Network-Based Instrumentation Systems

Southwest Research Institute^® (SwRI^®) has more than 15 years experience in the research, design and development of high-throughput, low-latency, network-based instrumentation systems. SwRI has designed and developed network-based systems for a variety of air, ground and space applications using open standards.

Flight Test Data Acquisition Systems

SwRI has developed network-based solutions for flight test data acquisition systems used to certify commercial aircraft. These systems include features such as:

• Ethernet – 10/100/1000 copper fiber
• Internet Protocol (IP) Multicast
• High throughput (gigabit Ethernet speeds)
• Low latency
• Precision Time Protocol (PTP) – IEEE 1588 (sub-microsecond network-wide time synchronization)
• Telemetry
• Embedded software
• Consolidated system management using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
• Combination of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and custom hardware

System Integration

SwRI engineers are highly experienced in system integration as well as hardware and software development.

From Design Concept to Delivery

SwRI has developed innovative network solutions and taken the design from concept to delivery. Features include:

• Adapting solutions to legacy systems
• Designing systems that use both COTS and custom hardware
• Designing flight-ruggedized hardware
• Developing embedded software compliant with DO-178B

Integrating Multiple Vendor Equipment

SwRI engineers have integrated equipment from multiple vendors and assisted vendors in developing and applying network technologies to existing instrumentation devices. In addition, SwRI has a large investment of testing resources including an expansive network test bed for integrating these devices into systems.

Government Network Infrastructure

SwRI is experienced with government network infrastructure devices, such as encryptors, routers and telemetry transmitters/receivers, and with integrating these devices in high-throughput, low-latency networks.

Standards Development

SwRI has developed several network standards and created shareable frameworks of software so vendors can build their own specific equipment to comply with these standards. Features include:

• Improved interoperability between equipment from multiple vendors
• Faster system development
• Reduced system development costs

SwRI also has extensive experience in developing components and standards that can work with challenging security requirements and constraints.

For more information on Network-Centric Systems, please visit www.nbi.swri.org.

This flyer was published in October 2009. For more information about Network-Based Instrumentation Systems, contact Myron Moodie, Phone (210) 522-5557, Fax (210) 522-5499, Automation & Data Systems Division, Southwest Research Institute, P.O. Drawer 28510, San Antonio, Texas 78228-0510.

Automation and Data Systems Brochures
SwRI Brochures SwRI Publications
SwRI Technical Divisions SwRI Home