Jan 10 2006
An industry team led by Boeing has demonstrated a new technology that dramatically increases data transfer speeds in tactical aircraft, making them more effective in meeting the demands of the network-centric operational environment of the future.
The new data "bus" technology, which uses existing aircraft wiring, has proven it can transfer electronic data at least 40 times faster than current data bus technology. These advantages will allow aircraft systems to be upgraded for future combat environments much more quickly and affordably than with other high data rate options.
The new technology is a high performance version of the current military standard data bus known as MIL-STD-1553. It's called HyPer-1553TM and is similar to Digital Subscriber Line technology that's used to expand the data-carrying capability of ordinary telephone lines.
"HyPer-1553, developed by Data Device Corp., is particularly well-suited for applications in which it is difficult or impossible to add or replace wiring," said Steve Wilson, Boeing Phantom Works lead engineer for the project. "And because it operates in parallel with existing MIL-STD-1553 data buses, upgrades can be done incrementally, which further expands the options for upgrading the war-fighting capabilities of current and future aircraft."
The team of Boeing, Data Device Corp. (DDC) and Honeywell Aerospace demonstrated HyPer-1553's capabilities by conducting a flight test aboard the Boeing F-15E1 Advanced Technology Demonstrator aircraft on Dec. 17, 2005, in St. Louis.
During the test, Boeing Phantom Works engineers used the HyPer-1553 data bus to transmit imagery between a rugged computer mounted in the forward equipment bay of the F-15E and a modified Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) mounted on a wing pylon station. A DDC circuit card was mounted to a Honeywell general purpose processor board on either end of the interface.
The results showed that HyPer-1553 transferred data at 40 megabits per second in parallel with MIL-STD-1553 data being transferred at 1 megabit per second. The team also transferred data at 40, 80 and 120 megabits per second on a second bus dedicated to the higher speed data.
"HyPer-1553 technology's increased performance, reduced down time and relative low cost of implementation add up to a very innovative and affordable solution for our customers," Wilson said.
Data Device Corp. is a leading international supplier of high-reliability data interface products for aerospace applications, and has supplied MIL-STD-1553 products for more than 25 years.
Honeywell Aerospace has unique capabilities in displays and processors as well as high reliability switches and sensors.
Boeing Phantom Works is the advanced research and development unit and a catalyst for innovation for The Boeing Company. It provides advanced solutions and innovative, breakthrough technologies that reduce cycle time and cost while improving the quality and performance of aerospace products and services.
http://www.boeing.com