System Integration & Information Technology

For nearly a quarter of a century, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has designed, developed, and maintained hardware and software systems for the aerospace community. Recognized as a leader in applied research and development in system integration and information technology, SwRI develops quality software and system solutions for a wide range of applications.

SwRI's Electronics Integration and Information Technology Department has implemented an aggressive Software Process Improvement Program using the Software Engineering Institute Capability Maturity Modes as a guide. SwRI, with its multidisciplinary technical capabilities, comprehensive management skills, and software engineering expertise, is noted for providing innovative solutions to complex problems. SwRI supports a wide array of aerospace system requirements, including:

• Engineering services
  
• Automatic test equipment
  
• Large-scale database development
  
• Reliability and maintainability improvements
  
• Software development

Engineering Services

Institute staff members have comprehensive background and expertise in active and passive Electronic Warfare systems.

Large-Scale Database Development

• Oracle™ relational database
  
• Conversational interface
  
• Automatic data collection
  
• Trigger-based item management

Reliability and Maintainability Improvements

• Hardware
  
  • Design improvement
    
  • Capability enhancement
    
  • Technology insertion
    
  • Embedded computer replacement
    
  • Hardware re-engineering
    
• Software
  
  • Smart interface development
    
  • Software re-engineering
    
  • Maintainability improvement
    
  • Commercial off-the-shelf equipment integration

SwRI engineers troubleshoot and resolve automatic test equipment problems that range from obsolete equipment to unreliable test software.

Software Development

SwRI's software process improvement program is modeled after the Software Engineering Institute's Capability Maturity Model. To assure the quality, efficiency, reliability, and maintainability of its products, SwRI uses an engineering methodology for software development that incorporates detailed cost and schedule management and a comprehensive quality assurance program. SwRI staff members use the following proven software development paradigms.

Object-oriented method with client involvement

• Conceptualization to establish software requirements
  
• Analysis of software requirements using USE CASES
  
• Design to create the physical and logical structure of the software architecture
  
• Implementation using evolutionary and iterative releases
  
• Final acceptance based on client-approved test procedures

Database design method with client involvement

• Oracle™ development environment
  
• Conceptual modeling to develop Process, Information, Functional, and Cross Checking Conceptual Models
  
• Logical modeling to develop Information Data and Functional Application Designs
  
• Physical object generation and optimization using approved software process
  
• Final acceptance based on client-approved test procedures

Functional decomposition method with client involvement

• System analysis to establish software requirements
  
• Preliminary design to identify the higher level functions
  
• Detailed design to identify the lower level functions
  
• Software coding and engineering test using approved software process
  
• Final acceptance based on client-approved test procedures

This brochure was published in February 1999. For more information about system integration & information technology, contact Larry Sapp or Henry Sees, Aerospace Electronics and Information Technology Division, Southwest Research Institute, 613 Russell Parkway, Warner Robins, Georgia 31008-6031, Phone (912) 328-7974, Fax (912) 328-0580.

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