in weak acoustic confinement, preventing buildup of the SBS process.
Aerospace & Defense Technology: April 201717AERP044/6/2017
Designing Electronic Warfare to Regain Airborne Military Dominance Certifying Composite Designs for Aerospace and Defense Electric Rockets and the Future of Satellite Propulsion Flat Cable Technology for Aerospace Applications XPONENTIAL 2017 – An AUVSI Experience Pulse Analysis Techniques for Radar and Electronic Warfare Reconfigurable Radio Tracks Flights Worldwide Development of an Optically Modulated Scatterer Probe for a Near-Field Measurement System Using Dempster-Shafer Fusion for Personnel Intrusion Detection Angular Random Walk Estimation of a Time-Domain Switching Micromachined Gyroscope Using Fisher Information Criteria for Chemical Sensor Selection via Convex Optimization Methods Luminescence Materials as Nanoparticle Thermal Sensors
Designing Electronic Warfare to Regain Airborne Military Dominance17AERP04_014/1/2017
For decades, military aircraft have relied on electronic warfare (EW) solutions to protect assets and dominate airspace. The ability of the United States to detect and track aircraft, or avoid detection has played a major role in its ability to project power globally and maintain freedom of operation in the air. Today, that dominance is being challenged given the rapid advancements in, and widespread availability of, technology for adversaries. In order to make the best use of finite resources, EW solutions must be designed with a focus on flexibility and adaptability to meet quickly shifting threats today and in the future.
Development of an Optically Modulated Scatterer Probe for a Near-Field Measurement SystemTBMG-266784/1/2017
Near-field radiation patterns are useful in diagnosing antenna array defects, measuring far-field antenna patterns where the far-field is prohibitively far, and locating field concentrations in high power microwave applications, which could lead to material breakdown. There are two categories of near-field measurements: direct and indirect. In a direct measurement, the field from the antenna-under-test (AUT) is directly measured by a probe whereas, in an indirect measurement, the field is inferred from the scattering off of a probe that is placed in the near-field.
Pulse Analysis Techniques for Radar and Electronic Warfare17AERP04_064/1/2017
Pulsed signals are widespread in radar and other electronic warfare (EW) applications, and they must be accurately measured for manufacturing, design of countermeasures, and threat assessment. Pulse measurements are an especially challenging area for signal analysis due to a combination of factors. Fortunately, many of the improving signal processing and analog-digital conversion technologies behind the generation of complex pulse environments also enable new techniques for effective pulse analysis. In the past, basic pulse measurements generally were made with swept spectrum analyzers. The intermediate frequency (IF) bandwidth or resolution bandwidth (RBW) of the spectrum analyzer was generally narrower than the effective bandwidth of the pulse, so the spectrum analyzer was used to measure the resulting pulse spectrum. The pulse spectrum could then be used to measure basic signal characteristics such as pulse repetition rate or interval (PRI), duty cycle, power, etc. Spectrum analyzers were also used in more traditional ways to make out-of-band measurements such as spurious and harmonics of pulsed signals.
Development of an Optically Modulated Scatterer Probe for a Near-Field Measurement System17AERP04_084/1/2017
Using near-field radiation patterns to diagnose antenna array defects. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC Near-field radiation patterns are useful in diagnosing antenna array defects, measuring far-field antenna patterns where the far-field is prohibitively far, and locating field concentrations in high power microwave applications, which could lead to material breakdown. There are two categories of near-field measurements: direct and indirect. In a direct measurement, the field from the antenna-under-test (AUT) is directly measured by a probe whereas, in an indirect measurement, the field is inferred from the scattering off of a probe that is placed in the near-field. A simple direct measurement method is to use an open-ended waveguide connected to a network analyzer as the receiver. The near-field is measured by spatially scanning either the AUT or the receiver. Reflections off of background objects can be filtered out in the time domain. For array applications, antennas that are smaller than the open-ended waveguide must be used to achieve spacing less than a half wavelength. An array of time-domain sensors has been demonstrated using loop antennas. The metal transmission line from the probe can perturb the very-near-field making the direct measurement approach less favorable than the indirect measurement approach.
Designing Electronic Warfare to Regain Airborne Military DominanceTBMG-266804/1/2017
For decades, military aircraft have relied on electronic warfare (EW) solutions to protect assets and dominate airspace. The ability of the United States to detect and track aircraft, or avoid detection has played a major role in its ability to project power globally and maintain freedom of operation in the air.
Pulse Analysis Techniques for Radar and Electronic WarfareTBMG-266734/1/2017
Pulsed signals are widespread in radar and other electronic warfare (EW) applications, and they must be accurately measured for manufacturing, design of countermeasures, and threat assessment. Pulse measurements are an especially challenging area for signal analysis due to a combination of factors. Fortunately, many of the improving signal processing and analog-digital conversion technologies behind the generation of complex pulse environments also enable new techniques for effective pulse analysis.
Advanced Simulation TechnologyTBMG-2610112/1/2016
RGB Spectrum Alameda, CA 510-814-7000
Using High Bandwidth Oscilloscopes to Analyze Radar and Electronic Warfare SystemsTBMG-2609212/1/2016
Whether for multi-channel analysis, or for wider analysis bandwidth in a measurement, high bandwidth oscilloscopes offer an alternative to traditional spectrum and signal analyzers for both pulsed RF aerospace/defense and I/Q vector modulated communications application measurements. Signals with spectral content beyond 1 or 2 GHz are now being created to support the higher resolution requirements in radar systems and to move the vast amounts of information in new communications systems.
Aerospace & Defense Technology: December 201616AERP1212/1/2016
Additive Manufacturing How 3D Printing Will Transform the A&D Support Chain Advances in Lightweight Electronics Protection Conformal Coatings Increase Reliability of Aerospace and Military Assemblies Powering Outer Space An In-Depth Look at Aerospace Battery Technology Using High Bandwidth Oscilloscopes to Analyze Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems Bio-inspired Airborne Infrastructure Reconfiguration (BioAIR) EMI Analysis Software Helps Telescope Group Simulate RFI Mitigation Epitaxial Growth of Rhenium with Sputtering Processing and Characterization of Polycrystalline YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) Core-Clad Fibers Multi-Scale Analysis of Deformation and Failure in Polycrystalline Titanium Alloys Under High Strain Rates Abrasion Testing of Products Containing Nanomaterials Spectrum Fatigue of 7075-T651 Aluminum Alloy under Overloading and Underloading
ANALYZING RADAR SIGNALS WITH DEMODULATION16AERP08_048/1/2016
In the electronic warfare milieu, one of the most common RF applications is that of radar systems. Radar, which uses RF energy to determine the range, angle, and/or velocity of objects, detects aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain, among other things. An oscilloscope's demodulation math function is very helpful in analysis of radar signals, so let's look at a couple of examples of how to approach such measurements.
Analyzing Radar Signals with DemodulationTBMG-252428/1/2016
In the electronic warfare milieu, one of the most common RF applications is that of radar systems. Radar, which uses RF energy to determine the range, angle, and/or velocity of objects, detects aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain, among other things. An oscilloscope's demodulation math function is very helpful in analysis of radar signals, so let's look at a couple of examples of how to approach such measurements.
Aerospace & Defense Technology: April 201616AERP044/1/2016
Electronic Warfare Next Generation FPGAs for Electronic Warfare Systems Materials: Composites Managing the Impact of Nanomaterials in Aerospace Manufacturing Aerospace Materials/Manufacturing Turbine Flow Meters Alternative Power Sources Designing a Power Generation System for a More-Electric Aircraft
Electronic Warfare16AERP04_014/1/2016
NEXT GENERATION FPGAS FOR ELECTRONIC WARFARE SYSTEMS Designers of virtually all electronic warfare system applications exploit CPUs and FPGAs, each offering unique strengths and advantages for handling a wide range of tasks. This diversity arises from fundamental differences in the devices. FPGAs consist of hardware logic, registers, memories, adders, multipliers and interfaces connected together by the user to perform a specific function. CPUs consist of ALUs, instruction execution engines, cache memory, dedicated I/O and memory ports all connected in a fixed architecture, whose resources are driven by program execution. Electronic warfare systems impose some of the toughest restrictions on latency within the landscape of military electronics. For example, systems to defeat RCIEDs (radio controlled improvised explosive devices) must identify a signal that could detonate the device, and then immediately disable that communication through countermeasures. Essential tasks in the chain from receiving the signal, analyzing it, deciding which countermeasure to deploy, and then transmitting the jamming signal at the correct frequency and bandwidth, all must conform to an extremely strict time schedule. Thus, orchestrating the necessary FPGA and CPU resources becomes a critical design effort.
Next Generation FPGAs for Electronic Warfare SystemsTBMG-243864/1/2016
Designers of virtually all electronic warfare system applications exploit CPUs and FPGAs, each offering unique strengths and advantages for handling a wide range of tasks. This diversity arises from fundamental differences in the devices. FPGAs consist of hardware logic, registers, memories, adders, multipliers and interfaces connected together by the user to perform a specific function. CPUs consist of ALUs, instruction execution engines, cache memory, dedicated I/O and memory ports all connected in a fixed architecture, whose resources are driven by program execution.
Game-Based Naval TrainingTBMG-226588/1/2015
Office of Naval Research Arlington, VA 703-696-5031
Electronic Warfare TechnologyTBMG-218814/1/2015
Military electronic warfare (EW) systems including navigation, radar guidance, terrain mapping and others, require lightweight compact components, with radio frequency (RF) output power levels to several kilowatts typically needed to meet system requirements. As GaN transistor technology advances in frequency and power output, solid state power amplifiers (SSPAs) have begun replacing traveling wave tubes (TWTs) at frequencies up to 6 GHz. The utilization of this technology results in a lower cost and greater efficiency over the life of a product.
Electronic Warfare Development Targets Fully Adaptive Threat Response TechnologyTBMG-218884/1/2015
When U.S pilots encounter enemy air defenses, onboard electronic warfare (EW) systems protect them by interfering with incoming radar signals — a technique known as electronic attack (EA) or jamming. Conversely, electronic protection (EP) technology prevents hostile forces from using EA methods to disable U.S. radar equipment assets.
Avionics Heat Up, in a Good WayTBMG-2074510/1/2014
The common feature shared by recent aviation platforms is the high level of systems integration, and the way in which information is displayed or made accessible, allowing previously unimaginable levels of situational awareness to be available to pilots and ground controllers. This has greatly eased the pilot workload and enhanced flight safety, especially when flying in poor weather or operating in unfamiliar or hazardous terrain.
3D Software Helps Development of Vehicle-Mounted Defense SystemsTBMG-194194/1/2014
L-3 Communications Linkabit (Melbourne, FL) develops defense communications and electronic warfare systems to protect soldiers and save lives on the battlefield. A division of L-3 Communications, the sixth-largest defense company in the United States, Linkabit focuses on developing systems that safeguard troops in the field by obscuring visibility, jamming radar signals, intercepting communications, and disrupting infrared transmissions.
High-Speed Data Recorder for Space, Geodesy, and Other High-Speed Recording ApplicationsTBMG-1766511/1/2013
A high-speed data recorder and replay equipment has been developed for reliable high-data-rate recording to disk media. It solves problems with slow or faulty disks, multiple disk insertions, high-altitude operation, reliable performance using COTS hardware, and long-term maintenance and upgrade path challenges.
Using Polyimide In 3D Thin Film Multilayer CircuitryTBMG-1751910/1/2013
Today, the cost and complexity of all platforms and systems in military and defense technologies are being challenged by the need for high functionality in smaller but less expensive architecture, especially in light of current national budget challenges. In the area of RF and microwave electronics it is becoming evident that a move from two dimensional (2D) planar circuitry architecture to three dimensional (3D) thin film multilayer technology can result in dramatic reduction of chip size, increase of operation speed, and lower total module costs.
Pursuing Agile Signals in a Crowded Spectral EnvironmentTBMG-165746/1/2013
For the capable RF engineer, continuous- wave (CW) and predictably repeating signals are no great challenge. However, design and troubleshooting become difficult when dealing with agile signals, and the challenges grow when these signals exist in an environment densely populated with similarly agile signals. Examples include applications such as radar, electronic warfare, wireless connectivity, and wireless communications. Indeed, some engineering jobs must be performed where two or more of these technologies intersect — sometimes accidentally and sometimes deliberately.
Reception Requirements for Automotive Radio Systems2013-01-01644/8/2013
Automotive manufacturers are increasingly demanding for better quality reception from radio designers to provide enhanced audio listening experience for their customers. Audio content can be provided from many sources today, including AM/FM signals, CDs, SD cards, USB flash drive, etc. The modern AM/FM receiver incorporates sophisticated DSP algorithms for signal reception and must not sound dramatically inferior to other audio sources. This paper reviews a few key reception environments that the mobile receiver must cope with, in able to provide good quality reception and to meet the required mobile receiver specifications.
Shatara, Raed S.
Energy Optimized Aircraft: What is it and how do we make one?2012-01-217910/22/2012
Efforts are underway to develop technologies to create a more Energy Optimized Aircraft (EOA). The question becomes how should one define an Energy Optimized Aircraft and how should energy optimization be measured to determine what is optimal? This paper provides a top level point of view for the goal of an Energy Optimized Aircraft. It outlines how one should approach the design of such an aircraft, the relevant vehicle systems technologies to enable energy optimization for fighter aircraft, and potential aircraft level measurands for determining degrees of goodness associated with incorporating different technologies. The top-to-bottom approach is provided for traceability of technologies being developed to aircraft and mission level goals.
Griggs, Steven C., Iden, Steven Mark, Lamm, Peter T.
VPX-SC N-dimensional Supercomputing Architectures Come To The Critical Embedded Systems MarketTBMG-1492110/1/2012
From the first computers of the 1940s through the machines of the 1990s, all computer systems were CPUbound. In other words, the I/O interfaces could deliver more data than the CPU could process. In the 1990s Moore’s Law took over and clock speeds doubled every 18 months, along with the addition of multi-core processors. So, from 1990 through today, we have been I/O-bound, meaning CPUs can now process more data than the I/O links can deliver. Increases in CPU performance have been revolutionary while the increases in interconnect bandwidth have been incremental for many decades. However, bandwidth increases in RapidIO, InfiniBand, and Ethernet are breaking this bottleneck, giving us the ability to design incredibly powerful embedded supercomputing architectures for today’s dataintensive applications.
Going modular with airborne radar12AERD0215_042/15/2012
Innovative approaches to solving the affordability challenge posed by too many specialist airborne surveillance systems. Air forces, armies, and navies around the world are only too aware that airborne surveillance is perhaps the most essential element in today's military inventory. The problem for armed forces that are seeking to invest in new airborne surveillance platforms is a big one: there are plenty of different aircraft and systems available that cover specific mission capabilities, but few of them offer adaptability and mission flexibility. And that means priorities have to be carefully considered when it comes to procurement, with difficult choices having to be made against a backdrop of decreasing affordability.
Gardner, Richard
Thermal Management Techniques for Military Embedded ComputersTBMG-102646/1/2011
As military programs continue to place an ever growing reliance on embedded computer systems, developments in rugged computer design must continue to advance to keep pace with this demand. This can be accomplished by understanding how individual elements in rugged designs are critical to ensuring a system can perform in harsh environments.
Applying OpenVPX to Single Board ComputersTBMG-102736/1/2011
For more than two decades, single board computers (SBCs) built on open standards have been largely based on specifications from two preeminent industry organizations, VITA and PICMG. For the 6U Eurocard format, each organization has developed a platform that has provided the basis for standardized SBCs; where VITA introduced the VMEbus standard and derivatives, PICMG introduced CompactPCI bus and its derivatives. Both bus structures use a parallel bus architecture, which has its performance limitations, hence the recent movement to use fabric-based technologies.
Proof-Based Engineering of Real-Time Applications: An RTEdge™ Case Study2009-01-323211/10/2009
Edgewater's RTEdge™ Platform toolset is a model driven development environment for mission critical real-time systems. Using precise execution semantics and mathematical proof-based analysis, RTEdge™ enables the verification of critical properties of systems with high assurance. This case study will follow the design and implementation life-cycle of a system representing a real-world, mission critical domain: airborne electronic warfare. Using examples and constraints taken from this system, software components will be built to illustrate the principles of architectural conformance, timeliness and testing as executed within a static analysis framework. Using RTEdge™ as an example, this case study will introduce the concepts of model driven development in software and demonstrate how static analysis can be used to verify characteristics of a system that are traditionally left for later stages of development. A demonstration of interactive testing will be performed to illustrate how complex functional and performance testing can be achieved using information already present in the model.
Sarkar, Roy
Compact Pulsed Power Sources2002-01-318010/29/2002
Marx generators have been traditionally relegated as pulse-charging supplies for a variety of applications including the generation of High Power Microwaves, or RF energy. Compact models have served as suitable trigger generators for larger systems. However, recent work has demonstrated the compact Marx generators for directly generating RF energy. This paper discusses two compact Marx generators developed for RF applications. General performance characteristics for each generator are discussed, as well as efforts to minimize the temporal jitter of these systems so as to make them viable sources for radar transmitters. The Gatling Marx generator is presented as a multiple generator RF source for weapons and radar transmitters. Finally, the generation of RF and microwave energy is discussed.
Mayes, Jon R., Carey, William J.
Application of Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) Heat Transfer Enhancement to Aircraft Environmental Control Systems1999-01-21647/12/1999
Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) heat transfer enhancement is a technology that may yield substantial reductions in heat exchanger weight and volume, as well as “on-demand” heat transfer. An overall assessment of the applicability of EHD to aircraft systems is given and key areas for future investigation to enable application are identified. A brief review of the underlying physics and key factors for the application of EHD to an aircraft Environmental Control System (ECS) is given. The major engineering challenges involved in application of EHD to an aircraft system are discussed. Potential system impacts of an EHD-enhanced ECS heat exchanger are explored.
Paschkewitz, John S.
The Have Blue Technology Demonstrator and Radar Cross Section Reduction96553810/1/1996
During the mid-1970s, the US embarked on a modest but highly focused effort to demonstrate an aircraft possessing a very low radar signature and sufficient performance to have operational utility. Known as Have Blue, the project was highly successful and led to the F-117 A. This paper discusses issues associated with reducing radar signature to very low levels (levels that are “tactically meaningful,” e.g., capable of defeating realistic threat systems). Radar phenomena and the concept of radar cross section (RCS) are briefly summarized and RCS reduction techniques as they were applied to Have Blue are described. RCS reduction considerations and techniques pioneered by Have Blue have become an integral component of the combat aircraft design process over the past two decades.
Piccirillo, Albert C.
A Forecast of the Aerospace Industry's Transition to Modular Avionics9520229/1/1995
For forty years, the Aerospace Industry has seen a 1 percent per week growth in the capabilities of its computers, memory devices, display generators, sensors, and signal processors. At first, this was led by the Aerospace Industry, but now the leadership has been taken over by commercial companies providing for consumer products, and aerospace companies have been falling behind because of low sales, no new product developments, drawn out development programs, and their related problems. Avionics companies can see that every year, one box can replace two, and so they have one of two strategies: Be the supplier of that one box, or claw out a niche that will require their box to continue to be required. As hardware costs drop, more and more of what they do is software and many of them have previously down-played software by buying it or by using warmed-up old software. Prime contractors can see that their old ways of organization will no longer be valid for this area, and they must adapt to this new hardware and software reality by breaking their ancient molds. Meanwhile, there will be continuing pressure for more affordability; i.e., lower prices independent of higher capability requirements. The industry is going global and that adds problems of language, customers, and viewpoint. In addition, there are four superpowers, all of whom have excess capacity in their aerospace industry. So the question is, how will this industry transition to Modular Avionics. This paper shows the capability growth curves and pitfalls facing the industry. Then it shows the requirements of the industry and the probable technology road maps to be encountered. Then, it summarizes the Modular Avionics techniques available now and in the future. It then suggests that the best approach is to standardize on a COTS approach for both the commercial and military/space markets using world-wide systems available from the surviving suppliers that can be used on all of the products.
Ulbrich, Edwin A.
Creating Customer Satisfaction: A Renewed Challenge for Government Research Laboratories9209734/1/1992
In today's dynamic environment, customer satisfaction is an increasingly important component of the military research program. As familiar as research scientists and technologists (S&T's) are to technical challenges, even the most capable are not immune to the staggering pace of change. S&T's can address these challenges by re-focusing on customer satisfaction, beginning with critical elements such as requirement definition, feasibility, and cost. Methods currently available to help S&T's learn and understand the needs of users are no longer adequate. Expanded metrics, which include user assessment and recognition of research constituencies, are needed to improve estimates of customer satisfaction and better direct laboratory efforts. These expanded metrics can increase the visibility of research contributions. Management initiatives indicate that a shift in the control of research funds, from the laboratory to the user, is underway. Technology transition and oversight processes, integrated weapon system planning, centralized project control, and expanded use of revolving funds tend to decrease the autonomy of individual research directors. However laboratories can create a positive response to turbulent change through creation of strategic alliances with customers and application of standard service marketing techniques. Through these mechanisms, researchers can avoid the pitfalls of shifting control, improve customer relationships, and continue to satisfy user needs.
Peasant, Janet L., Wolfe, Michael D.
Configuration Control of Adaptive Diagnostic Expert Systems8923609/1/1989
Adaptive expert system configurations are modified as new rules or facts are learned. This is similar to uncontrolled modifications of non-adaptive systems, where the software can be changed without documentation or approval. This problem is intensified in adaptive diagnostic expert systems, where so many of the learned facts or rules are environmentally dependent. This paper addresses some of the conditions causing the varied configurations of these systems and presents some suggested software structures to provide the necessary control.
Schaefer, Walter R.
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