T H E WO R L D S TA N DA R D I N F L I G H T T E S T I N S T R U M E N TAT I O N

Systems Integration Product Guide

November 2008 www.acracontrol.com

The World Standard in Flight Test Instrumentation

GROUND SUPPORT EQUIPMENT

Laptop/Rugged Laptop is used to program the KAM-500 system and visualise data.

Systems Integration Product Guide

AIRBORNE TELEMETRY SYSTEM

M PC

Airborne System
RF Transmitter S Band Airborne Antenna

Ground System
Helical Antennas BPFs and LNAs

LHCP
KAM-500 Chassis Video acquisition Bus monitoring Signal conditioning

RHCP

RF

GTS-500

COCKPIT DISPLAY UNIT

ETH

E ERN

TIME GPS RECEIVER IRIG-B TRANSLATOR/GENERATOR

THERMOCOUPLE

BUS INTERFACES ARINC-429 - 573 - 717 MIL-STD-1553 ETHERNET FIBRECHANNEL CAIS FIREWIRE (IEEE 1394 A and B)

SENSOR INPUTS

PRESSURE

LVDT

RTD

Sensors
Dual RF Receivers Diversity Combiner Bit Synchroniser Recorder Data Decommutator GSX-500 software Command and control of on-board equipment

VIDEO

UHF Receiver P Band Airborne Antenna UHF Helical Antenna UHF Transmitter

GS ANTENNA

VIBRATION

STRAIN

AUDIO

GS RECEIVER

BIT SYNC / DECOM / SMART SOURCE SELECTOR

T h e Wo r l d S t a n d a r d i n F l i g h t Te s t I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n

T h e Wo r l d S t a n d a r d i n F l i g h t Te s t I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n

RF

Sample Integrated System

Systems Integration Product Guide

3

GROUND STATION PC

AIRBORNE ANTENNAS

GROUND STATION RECORDER

The diagram below illustrates a typical turnkey solution for a system requiring an airborne data acquisition system, transmission and receiving hardware both air and ground and an integrated ground station with command and control capability. The ground station used was an ACRA CONTROL GTS-500 system (please see the Ground Station Product Guide for more details). Since the integrated system is modular, additional components can be easily added at any time in the future.

GROUND STATION SYSTEMS

KAM-500 integrated solid state recorders synchronised master systems Stand alone network recorders

Combine synchronised data from multiple synchronized master systems

AIRBORNE RECORDERS

ETHERNET SWITCH

AIRBORNE TRANSMITTERS / RECEIVERS

REAL-TIME/POST PROCESSING

ACRA CONTROL designs and integrates full instrumentation system solutions based on our Data Acquisition, Ground Station, Network and Recorder product families with selected third party products. Integrated systems utilize commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) well proven system components to provide state of the art, reliable and maintainable systems. Our expert team has built up a vast wealth of experience in applications advice, program management and large-scale system design, verification and validation. They will work with our customers at all stages of their program, from concept to completion, providing a continuity of support throughout.

RS-232

RUGGED LAPTOP

CONTROL ROOM

System Integration

PCMCIA based programming module used to program the KAM-500 in the aircraft Optionally, an Ethernet module allows the KAM-500 to be programmed over a Network link.

KAM-500 PROGRAMMER and DECOM

GSWorks - based on IADS from Symvionics Inc.

ACRA CONTROL manufactures high-performance, cost-effective data acquisition systems for the global aerospace and transportation industries. These include fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, space vehicles and UAVs in more than 40 countries. Our customers include all of the major aerospace prime contractors and test agencies we have supported such flagship programs as the Boeing Delta-II Launcher, Boeing 747ST, Airbus A380, Cirrus Design SJ50, Boeing FA-18, Eurofighter Typhoon, Global Hawk UAV and Sikorsky UH-60. Many more rely on KAM-500 accuracy, flexibility and innovative design for testing todays most advanced aircraft and systems.

ET

ETHERNET

HE R

NE

RF TRANSMITTERS
AIRBORNE TRANSMSITTERS RFE/TRX/001
The RFE/TRX/001 RF transmitters are L or S-Band FM transmitters designed for data transmission in aerospace, industrial and scientific applications. The carrier frequency is synthesized and can be factory adjusted within 100MHz. These transmitters come with the option of dual pre-modulation filters a customer can decide to set these for two different data rates. The RFE/TRX/001 all have a small form factor, low weight and high efficiency achieved by the internal switching regulator.

RF RECEIVERS
AIRBORNE RECEIVER RFE/RCV/001
The RFE/RCV/001 L or S-Band FM Receiver module is designed for data reception in aerospace, industrial and scientific applications. The receiver is a double superheterodyne type with the first IF at 360MHz and a second IF at 70MHz.The second IF-Bandwidth can be factory set within 500kHz to 16MHz and can therefore be used for most applications. The input frequency can be set by the user using the three BCD-switches on top of the module cover plate.

FEATURES
Frequency Range: S-Band 2200MHz to 2500MHz
L-Band 1400MHz to 1550MHz Available in 100mW, 1W, 5W and 10W Integrated pre-modulation filters Supply voltages 28 4V DC Linear, TTL, RS-422 data input available High power efficiency of >33%

FEATURES
Frequency Range: S-Band 2200MHz to 2500MHz, L-Band
1400MHz to 1550MHz

Initial carrier frequency factory preset Rugged design, Low weight, Low size Supply voltages 11.5-24V DC Noise Figure 3dB

GROUND STATION RECEIVER RFE/RCV/002 QUASONIX TIMTER MULTIMODE TRANSMITTER

The RFE/TRX/003 is an L or S-Band FM transmitter, multi mode and high power transmitter. Output power of up to 20W is available. RFE/TRX/003 supports PCM/FM (ARTM Tier 0), SOQPSK-TG (ARTM Tier I) and Multi-h CPM (ARTM Tier II).
The RFE/RCV/002 is a compact, dedicated FM-receiver for telemetry with an optional spectrum monitor. The L or S-band signal from the antenna input is filtered and down-converted in two stages to 360MHz and 70MHz or 21.4MHz. A BNC (75 ) is used for demodulator data out.

Systems Integration Product Guide

FEATURES
Frequency Range 2300 to 2400 MHz, or 2400 to
2500 MHz, other frequency ranges on request Carrier frequency controlled from touchscreen LCD on the front panel with 10kHz resolution Noise Figure 2.5dB A.C. Mains or 12-28V DC Power Supply Ideal for laboratory or portable applications

FEATURES
RF Output Power up to 20 W L and S-band PCM/FM, SOQPSK-TG and Multi-h CPM Single Band or All Bands in One Unit Standard IRIG-106 fifteen-stage randomizer RS-232 Interface for configuration TTL or RS-422 data input available Premod filtering is built in, eliminating
external filters

ACRA CONTROL GROUND STATION RECEIVERS

In addition to the above stand-alone products, ACRA CONTROL offers a range of PCI receiver cards for GTS-500 ground station platforms. Please see the Ground Station Product Guide for further information.

QUASONIX TX
The TX is a miniature, low weight and high power L or S-Band FM transmitter. Output power of up to 10W is available. The TX supports PCM/FM (ARTM Tier 0), SOQPSK-TG (ARTM Tier I) and Multi-h CPM (ARTM Tier II).

FEATURES
2.2 cubic inches (5.6cm3) RF Output Power up to 10 Watts L and S-band PCM/FM, SOQPSK-TG and Multi-h CPM Single Band or All Bands in One Unit Standard IRIG-106 fifteen-stage randomizer RS-232 Interface for configuration TTL or RS-422 data input available Premod filtering is built in, eliminating external
filters

Systems Integration Product Guide

5

T h e Wo r l d S t a n d a r d i n F l i g h t Te s t I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n

T h e Wo r l d S t a n d a r d i n F l i g h t Te s t I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n

RF ANTENNAS
DUAL AXIS TRACKING ANTENNA RFE/ANT/002
The RFE/ANT/002 is designed to support solid reflectors up to 4ft (1.2m) in winds of 45mph (72kph). High output torque with low backlash is accomplished with the use of 2 stage reduction gearboxes and brushless DC motors. The RFE/ANT/002 Dual Axis pedestal is ideally suited for transportable applications where weight and shipping volume are key factors. The RFE/ANT/002 pedestal can be supplied with a tripod mount, with extendable legs, for transportable applications where no antenna-mounting pad is available at the test site.

RECORDERS
ACRA CONTROL RECORDERS
ACRA CONTROL has its own range of recorders from the stand alone SSR/CHS/001 and NET/REC/001 to KAM-500 integrated CF based modules. For more information, please see our Recorders Product Guide (available March 2009).

FEATURES
Dual axis pedestal Harmonic-drive gearboxes (azimuth and elevation) Drive motors with integrated servo amplifiers Azimuth and elevation data packages Pedestal power supplies Cable wrap or slip ring ordering options Thermostatically controlled pedestal heater assembly Parabolic L/S-band (1435MHz-2485MHz) antenna Dual circular polarization (LHCP and RHCP) Low noise RF preamplifiers, (one per polarization) Touch screen front panel RS-232 and Ethernet interfaces

As well as ACRA CONTROLs SSR-500 and NET-500 range of recorders, we can also provide the following third party recorders from the HEIM series where specific applications will benefit.

AIRBORNE RECORDER HEIM D-SERIES

For flight test applications airborne recording systems are required which guarantee reliable recording and precise data capture. The DATaRec D-Series with a 3/4 ATR form factor and the D5000 Series with a 1/2 ATR form factor offer a range of rugged, airborne systems on a modular basis which provide interfaces to avionics buses as well as to digital and analog sources. A wide variety of signal conditioning modules including analog, digital and avionics bus interfaces are provided to tailor a system to specific data acquisition requirements.

Systems Integration Product Guide

HELICAL ANTENNAS RFE/AEH/006/S7 and RFE/AEH/007/S12

The RFE/AEH/007/S12 and RFE/AEH/006/S7 are directional antennas especially designed for applications in the frequency range from 2100MHz to 2500MHz. These rugged circular antennas are enclosed in a radome and can withstand ice, snow, high winds and most severe saltwater, oil and most common chemical fumes.

FEATURES
System Data Rate 32 - 256 Mbps maximum [dependent on model] Removable, interchangeable cartridge mounted drives; Tape (AIT2,
40 Mbps, 50 GB; AIT3, 80 Mbps, 100 GB; DDS3 12 Mbps, 12 GB) Hard Disk (240 Mbps, 144 GB; others available) Solid State (100 Mbps, 74 GB; others available) Read after write with full error detection and correction, BER <1012 Automatic write speed control and media duration optimization User selected recording format; DATaRec-3 and IRIG106 Ch10 Built-in Interfaces RS-232, RS-422, IR, Ethernet and discrete remote control, 2-channel Voice, IRIG A/B/G, 10pps, GPS time code in/out; GPS can operate as RS-232 standard channel 3 module slots accommodate

FEATURES
Typical gain of 12.5dBiC at 2.3GHz Power rating of 50W CW LH and RH variants

BLADE ANTENNA RFE/AEB/008

The RFE/AEB/008 are rugged, low profile airborne antennas. These wide temperature tolerant (-60C to +200C) antennas are designed for onboard applications for aircraft and drones. The RFE/AEB/008 is available as an L-band or S-band with gains of 3dB and 0dB respectively. RFE/AEB/008 antennas operate with omni-directional coverage, have a VSWR better than 1.5:1 and can operate at air speeds up to Mach 2.

GROUND STATION RECORDER HEIM GSR-SERIES GPS ANTENNA RFE/AEG/001

The RFE/AEG/001 is a robust, rigorously tested and environmentally sealed unit suitable for a wide variety of GPS applications. This antenna has been tested to DO-160 environmental test requirements and is designed to meet ARINC-743 specifications. It will resist all de-icing fluids, jet fuels, and standard cleaning solvents.

The GSR-Series has been developed for applications in telemetry ground stations and laboratory like environments. It is a 19" rack version of the D-Series and works with the same signal interface modules (signal conditioning modules including analog, digital and avionics bus interfaces) as well as with identical storage media.

Systems Integration Product Guide

7

T h e Wo r l d S t a n d a r d i n F l i g h t Te s t I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n

T h e Wo r l d S t a n d a r d i n F l i g h t Te s t I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n

NETWORKS
ACRA CONTROL NETWORK PRODUCTS
In addition to ACRA CONTROLs high quality 3rd party network products, we have a NET-500 range of Ethernet recorders and rugged switches. The NET/SWI/001 for example is a highly ruggedized network aggregator capable of operating up to temperatures of 105C. Please see our Networks Product Guide for more details (available June 2009).

AIRBORNE TRANSFORMER ACC/TRF/001

This 6 channel power transformer is used to condition 115VAC RMS, 400Hz aircraft supplies to a voltage level suitable for input to the ACRA CONTROL three-phase power monitor module the KAD/ADC/008.

FEATURES
Six transformer-coupled channels Rugged aluminum casing Designed for use with the KAD/ADC/008

REMOTE CONTROL EVENT STATUS DISPLAY UNIT OBE/CDU/001 PTP ENABLED SWITCH NET/SWI/002
The NET/SWI/002 is an Ethernet switch that incorporates NTP/SNTP (Network Time Protocol / Simple Network Time Protocol) and an SNMP management facility. SNTP packets are time stamped to an accuracy of < 1uS using an attached GPS time source. The switch has a wide power range (19 60 VDC), low power consumption (8W) and a wide temperature range (-40C - +65C). The OBE/CDU/001 controls recording on KAM-500 memory modules. When the EVENT switch is toggled from off to on, the OBE/CDU/001 triggers the KAM-500 to log data. At the same time the event number is displayed on the OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display. The PWR switch controls a 28V supply to the KAM-500 system. The OBE/CDU/001 interfaces with the KAM-500 via the KAD/CDI/101 module a KAM500 module that controls recording on a MEM/003 or MEM/004 module.

FEATURES
30mS reconfiguration of redundant ring Up to 200 switches supported in ring Layer2 / True network determinism Supports Layer 3 priority tagging Head of line blocking prevention No moving parts or electrolytic capacitor MDX/MDIX technology to easily switch connection User configurable fault contact Push button / auto-negotiation configuration 35 mm DIN rail mounting 19 rack mounting and
wall mounting options

FEATURES

Systems Integration Product Guide

IEEE-1588 compatible

NETWORK SWITCH OBE/ESW/003

The OBE/ESW/003 is a rugged-switching product that provides wire-speed Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. The OBE/ESW/003 operates in environments such as Home-Land-Security (HLS) solutions and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). It is EMC protected, powered in accordance with MIL-STD-1275 and uses input/output connectors per MIL-DTL-38999. The switches have a compact form factor (also available in a ruggedized form), have convection cooling, relay output signaling to extend intelligent services such as enhanced security, high availability and advanced quality of service (QoS) to areas that cannot be served by traditional commercial-grade Ethernet switches.

OBE/CDU/001

KAM/MEM/103

FEATURES
High-quality Ethernet switch, based on the
Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) Cisco Catalyst

Rugged enclosure to withstand severe environment

(land, air and sea)

Can be mounted in any orientation and operate in

harsh environmental conditions

KAD/CDI/101

Systems Integration Product Guide

9

Small area OLED display with 128 x 48 pixel resolution Controls Data recording to KAM-500 modules Switches KAM-500 system ON/OFF Displays current event number

T h e Wo r l d S t a n d a r d i n F l i g h t Te s t I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n

T h e Wo r l d S t a n d a r d i n F l i g h t Te s t I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n

RF BAND PASS FILTERS RFE/BPF/002

The RFE/BPF/002 combine filter uses a variety of wavelength capacitively loaded rods as resonators, to offer a low loss, rugged compact design. The RFE/BPF/002 uses rectangular rods machined from solid, giving the advantage of high Q performance with low cost construction. Offering a large degree of parameter flexibility, these can be optimized for size, Insertion loss or Stop-band performance, according to whichever parameter is of priority.

System Integration Product Selection Guide

Antennas
Part Number RFE/AEB/008/L3/SMA RFE/AEB/008/L3/TNC RFE/AEB/008/S0/SMA RFE/AEB/008/S0/TNC RFE/AEG/001 RFE/AEH/006/S7/LHP RFE/AEH/006/S7/RHP RFE/AEH/007/S12/LHP RFE/AEH/007/S12/RHP RFE/ANT/002 RFE/ANT/002/SR Description L-band airborne blade antenna with SMA connector L-band airborne blade antenna with TNC connector S-band airborne blade antenna with SMA connector S-band airborne blade antenna with TNC connector Airborne GPS antenna, 26 dB amplifier S-Band helical antenna, 7db gain, Left Hand Polarised S-Band helical antenna, 7db gain, Right Hand Polarised S-Band helical antenna, 12db gain, Left Hand Polarised S-Band helical antenna, 12db gain, Right Hand Polarised L/S Band Dual Axis 1.2m cable wrap antenna L/S Band Dual Axis 1.2m slip ring antenna

FEATURES
Low passband insertion loss of 0.5dB Weatherproof package

RF LOW NOISE AMPLIFIERS RFE/LNA/003

The RFE/LNA/003 is low noise amplifier (LNA) designed for applications in the 2.185GHz to 2.485GHz frequency band. The high gain (+40dB) output of the LNA allows a high output power of up to +18dBm while maintaining a low noise figure of just 0.7dB.

Transmitters
Part Number RFE/TRX/001/100M RFE/TRX/001/1W RFE/TRX/001/5W RFE/TRX/001/10W RFE/TRX/003/20W RFE/TRX/004/10W Description Airborne RF transmitter 100mW, S-Band Airborne RF transmitter 1W, L/S-Band Airborne RF transmitter 5W, L/S-Band Airborne RF transmitter 10W, L/S-Band QUASONIX TIMTER Multimode transmitter, 20W, L/S-Band QUASONIX TX, 10W, L/S-Band

FEATURES
Solid state microstrip design Frequency range of 2.185GHz to 2.485GHz Gain of 43dB Noise figure of 0.7dB

Receivers
Part Number RFE/RCV/001 RFE/RCV/002 Description Airborne RF receiver L/S-Band Ground based Standalone Receiver S-Band

Systems Integration Product Guide

The RFE/PWD/001 is a two-way power divider designed for applications in the 0.8GHz to 2.4GHz frequency range. It is designed to take the output of a telemetry transmitter and drive two telemetry antennas with both ports matched. When both output ports are matched the RFE/PWD/001 can operate with up to 30W of input power.

Part Number RFE/BPF/002 RFE/LNA/003 ACC/TRF/001 RFE/PWD/001

Description S-Band RF Band Pass Filter Low Noise Amplifier 6 Channel power transformer Two-way Power Divider

FEATURES
Compact and lightweight Wide frequency range of 800MHz to 2400MHz Rugged construction

Data Recorders
Part Number NET/REC/001 SSR/CHS/001 Description Airborne stand-alone Ethernet network recorder A recording unit with 4 user slots for SSR-500 modules

Please contact ACRA CONTROL for solutions requiring the Heim D-Series of Airborne Data Recorders or the Heim GSR-Series of Ground Station Recorders

AIRBORNE BIT SYNCHRONIZER SAM/SYS/BSC/002

The SAM/SYS/BSC/002 is a standalone bit synchronizer unit. The SAM/SYS/BSC/002 extracts serial data from noise-contaminated inputs from telemetry RF receivers, analog recorders or land lines and reconstructs the signal in NRZ-L format. All NRZ and Bi- input codes are available as ordering options - other codes are available on special order. The output clock phase and data phase can be set at either 0 or 180 using SPST switches on the front panel.

Standalone Bit Synchronizers

Part Number SAM/SYS/BSC/002 Description Stand-alone bit synchronizer with 4 way data rate selector

Cockpit Display Units

Part Number OBE/CDU/001 Description Cockpit display unit

NETWORK
Part Number NET/SWI/001 NET/SWI/002 OBE/ESW/003 Description A highly ruggedized network switch PTP enabled switch Rugged Ethernet switch

FEATURES
Factory selectable bit rates up to 8Mbps All NRZ-L and BI-L input PCM codes supported Maximum input over voltage is 50V Output signal levels factory set at RS-422 or TTL Factory set input impedance Wide (1.5%) and Narrow (0.25%) loop bandwidths can be
selected via panel mounted switches Output data and clock phases can be inverted via panel-mounted switches

Software Refer to KAM-500 and Ground Station Product Guides Data Acquisition Refer to KAM-500 Product Guide Ground Station Equipment Refer to Ground Station Product Guide Network Refer to Networks Product Guide Recorders Refer to Recorders Product Guide

10

Systems Integration Product Guide

11

POWER DIVIDER RFE/PWD/001

Filters and Amplifiers

T h e Wo r l d S t a n d a r d i n F l i g h t Te s t I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n

T h e Wo r l d S t a n d a r d i n F l i g h t Te s t I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n

T H E WO R L D S TA N DA R D I N F L I G H T T E S T I N S T R U M E N TAT I O N

Our Customers
ACRA CONTROL is proud to serve the worlds leading aircraft manufacturers by providing them with our state-of-the-art products, first-class technical support and commitment to on-going R&D to cater for the emerging requirements of their cutting-edge development programs.

ACRA CONTROL INC 44145 Airport View Drive Hollywood Maryland 20636 United States of America Phone: (301) 373-9220 Fax:(301) 373-9223 E-mail: info@acracontrol.net

ACRA CONTROL LTD Landscape House Landscape Road Dublin 14 Ireland Phone: +353-1-295-1264 Fax:+353-1-295-1265 Email: mail@acracontrol.com

ISO9001:2000 Certified

www.acracontrol.com