GPS Interface Emulation for Flight Simulators

The objective of this SBIR Phase I project is to develop a GPS interface emulation for flight simulators. The interface emulation allows a Control Display Navigation Unit (CDNU) with an actual aircraft Operational Flight Program (OFP), to function properly in a flight simulator environment as if the aircraft were really flying. In the flight simulator, the GPS navigation system will be replaced by a GPS interface emulation computer. The emulation computer receives real-time 6DOF trajectory data from the flight simulation computer and produces GPS measurement data by a GPS model. The GPS measurement data are then sent to CDNU through a MIL-STD-1553B data bus in a proper format and control protocol. The GPS interface emulation allows the aircraft OFP to be installed directly in the CDNU without modification. In this Phase I project, first, a GPS navigation system model and measurement simulation method is proposed and investigated. Next, the emulation computer configuration is proposed and designed. Then, the MIL-STD-1553B data bus hardware and driver program are designed and implemented. Finally, the CDNU interface emulation computer will be extended to include the interface emulation for an inertial navigation system (INS) or an integrated GPS/INS system, and thus achieve a more versatile interface emulation system for flight simulators and avionics system testing.