MATE INTERFACE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY (ICA) STANDARD

THE MATE PROGRAM OFFICE HAS REQUESTED A REVIEW OF THE MATE GENERAL PURPOSE ELECTRICAL INTERFACE CONNECTOR STANDARD TO IMPROVE THE GUIDANCE TO DEVELOP THE MATE INTERFACE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY (ICA). THIS STUDY WILL GATHER INFORMATION, ANALYZE THE RESULTS AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS TO VERIFY THAT THE ICA WILL MEET PROJECTED AIR FORCE TESTING REQUIREMENTS IN A COST EFFECTIVE MANNER. THE FOLLOWING TECHNICAL OBJECTIVES WILL BE COMPLETED AS PART OF THE PHASE I STUDY: 1. IDENTIFY THE QUANTITY AND TYPES OF TEST SIGNALS REQUIRED TO SATISFY CURRENT AND FUTURE AIR FORCE TEST REQUIREMENTS. 2. DETERMINE IF THE MATE ICA STANDARD SHOULD INCLUDE INCREASED DIGITAL CAPABILITY. 3. DETERMINE A METHOD TO MAKE THE DIGITAL AREA OF THE ICA TRANSPORTABLE TO SUPPORT DIFFERENT LOGIC LEVELS. 4. DETERMINE IF THE MATE ICA STANDARD SHOULD PERMIT DIFFERENTIAL LINE DRIVERS AND RECEIVERS AT THE INTERFACE. 5. DETERMINE IF UNIVERSAL PIN CAPABILITIES CAN BE PROVIDED IN THE ICA. 6. DETERMINE IF PIN ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CAN BE INSERTED INTO THE CURRENT MATE ICA STANDARD WITHOUT IMPACTING THE MATE OBJECTIVE TO ACHIEVE TPS INTEROPERABILITY BETWEEN MATE ICAS. 7. SURVEY ICA TECHNOLOGIES AND IDENTIFY POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ICA STANDARD.