Curtiss-Wright’s Defense Solutions Division today further expanded its range of data acquisition systems designed for use in demanding flight test programs with the introduction of the flight test industry’s highest speed and most capable PCM packetizer module. The new dual data channel AXN/PCM/401 IRIG-106 PCM decoder/merger and packetizer module simultaneously combines information from one or two IRIG-106 PCM streams, using clocked line (up to 40 Mbps) or self-clocking codes (up to 20 Mbps), into industry standard packets. Data from each stream is parsed individually into a minor frame buffer from which it can be read coherently over the backplane. The flexible AXN/PCM/401 is the industry’s first PCM merger module to support all PCM line codes and data rates up to 40 Mbps. It enables flight test engineers to merge data captured by legacy third-party PCM subsystems into modern networked FTI data acquisition systems. The module can packetize all industry standard PCM formats, as well as select individual parameters from legacy PCM streams. The AXN/PCM/401 is ideal for use in demanding flight test programs, such as fast jet, missile, and eVTOL testing.

“Our SWaP-optimized Axon data acquisition systems for critical flight test applications lead the industry in providing powerful, modular solutions for demanding FTI programs,” said Brian Perry, senior vice president and general manager, Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions. “Our new dual-channel IRIG-106 PCM decoder/merger and packetizer card delivers unmatched 40 Mbps performance while providing a path for merging data from legacy PCM hardware with data from modern networked DAU systems.”

About the Axon Product Family

The Axon product family is the most advanced airborne data acquisition system available today, offering low SWaP with the best feature set, data acquisition, and thermal performance on the market. The Axon product family builds on Curtiss-Wright’s heritage as the leading supplier of rugged, reliable data acquisition for aerospace applications.

Axon’s future-proof design, using a high-speed serial backplane (1 Gbps dedicated link per module), ensures future high data rates are supported. Its optimized SWaP design enables an Axon module to be located in tight spaces and operate reliably without requiring bulky heatsinks. Axon modules can be hosted in ultra-miniature Axonite housings and located remotely, separated from the chassis by up to 10 meters. Locating data acquisition closer to the sensors can significantly decrease the installation time and cost of the instrumentation while simultaneously reducing wiring weight. Axonites can also save significant system costs in larger installations by minimizing the number of DAUs required in remote locations and eliminating the need for extra chassis controllers and power supplies.

Axon AXN family modules are optimized for use with Curtiss-Wright Acra KAM-500 network-based DAUs and DAS Studio software.