Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02525996 2005-11-08
STANDOFF LAND ATTACK-EXPANDED RESPONSE DEVICE
COMPUTER
Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an operator interface for a mobile
platform
and, more particularly, to a circuit and method for increasing the types of
stores an
aircraft may control without modifying the data management system of the
aircraft.
Background of the Invention
Modern combat aircraft rely on their onboard data management system to
communicate with, and control, smart weapons stored on attachment points of
the
aircraft. While a weapon is stored on the attachment point, a MIL-STD-1553
data bus
typically provides connectivity between the weapon and the data management
system.
Once the weapon has been launched, a data link pod on the aircraft store pylon
typically provides an RF link between the data management system and the
airborne
weapon. One such data link pod is the AN/AWW-13 pod developed by the Naval
Avionics Center and described in publication number 1342AS 114 dated Nov. 15,
1988.
Additionally, modern weapons such as the exemplary SLAM-ER (Standoff
Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response) missile, available from the Boeing Co.
of
Chicago, IL, provide a channel of video imaging from a seeker located on the
weapon. The imaging allows an aircrew member onboard the aircraft to see where
the missile is headed. By issuing commands via the RF link, the aircrew member
may
then adjust the weapon's trajectory accordingly. Moreover, with the current
state of
world affairs, the imaging allows the aircrew member to identify high value
targets
-1-
CA 02525996 2005-11-08
that suddenly appear and then to re-task the weapon accordingly. Clearly, such
man-
in-the-loop (MITL) capabilities provide a degree of flexibility that is highly
sought
after. The dual role F/A-18, also available from the Boeing Co. of Chicago, IL
represents one exemplary platform that may be fully equipped to carry MITL
weapons such as the SLAM-ER
Unfortunately, despite the capability of the data link incorporated in the
AN/AWW-13 pod, many platforms would require extensive modification to
incorporate MITL capabilities. For instance, not all P-3 maritime patrol
aircraft,
available from the Lockheed Martin Corporation of Bethesda, MD, are configured
for
MITL weapons. Instead, these P-3s typically use the AN/AWG-19 HACLCS to
launch non-MITL weapons such as the Harpoon cruise missile (also available
from
the Boeing Company of Chicago, IL).
To upgrade such platforms to include MITL capability would require
expensive, time-consuming modifications that would take the platform out of
service
during the modification. In addition, those skilled in the art will recognize
that the
modified platform will have to be recertified, thereby aggravating the cost
and delay
associated with the upgrade.
Moreover, many modern weapons (the SLAM-ER for example) allow new
mission plans to be downloaded into them during flight, but before launch from
the
platform. Typically, the new missions are programmed into an electronic file
using
mission planning software. The resulting mission file is downloaded into the
weapon
prior to launch. An exemplary mission planning application is the Joint
Mission
Planning System (JMPS) developed by the China Lake Naval Weapons Station of
China Lake, CA. As with MITL capability, the platform must be equipped to
-2-
CA 02525996 2005-11-08
accommodate the JMPS system. Otherwise, adding planning capability to the
platform requires another expensive and time-consuming platform modification.
Summary of the Invention
It is in view of the above problems that the present invention was developed.
The present invention includes apparatus and methods for extending the
capabilities
of mobile platforms, heretofore incapable of MITL weapons control, to provide
MITL
capability without requiring platform modification and its attendant
disadvantages.
In particular, the present invention includes apparatus to operate a MITL
capable weapon from a pre-existing aircraft not otherwise capable of
controlling the
missile. The apparatus may be a personal computer (e.g. a ruggedized lap-top
computer) that accepts data and sends commands from several interfaces. First,
the
laptop accepts operator inputs entered via a joystick, via an external data
entry panel,
or via its keyboard and a graphical user interface. Subsequently, the PC
transforms
the inputs into commands for the attachment point subsystem, the data link
pod, and
the weapon.
The commands are then sent to the appropriate destinations over, for example,
one or more MIL-S-1553 buses. In turn, the laptop accepts feedback from the
attachment point subsystem, the data link pod, and the weapon over these 1553
bus(es). Additional communications between the laptop and the weapon may occur
over discrete input and output channels. The laptop also accepts imaging data
from
the weapon via the data link pod despite the lack of proper aircraft
outfitting for such
capability. The imaging may then be displayed, recorded, and played back on
the
laptop. In addition, the imaging may be uploaded to the aircraft data
management
system via an aircraft docking station to which the laptop is docked.
-3-
CA 02525996 2009-08-18
Additionally, the apparatus may be configured to execute mission-planning
software such as the JMPS (Joint Mission Planning System) application.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for
a mobile platform. The system includes an attachment point for a store, a data
management system for communicating data amongst a plurality of other mobile
platform systems and an operator and including a docking station. T he
platform
includes a data link operatively associated with the attachment point to allow
the store
and at least one of the platform systems to communicate. The system also
includes a
circuit adapted to dock to the docking station. The docking station includes
an input
for accepting commands from the operator, a first data port for sending
commands to
at least one of the data link and the store based on the commands, and a
second data
port for accepting imaging from the store.
The system may further include a video digitizer associated with the circuit
to
communicate with the second data port and to digitize the imaging.
The system may further include a video digitizer adapted to be interposed
between the data link and the second data port to digitize the imaging from
the store
and to forward the digitized imaging to the second data port.
The system may further include an IEEE-1394 compatible cable adapted to
connect the digitizer and the second data port.
The system may further include a memory for storing a mission-planning
program to be executed by the circuit.
The system may further include a data entry device adapted to communicate
with the circuit via the input.
The system may further include an RS-232 compatible cable adapted to
connect the data entry device and the input.
-4-
CA 02525996 2009-08-18
The system may further include a joystick associated with the device.
The circuit may be adapted to forward the imaging to the data management
system display.
The circuit may be adapted to be carried onboard the mobile platform.
The system may further include at least one of a firmware containing the
circuit and a personal computer containing the circuit.
The imaging may be one of at least infrared and visible electromagnetic
radiation.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
computer for use on a mobile platform including an attachment point for a
store, a
data management system for communicating data amongst a plurality of mobile
platform systems and an operator and including a docking station. The mobile
platform includes a data link operatively associated with the attachment point
to allow
the store and at least one of the mobile platform systems to communicate. The
computer includes a docking port to dock to the docking station, an input for
accepting commands from the operator, a data port for sending commands to at
least
one of the data link and the store based on the inputs, and an image port for
accepting
imaging from the store.
The computer may further include a video digitizer to communicate with the
image port and to digitize the imaging.
The computer may further include an external video digitizer adapted to be
interposed between the data link and the image port to digitize the imaging
from the
store and to forward the digitized imaging to the image port.
The image port may be IEEE-1394 compliant.
-4a-
CA 02525996 2009-08-18
The computer may further include a memory for storing a mission-planning
program to be executed by the computer.
The computer may further include an external data entry device adapted to
communicate with the input.
The input may be an RS-232 port adapted to communicate with the data entry
device.
The computer may further include a joystick associated with the device.
The computer may be adapted to forward the imaging to the data management
system.
The computer may be adapted to be carried onboard the mobile platform.
The computer may be a laptop computer.
The imaging may be one of at least infrared and visible electromagnetic
radiation.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a mobile
platform. The mobile platform includes an attachment point for a store, and a
data
management system for communicating data between a plurality of mobile
platform
systems and an operator. The data management system includes a docking
station, a
data link operatively associated with the attachment point to allow the store
and at
least one of the mobile platform systems to communicate, and a circuit adapted
to
dock to the docking station. The circuit includes an input for accepting
commands
from the operator, a first data port for sending commands to at least one of
the data
link and the store based on the inputs, and a second data port for accepting
imaging
from the store.
The mobile platform may be an aircraft.
The aircraft may be a P-3.
-4b-
CA 02525996 2009-08-18
The mobile platform may further include an AN/AWW-13 pod including the
data link.
The store may be a SLAM-ER weapon.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method
of preparing a mobile platform to accept a store. The mobile platform includes
an
attachment point for a store, a data management system for communicating data
amongst a plurality of mobile platform systems and an operator, the data
management
system including a docking station, and a data link operatively associated
with the
attachment point to allow the store and at least one of the mobile platform
systems to
communicate. The method involves configuring a circuit to accept operator
inputs, the
circuit adapted to dock to the docking station, configuring the circuit to
send
commands to at least one of the data link and the store based on the inputs,
and
configuring the circuit to accept imaging from the store.
The method may further involve configuring the data management system to
accept the imaging from the circuit.
The method may further involve configuring the data management system to
display the imaging.
The method may further involve docking the circuit to the docking station.
The method may further involve configuring a video digitizer to digitize the
imaging.
The method may further involve configuring the circuit to execute mission-
planning program.
The method may further involve configuring the circuit to communicate with
an external data entry device.
-4c-
CA 02525996 2009-08-18
The method may further involve carrying the circuit onboard the mobile
platform.
Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the
structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are
described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the
specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and
together with
the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the
drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an aircraft in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a block view of a system in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method in accordance with another preferred
embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 4 is a flowchart of another method in accordance with a further
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers
indicate like elements, Figure 1 illustrates an aircraft 10 having launched a
MITL
weapon 12, and a bi-directional electromagnetic (e.g. RF) link 14 allowing
communication between the two vehicles. In particular, the figure illustrates
a store
pylon 16 on the aircraft 10 for attaching the weapon 12 under a wing (or
fuselage) of
-4d-
CA 02525996 2009-05-25
Attorney Docket No. 6663 8-44458
the aircraft. Also shown schematically is the data link pod 18 through which
the aircraft 10
communicates with the weapon 12 after launch.
An exemplary combination of data link pod 18 and weapon is the AN/AWW-13 pod
and the SLAM-ER missile. Note should be made that the data link pod 18 is
compliant with
MIL-STD-1760. Moreover, whereas a weapon 12 is described therein, the present
invention
is not so limited. For instance, a MIL-S-1760 compatable store may be employed
without
deviating from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Similarly, any
combination of
mobile platform and store may be employed (e.g. a ship or submarine and a
submersible
vehicle or torpedo) may be retrofitted according to the principles of the
present invention
without deviating from the invention's spirit or scope.
With reference now to Figure 2, an integrated system 20, in accordance with
the
principles of another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown.
Generally, the
system 20 includes selected components from pre-existing aircraft systems 22
and additional
components 24 that supply further capability to the aircraft 10. The various
individual
components of the system 20 will be briefly discussed first, herein, before
turning to a
discussion of the integrated operation of the system 20.
The pre-existing components 22 include the following: the aircraft data
management
system 26 including a docking port 28, the data link pod 30, the store adaptor
subassembly
32, and other aircraft weapons related systems 34 (e.g. INU-
-5-
CA 02525996 2005-11-08
Inertial Navigation Unit, RADAR, and GPS systems). These pre-existing
components 22 communicate with one another via various interconnect
technologies.
For instance, the docking station provides Ethernet connectivity 36. Several
MIL-S-
1553 buses 38 link portions 30A of the data link pod 30, portions 32A of the
store
adaptor, and the other systems 34. Another portion 32B of the store adaptor 32
communicates via hardwired links 42.
With continuing reference to Figure 2, the additional components 24 includes
a circuit 44 that may be, or include, a ruggedized personal computer (PC) or
firmware. In a prefered embodiment the circuit 44 is an industrial laptop
computer,
Model Number FXPAC6 P42G, available from Dolch Computer Systems of Fremont,
CA and may be docked at the docking station 28 via an Ethernet port 45.
Additionally, the computer 44 may include several PCI adaptors as follows. A
first
PCI adaptor 46 may be included for translating the bidirectional
communications
betweeen the computer 44 and the various MIL-S-1553 buses 38. Portion 30B of
the
data link 30 accepts imaging data from the weapon 12. The data link 30B also
communicates this imaging over a hardwired cable 40 to a video digitizer 51.
In turn,
the digitizer 51 digitizes the imaging and transmits it to a PCI adaptor 48,
preferentially in an IEEE-1394 compliant format.
A third PCI adaptor 52, enables the computer 44 to read and generate the
discrete signals carried by the wires 42. Finally, a PMCIA adaptor card 54 may
allow
the addition of a memory 56, to be addressed later herein, to the computer 44.
Another PCI adaptor 64 may provide RS-232 connectivity 66 to an external
data entry panel 58, a joystick 60, and a security device 62. The data entry
panel 58
and joystick 60 allow the aircrew member to enter commands for the weapon 12
to
the computer 44. In parallel the security device 62 prevents unauthorized
personnel
-6-
CA 02525996 2005-11-08
from accessing the system 20 in a manner well known in the art. While the
devices
58 to 62 have been described as being peripheral components, the computer may
include these components via internal hardware, software, or graphical user
interfaces. Thus, the various pre-exisitng components 22 of the aircraft 10
and the
additional components 24 have been briefly described.
Still referring to Figure 2, the integrated system 20 operates as follows.
Aircrew members onboard the aircraft 10 enter commands and other inputs
associated
with the store 12 (see Figure 1) by way of the data entry panel 58 and
joystick 60 (e.g.
guiding the weapon with the joystick). In turn, the computer 44 receives the
inputs
via the PCI adaptor 64. Subsequently, the computer 44 translates the inputs to
appropriate MIL-S-1553 messages and discretes and transmits the resulting
outputs
via the appropriate PCI card (either 46 or 52). In this manner, the operator
may
command the data link pod 30, the store adaptor, and the other systems 34
independently of the data management system 26 of the aircraft 10. In similar
manner, the operator may view status information returned from these
subsystems 30
to 34 via the MIL-S-1553 buses 38 and the discrete inputs 42 independently of
the
aircraft 10. Of course, the MITL capable weapon 12 communicates over the
weapon's MIL-S-1553 data bus via the store adaptor 32A before launch.
Notably, the data link pod 30B may be receiving imaging from the weapon 12
after launch. Those skilled in the art will understand that the imaging is
typically of
the infrared or visible portion of the electro magnetic spectrum, though the
current
invention is not so limited. If imaging is being received, the video digitizer
51
reformats the imaging to an IEEE-1394 format and transmits the reformated
imaging
to the PCI adaptor 48 via the cable 50. The computer 44 then displays the
imaging on
either an internal display (e.g. the computer's monitor) or a monitor
associated with
-7-
CA 02525996 2005-11-08
the data entry panel 58. In addition, the computer 44 may store the imaging
internally
or forward it to the data management system 26 via the docking station 28.
Accordingly, the aircrew member has the information and controls available at
the computer 44 to operate the weapon and associated aircraft systems
independently
of the aircraft data management system 26. In particular, during the terminal
phase of
the weapon's flight the aircrew member may re-task the weapon to a secondary
target
visible in the imaging if the primary target has dissappeared or been
destroyed.
Moreover, considering the fluid nature of modern combat, wherein targets
appear and
dissapear quickly, the weapon may be re-tasked upon the sudden observance of a
high
value target in the imaging.
As those skilled in the art will recognize, a program or software application
resides within the computer 44 to receive the crewmember commands, translate
them
into suitable outbound commands for the data link 30, store adaptor 32, and
the other
systems 34. The software also includes the capability to translate incoming
data from
the data link 30, store adaptor 32, the other systems 34, and in particular
the video
digitizer 51 into a format suitable for display on the data entry panel 58.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the computer 44, of the present
embodiment, resides in parallel with the pre-existng weapons systems. Thus,
the
aircraft 10 may operate non MITL weapons on the data link pod 30 when the
computer 44 is idle or absent. Moreover, the aircraft 10 may be configured
with
multiple stores adaptors 16 each individually tailored to operate either MITL
capable
weapons 12, or not, as desired by the aircraft owner. Likewise, the computer
44 may
be used to operate non-MITL weapons.
In yet another embodiment, the present invention also provides the capability
to allow mission planning onboard the aircraft 10 whether the aircraft is
configured to
-8-
CA 02525996 2005-11-08
allow the planning capability or not. By storing a mission planning program,
or
application such as JMPS, in the computer 44, the operator may plan a mission
for the
weapon 12 on the computer 44. In particular, the operator may run the mission
planning software, accessing relevant data from the various onboard systems
(e.g. the
INU, RADAR, and GPS) as necessary to create and download a program into the
weapon 12 via the weapons data bus 38 and the store adaptor 32A. Thus, the
present
invention also provides the benefit of mission planning for weapons even if
the
aircraft is not so equipped.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method of adding
MITL capability to non MITL capable platforms is also provided. In general,
the
exemplary method 100 illustrated in Figure 3 includes configuring the computer
44
and, if desired, configuring the aircraft 10. It will be understood hereing
that the term
"configure" includes connecting cabling and other hardware. Moreover, for
embodiments including firmware and other custom circuits in lieu of the
computer 44,
"configure" will be construed to mean programming logic devies (e.g. EEPROM)
and
otherwise physically configuring the circuit (e.g. adjusting gains or filter
settings).
Additionally, it will be further understood that the exact ordering of the
steps shown
need not be followed to adhere to the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
With reference now to operation 102 of Figure 3, configuring the computer
includes installing software to allow the computer to accept and translate
weapon
control inputs from the data entry panel. Configuring the computer also
includes
installing software to send the commands to the data link, store adaptor, and
other
aircraft systems (see operation 104). If peripheral devices (e.g. a data entry
panel or
joystick) are to be used in lieu of internal devices, then software may also
be required
-9-
CA 02525996 2005-11-08
to control these external components. See step 106. Of course, all of the
software
entities may be included in one integrated application.
Additionally, configuring the computer may include installing software to
accept the video imaging (and if necessary digitize it). See step 108. The
video
functions may also be included in the single, integrated application program.
Depending on the digitizer chosen, it too may require configuration,
particularly in
terms of initializing software or the addition of video capture cards. In the
alternative,
if the computer is to include an internal digitizer, than additional computer
configuration may be required as in step 110. Additionally, if mission
planning
capability is desired, the mission planning software should be installed as in
operation
112. Preferentially, the computer is configured prior to carrying it onboard
the
aircraft in opertion 114. Likewise, the computer may be docked to the work
station,
in operation 116, at any time.
In the meantime, some minimal configuration of the aircraft may be desirable.
If it is desired for the data management system to either accept, store, or
display, the
video imaging from the computer 44 (see Figure 2) then accomodations (e.g.
allocation of memory or selection of a display) may be made. See steps 120 and
122.
Though, because the present invention provides all of these capabilities
within the
computer 44, such aircraft configurations are not necessary for practicing the
present
embodiment of the invention. Once the configuration of the computer and
aircraft (if
necessary) are complete, and the computer is docked to the work station, MITL
weapons may be operated from the aircraft, as in step 124.
Thus, as further illustrated by Figure 4, the aircrew member may operate a
MITL weapon 12 with the computer 44 as follows. First, the aircrew member
docks
the computer to the aircraft docking station and boots the machine as in
operation
-10-
CA 02525996 2005-11-08
202. The crewmember may then open the mission planning software and plan a
mission. See operation 204.
In parallel, the operator may have opened the software containing the weapon
pre-launch, launch, and post launch routines as shown at operation 208. Once
the
misssion (or revised mission is ready), the crewmember then downloads the
mission
to the memory onboard the weapon via a MIL-S-1553 bus that communicates with
the
weapon in operation 210. As the time for launching the weapon approaches, the
aircrew member initializes the data link pod as in operation 212. In operation
214, at
a time desirable from a mission execution perspective, the crewmember prepares
the
weapon for flight by initializing it with the aircraft's current attitude and
GPS
coordinates (as acquired from the systems onboard the aircraft or elsewhere).
Then,
at the planned time, the crewmember performs operation 216 to launch the
weapon.
The crewmember then commands the data link pod to "Post Launch" mode to turn
the
data link on. See step 218.
With the weapon away, the aircrew member controls the flight of the weapon
as desired according to the data and imaging received from the weapon. In
particular,
because the present invention provides the crewmember real time video feedback
from the weapon, the operator may accurately control the weapon through the
terminal phase of the mission. See operation 220.
With continuing reference to Figure 4, the crewmember may then decide
whether to launch another weapon. If so, the crewmember returns from operation
224
to operation 214. Of course, the crewmember may also plan a mission for the
next
weapon before launching it. If no other weapon launches are desired, operation
226
shows the system (i.e. the computer and data link) being deactivated.
-11-
CA 02525996 2005-11-08
In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several advantages of the
invention are achieved and attained. In particular, a mobile platform (that
heretofore
did not possess MITL capability) has been enhanced with MITL capability.
Notably,
the embodiments described herein, provided the enhancement without requiring
extensive modification and recertication of the platform. Accordingly, the
present
invention provides a less expensive and quicker system and method to upgrade
the
capabilities of non-MITL weapons platforms.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the
principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable
others skilled
in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with
various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods
herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the
invention, it is
intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in
the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than
limiting. Thus,
the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of
the
above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in
accordance
with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
-12-
