Modular Multi-Sensor Display System Design Study. Volume 1. Requirements Analysis and Design Studies

A study of the requirements for and the design of a Modular Multi Sensor Display System was conducted. The purpose of the study was to perform the functional design of core and special module, that, when integrated together, perform the digital scan conversion, digital symbol generation, and display functions of multiple Air Force Avionics Systems. Specifically, the requirements were derived from the avionics sensor systems aboard F-4, A-7, F-106, F-111 and B-1 type aircraft. An analysis was also performed to insure that the design was compatible with the spatial resolution, dynamic range and temporal response of the human operator. The design study resulted in the definition of 20 core modules with universal system applicability and six special modules to perform specific interface and special mode functions. The resulting design was partitioned onto both lsi modules and discrete msi printed circuit card modules. A programmable controller was designed to allow simple modification and growth for both the scan converter and symbol generator. A tradeoff analysis was conducted to compare the modular design with existing analog techniques and with a discrete digital design to meet the specific display system requirements of the A-7 aircraft. Physical characteristics, cost of ownership, reliability, and maintainability were the key factors of this tradeoff. See also Volume 2, ADB004192.