Sub Miniature Telemetry Instrumentation

This proposal describes an SBIR Phase I program to establish a producible low cost design that enables the implementation and use of Subminiature Telemetry instrumentation to support future Air Force test missions. The Subminiature Telemetry concept, initially developed and tested under DOD Test and Technology and Demonstration funding, has long been viewed as an attractive alternative method for instrumentation of munitions and/or fleet aircraft. Because the system and its key subsystem devises, the Integrated Telemetry Package (ITP) and Receiver Demodulator Unit ((RDU), have not migrated towards low cost, producible devices, the SMT concept has not provided the gains that could be realized with its use. This SBIR program takes advantage of the latest in commercial technology and low cost production to satisfy the requirements for SMT instrumentation. The SBIR effort focuses on determining the best approach for multiple access and frequency use, and provides for the determination of an approach to a fesible producible SMT.ViaSat has developed and demonstrated a very similar system, the Miniaturized Data Acquisition Transceiver (MiniDAT). This system encompasses the features of the SMT system, using a commercially oriented PC Card (PCMCIA Type II card) architecture. Using lessons learned from the development of the MiniDAT system, and ViaSat's knowledge of spread spectrum communications and PC Card technology and manufacturing, production design cost goals can be established and achieved for an SMT system.