Software Systems Integration

STI has developed a Portable Demonstration Unit (PDU) to showcase the capabilities and potential of the Advanced Heads Up Display (AHUD). Everyone wants the war fighter to have access to the best technology to safely and effectively complete his mission. However, it is difficult sometimes to justify the cost of systems when they cannot be demonstrated to decision makers. The PDU has effectively solved this problem for the AHUD product manager.

The AHUD products were developed to allow a pilot the ease of monitoring critical helicopter flight data control information, without taking his eyes "off the road." They assist a pilot in monitoring the changing terrain and flight control data in order to ensure a safe and successful flight mission. Helicopter and flight information is gathered and converted into an easy to understand pictograph by a Signal Data Converter (SDC). A pictographic display is presented as an unobtrusive line drawing in the pilot's night vision goggles by the Display Unit. The pilot is able to monitor important flight parameters such as altitude, speed, pitch, and heading direction, as well as aircraft faults, such as engine fires, without taking his eyes off of the terrain.

Until recently, the only way the capabilities of the AHUD system could be seen, short of being in a helicopter, was to use the Aircraft Training Simulator (ATS). The ATS, measuring 2ft x 3ft x 3ft and 385 lbs, was never practical for demonstrating the AHUD products. Using a MIL-STD 1553 data bus, all the functionality of an AHUD display can be demonstrated in a portable fashion, enabling a wider audience to experience this technology. The PDU allows pilots and decision makers to view exactly how the display indicates important flight parameters. The demo has an auto run script, which dynamically depicts how the graphics change during an actual flight.

The PDU is controlled by a Visual Basic program that runs on a PC. With its intuitive user interface, a demonstrator of the AHUD is able to modify any parameter sent to the SDC with ease, as all the parameters are clearly labeled. As the controls are altered, the PC assembles a data packet containing the simulated flight parameters and sends it to the SDC. The program within the SDC has been modified to accept this data from the 1553 bus instead of checking its analog, or synchro inputs to extract the data. The symbol generation routines within the SDC are unaware of the source of the data, and operate in their usual fashion. The Portable Demo Unit has a display unit and a camera contained within its enclosure, which enables a large copy of the AHUD display to be shown to an audience at the same time.

The AHUD PDU allows the AHUD product line to be brought to a conference or meeting with ease. All the components needed to set up and showcase the AHUD system easily fit in a single carrying case and, just as important to the demonstrator, this system can set up and break down in a matter of minutes. The Portable AHUD Demo system is an achievement in convenience and technology, as well as making those in the industry aware of the advancements in helicopter flight safety. other decision makers!"