Advanced Computer and Electronics Technology, Intelligent Systems, and Automation

The Institute offers a broad range of services in advanced computer and electronics technology for clients from industry, government agencies, and the military. Applications include avionics design, flight software, automatic test equipment, automated logistics, and interactive computer-based training as well as intelligent traffic control systems and manufacturing automation.

In a program for the U.S. Marine Corps, SwRI engineers developed an unmanned aerial vehicle to transport food, water, and other supplies to military patrols in remote locations. The vehicle features global positioning system navigation, automatic takeoff and landing, and low-speed operation.

The Institute is developing new technologies for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to perform missions requiring long endurance, low observability, extreme environmental exposure, and/or high risk. SwRI engineers converted a commercial, off-the-shelf parafoil ultralight aircraft into an autonomous global positioning system (GPS)-guided UAV. The eXperimental Precision Re-Supply (XPRS) system was developed for a U.S. Marine Corps combat service support demonstration. The XPRS-equipped UAV transports fuel, food, water, and material to remote military teams. Innovative features include automatic takeoff and landing, GPS navigation, low-speed operation, and parachute-like stability and safety. Also, NASA has contracted with the Institute to develop a similar vehicle to serve as a flying test-bed in development of the X-38 Space Station Crew Return Vehicle.

As part of a team led by Alliant Techsystems, Inc., SwRI is participating in the development of the Outrider Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The Institute is providing avionics, flight control sensors, and autopilot software for the project. The Outrider is a small, low-cost reconnaissance vehicle destined to become part of a family of UAVs used by the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps. Under a $53 million Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration program for the Joint Program Office for UAVs, six Outrider systems will be built. Each system consists of four air vehicles, two high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles, a trailer, and associated ground support equipment.

Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation has licensed SwRI's R&D 100 award-winning Weather Environment Simulation Technology^TM (WEST^TM) patent for use in its Harmony^TM line of image generation systems. WEST^TM increases the training effectiveness of the Harmony-based flight simulators and military training systems by providing real-time, 60-frames-per-second, photo-realistic views of dynamic weather-related phenomena from any viewpoint in the three-dimensional synthetic environment.

SwRI received its first task order in May 1997 under a contract for the Ogden Air Logistics Center's Design Engineering Program (DEP). The Institute will replace the software in the B-1B armament systems trainer with new software that is more reliable and easier to maintain. The software development package allows simulation authoring and includes environment and scenario support software and trainer hardware diagnostics. Designed to provide engineering services for the Air Force Reliability and Maintainability (R&M) 2000 program, the DEP contract encompasses the R&M of ammunition and explosives, guided missiles, aircraft structural components, photographic equipment, and training aids and devices.

Under contract with the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), the Institute is developing the Small Unit Tactical Trainer (SUTT) and the Small Unit Leader's Non-Lethals Trainer (SULNT). In SUTT, USMC-deployed, reinforced rifle squads participate in force-on-force engagements against the computer-generated opposing force in a virtual environment. Using this system, trainees practice team tactics and decision-making by traversing the virtual environment, employing a variety of weapons, and engaging simulated hostile and neutral forces. Closely related to SUTT, the SULNT prototype trains USMC noncommissioned officers in other military operations.

The SwRI-developed AWACS Modeling and Simulation System, through its display and debriefing component, allows students to review their performance using synchronized three-dimensional graphics, AWACS display, and audio playback. This comprehensive feedback during debriefing sessions enables the student to review the mission from the student's and the pilot's perspectives, resulting in an improved mental model of the air combat environment.

For the U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command, the Institute is developing an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) Modeling and Simulation Training System to train student weapons directors for their vital role on the E-3 AWACS aircraft. An advanced feature of the system is the display and debrief subsystem that displays two-dimensional radar scope side-by-side with three-dimensional air environment information to aid students in visualizing interactions. The system includes interfaces to an Air Route Surveillance Radar and to very high frequency radios, allowing students to direct real aircraft as well as control simulated aircraft. Another interface enables multi-simulator participation.

As part of a cooperative development program, SwRI scientists designed and built a low-power television system to distribute live traffic video and digital data depicting traffic conditions and accidents.The video and data are transmitted to local television stations, TransGuideTM offices, and public safety organizations.

The Institute serves as system integrator for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Model Deployment Initiative (MDI). A major component of MDI development activities is the TransGuideª Advanced Traffic Management System in San Antonio. The MDI program serves to demonstrate various intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies for the U.S. Federal Highway Administration. The Institute has played a key role in incorporating new technology into the MDI efforts, including integrating a system-wide data server, expanding in-vehicle navigation capabilities, incorporating an Emergency Medical Services video LifeLink^TM system, building traveler information kiosks, designing an automatic vehicle identification system, and establishing a railroad delay warning system. The program integrates new and existing technologies into ITS infrastructures, creating a model for new ITS technologies.

The Theater Medical Information Program (TMIP) is an information system to support deployed U.S. military forces in a full spectrum of operations, from humanitarian aid to regional conflict. Under the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the TMIP enables deployed military medical personnel to provide health care and to maintain records of that care. SwRI, in partnership with the TMIP Management Office, is providing integration services to TMIP including requirements management, systems engineering activities, software development, and integrated operational test and evaluation services.

Information operations are activities in which friendly forces protect their own information resources while trying to disrupt those of the enemy. Under contract to the U.S. Department of Defense Joint Command and Control Warfare Center, SwRI is developing a new software architecture that aids in selection of information operations targets. The architecture is designed to integrate planning capabilities and various new and existing warfare models into a cohesive decision support system. The new architecture is based on the Common Object Request Broker Architecture, a standard means of linking computers and integrating their functions, databases, and models.

An integrated air defense system is a collection of radar, communication, command and control, and threat systems that defends against aircraft attacks. The Air Force Information Warfare Center is developing an integrated air defense model to analyze the effectiveness of information warfare techniques targeted at air defense systems. Using distributed interactive simulation, SwRI is developing high-fidelity missile models to be merged with the integrated air defense system model. Eventual transition to the U.S. Department of Defense High-Level Architecture standard for simulation modeling is planned.

Many computer models used within the military are heavily dependent upon elevation data. These data are not available for some parts of the world, which prevents use of elevation data-dependent models. The Institute is developing a tool that uses image-processing techniques to derive elevation information from digitized military maps. With this tool, a user can rapidly generate elevation data when the data cannot be retrieved from other sources.

Recent advances in material-handling methods, heating technologies, and process control are providing an opportunity to improve mature metalworking industries, such as forging. Significant improvements in product quality, consistency, throughput, and cost can be realized through the integration of new technology into the manufacturing process. The Institute is developing an automated manufacturing line to produce forged stabilizer bars for a major automotive supplier. By introducing rapid-gas heating technology and automated process control and material handling, the new manufacturing line provides a lower cost, more consistent product than previously possible.

During its second year of operation, the Institute's regional manufacturing extension project has experienced substantial growth. The South Central office of the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC), operated by SwRI, has expanded its staff, opened a new field office in Austin, developed team relationships with local economic development efforts, and expanded its service capabilities. The SwRI TMAC is committed to helping small manufacturers in West, Central, and South Texas become more competitive. It has directly assisted more than 160 manufacturers and expects to reach an additional 120 by its third anniversary. TMAC is an initiative of the Texas Department of Economic Development and an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

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