Miniaturized High Data Rate Modules Introduced for Flight Testing

Curtiss-Wright’s new miniature avionics bus data acquisition unit modules enable flight test engineers to capture a test program’s digital MIL-STD-1553 and IEEE-1394 data By Abi Wylie / 15 Nov 2024

Data Acquisition Systems/Equipment

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Miniaturized High Data Rate Modules Introduced for Flight Testing
Follow DA

Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions Division has introduced two miniature avionics bus data acquisition unit (DAU) modules.

These will enable flight test engineers to capture 100% of a test program’s digital MIL-STD-1553 and IEEE-1394 data and support selected data capture for insertion into the PCM telemetry stream. 

The MDAU-1553 and MDAU-1394 modules are designed for use with Curtiss-Wright’s MnACQ-2700, its industry-leading miniature network data acquisition (MnACQ) encoding system. 

The high data rate (HDR) modules significantly reduce the complexity, module count and cost of simultaneously capturing bulk digital avionics bus data and telemetering select data during flight tests. For example, capturing eight (8) channels of MIL-STD-1553 bus data with our traditional solution would require nine (9) modules with a height of 3.6”.  

The MDAU-1553 can perform the same operation with only three (3) modules and a height of 1.2”.  These new DAU modules expand the capabilities of the MnACQ-2700 product line, which retains 100% backward compatibility with the MnACQ-2600 and is supported by over 200 I/O modules. 

The MDAU-1553 is an 8-channel MIL-STD-1553 miniature bus acquisition module and the MDAU-1394 is a 3-channel IEEE-1394b acquisition module. The modules enable selected data to be captured and inserted into a PCM format at rates up to 40 Mbps. This PCM format can be multicasted over Ethernet and transmitted as a traditional clock/data PCM. 

Simultaneously, 100% of the MIL-STD-1553 or 1394b data can be bulk captured and transmitted over dual Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) ports as multicast packets. Ethernet data can be encoded using IRIG-106 Chapter 10/11, IRIG-106 TmNS Chapters 21-26, or DARv3 encapsulation. Additional status and performance information is also available for insertion into the PCM format or transmission over Ethernet.

About the MnACQ-2700 Data Acquisition System

The MnACQ-2700 enables an Ethernet-based network data acquisition solution for analog and bus data capture and system safety monitoring applications. With dual GbE ports that support both 100Base-T and 1000Base-T, the MnACQ-2700 provides bulk data and selected data to an FTI network for demanding applications such as new aircraft development and technology refresh programs. 

The MnACQ-2700 also provides pulse-code modulation (PCM) outputs up to 40 Mbps for real-time telemetry of mission and safety-critical data. The MnACQ-2700 is configurable using IRIG-106 metadata description language (MDL) and by Curtiss-Wright’s TTCWare software utility.

Brian Perry, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, said, “Our new high data rate MIL-STD-1553 and IEEE-1394 avionics bus data acquisition modules for the MnACQ-2700 system enable flight test engineers to process more data in the same amount of space, which can help reduce the number of costly test flights. 

“These miniature modules add next-generation capabilities to the MnACQ product line while retaining full backward compatibility with the industry’s largest catalog of data acquisition modules.”

Posted by Abi Wylie Edited by Abigail Wylie, Editor and Copywriter experienced in digital media with a keen interest in ocean science technology. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Sky Power to Showcase ISR UAV Propulsion Technology at XPONENTIAL 2025

Sky Power International will present advanced UAV propulsion technologies at XPONENTIAL 2025, highlighting powerful engines, hybrid systems, and customized solutions for ISR and civilian applications

Apr 29, 2025
Full Ground Autonomy Integrated into Army SMET Vehicle for Uncrewed Breaching

Overland AI demonstrated its latest autonomous ground breaching capabilities at Project Convergence Capstone 5, integrating advanced software, hardware, and aerial payloads for Army experimentation

Apr 29, 2025
Application of Wheel Speed Sensors in INS

Micro-Magic delves into how wheel speed sensors are often used as auxiliary sensors in INS to improve navigation accuracy and suppress accumulated errors of inertial sensors

Apr 28, 2025
Product Spotlight: The Honeywell HG4930 IMU

Honeywell highlights the key features and reliability of the Honeywell HG4930 IMU, a trusted solution for navigation in GNSS-denied environments and challenging conditions

Apr 28, 2025
AI-Driven Cybersecurity Solutions for Embedded Military & Defense Systems

Defense Advancement showcases Periphery's advanced AI-powered cybersecurity threat management solutions for embedded military and defence systems

Apr 28, 2025
GA-ASI Invests in Dutch Firms to Advance Defense Innovation After BMN

GA-ASI is set to invest in two Dutch companies following their selection at the Blue Magic Netherlands defense innovation event

Apr 25, 2025

Featured Content

Sky Power to Showcase ISR UAV Propulsion Technology at XPONENTIAL 2025

Sky Power International will present advanced UAV propulsion technologies at XPONENTIAL 2025, highlighting powerful engines, hybrid systems, and customized solutions for ISR and civilian applications

Apr 29, 2025
Q&A with DEFCROS: Key Insights for the 2025 Expo

DEFCROS Founder Kristijan Ilovača discusses the expo’s rapid growth, international ambitions, and how the event aims to support defense and security innovators

Apr 24, 2025
Ophir® FoldIR Lens Enhances Long-Range Imaging for Defense & Security Operations

The new Ophir® FoldIR 25-275mm MWIR zoom lens delivers compact, long-range imaging with low-SWaP performance for drones and small gimbal platforms

Apr 17, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.