Automation, Bioengineering, Avionics, and Training Systems

The Institute provides engineering expertise in designing and developing automated systems used by industry and government. Staff engineers provide products for aircraft, support equipment, and training, and also design and implement software products, intelligent transportation systems, automated manufacturing systems, industrial engineering solutions, and communications electronics. SwRI is a leader in the development of blood pressure, cardiac output, pulse oximetry, and vital signs monitors.

A successful internal research program at the Institute led to the development of a fuzzy-logic algorithm that controls complex robotic assembly tasks. The results of this work are being applied to the design of a prototype system for assembling automotive transmission torque converters for a major automobile manufacturer. The special algorithm developed gives the assembly robot a sense of "feel" to properly fit individual turbine blades into the torque converter housing.

An internal research project at the Institute is developing machine vision methods for detecting animals on or near roadways so that motorists can be alerted to safely take evasive action.

The Institute is applying machine vision technology to a system that inspects insulators on high-voltage electrical transmission towers. Faulty insulators are detected using a combination of thermal infrared and visible light imaging techniques.

Machine vision technology is being used to inspect insulators on high-voltage electrical transmission towers. Faulty insulators are detected using thermal infrared and visible light imaging techniques.

SwRI is responding to a need at Warner-Robins Air Logistics Center to reduce the chemical paint stripping required for airframe components that have been detached from the aircraft. The robotic facility under development uses plastic media blasting, similar to the previous SwRI system for depainting F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft. The new programmable system will strip components such as wings, flaps, and doors for a variety of aircraft, and is projected to decrease the chemical stripping workload by as much as 80 percent.

Texas has a number of advanced Traffic Management Centers (TMCs) either deployed or in the final stages of development, including three of the nation's 10 largest metropolitan areas: Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. Other areas in Texas deploying TMCs are Austin, El Paso, Laredo, and Pharr. The TMCs have been developed using at least four distinct system architectures. SwRI is working for the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration to develop a center-to-center communications project that uses national intelligent traffic system standards to gather and display information on traffic conditions and to enable command and control of devices among dissimilar TMCs. 

A team of SwRI radio frequency, digital, software, and communications engineers worked closely with a commercial wireless company to develop a unique Personal Communications Services (PCS) system targeted initially for the rural U.S. market. The new system would complement, rather than compete with, existing PCS systems that are ubiquitous in urban areas and the connecting corridors along interstate highways. The system employs low-cost radio repeaters, called signal and network extenders, to achieve wide coverage and range.

SwRI provides the telecommunications industry with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) test, design, and analysis services. The EMC telecommunication tests are performed in accordance with Telcordia Technologies (formerly known as Bellcore) Standard GR-1089-CORE for levels 1 through 3. Telecommunications equipment must be qualified in accordance with test standards before it can be marketed in the United States. This includes ensuring that the equipment meets requirements for radiated immunity at 10 volts per meter from 10 kHz to 10 GHz, Federal Communications Commission regulations for radiated emissions, and lightning transients and AC power cross surges.

An internal research project is investigating the potential for an electrically small antenna that may provide efficient radiation over an extremely wide bandwidth. The antenna under investigation is best described as a tapered area small helix (TASH) antenna. SwRI engineers are performing antenna software simulations and verification tests to better understand the TASH antenna characteristics so that performance can be optimized. If successful, design procedures for the new TASH antenna will be established. TASH antenna configurations have potential uses in communications as well as for more esoteric applications, including directed energy weapons. 

An SwRI-developed center-to-center communications project for the Texas Department of Transportation connects independent Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) management centers across Texas. An initial application will provide a unified view of traffic conditions in cities that have deployed ITS. The Institute serves as the TxDOT statewide integrator for ITS programs in Texas.

For the U.S. Army, SwRI engineers are implementing the LifeLink^TM system for the Level 1 trauma center at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. LifeLink is a telemedicine application for use during pre-hospital transport in emergency medical cases. The system provides real-time, live, interactive video, voice, and data communications between mobile emergency response units and hospital emergency rooms. The concepts were developed at SwRI and deployed in concert with the Texas Department of Transportation TransGuide® Advanced Traffic Management System. Federal and state departments of transportation provided funds for the initial deployment in 1997 as part of the Intelligent Transportation System program.

SwRI bioengineers are studying newly available, miniaturized motion sensors that measure the motion of an electrocardiogram (ECG) electrode, which causes noise in the ECG called motion artifact - a major unsolved problem in ECG monitoring. The information is then used in algorithms that reduce the amount of motion artifact introduced in the ECG. Successful completion will result in a substantial improvement in ECG monitoring, the most prescribed diagnostic procedure in medicine.

SwRI bioengineers have continued to explore methods to diagnose cardiovascular diseases and injuries using techniques that are inexpensive and noninvasive. One such method analyzes blood pressure waveforms, pressure waves through the arteries generated with each beat of the heart. The shape and size of these waveforms are determined in part by whether the arteries are healthy or diseased. The Institute is conducting a long-term study to determine the general elasticity of arteries - a measure of their health - as well as areas of arterial stenoses, abnormal narrowing of the arteries.

With support from the National Library of Medicine of the National Institutes of Health, SwRI bioengineers are continuing their investigation to extract information about how electrical signals are transmitted through the heart. Physicians map the heart's electrical conduction pathways by placing sophisticated catheter arrays inside the heart. The amount of data generated during the procedure is significant. To assist physicians interpret the data, diagnostic software is being developed at SwRI to provide physicians with an automated method of identifying the conductive pathways based on the signals obtained from the catheter arrays. 

SwRI engineers are developing a direct Raman imaging technique that provides a cost-effective tool for the study of drug mechanisms at the cellular level. This is of great importance to the evaluation and development of anti-cancer drugs. In work with the drug Taxol, Raman images have been used to determine the areas within breast tumor cells in which Taxol concentrates. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using direct Raman imaging to study the distribution of anti-cancer agents in single living cells. They are being extended to quantitative studies in drug uptake, resistance, and intracellular pharmacokinetics.

SwRI bioengineers have developed a new, noninvasive method of diagnosing the success of spinal fusion surgeries. As many as 80 percent of patients report pain after surgery, so physicians need to determine whether the fusion was successful or if any pain comes from a new source. The new method uses a prototype device consisting of two primary parts. One is a sensor, rigidly attached to each vertebra involved in the fusion at the time of surgery. The second is a computerized interrogator used by the physician to query the passive sensor. The prototype device measures the sensor's response to patient movement and determines whether motion exists between the vertebrae.

A sensor, developed by SwRI bioengineers, is surgically attached to two fused vertebrae. Its response to a patient's movements can be queried by a computerized instrument to help physicians noninvasively determine the success of spinal fusion surgery.

SwRI analysts developed an Oracle-based implementation of the Air Force Aircraft Structural Integrity Program for the C-130 Hercules fleet. The program stores aircraft usage data and uses the data to compute the incremental damage a mission has inflicted on structural components. These crack growth analysis techniques allow aircraft managers to predict failure of a structural component and initiate an inspection of the area to determine the actual damage. If no damage is discovered, the inspection action resets the crack growth to a predetermined length and the aircraft continues to fly. SwRI is also transferring this technology to the U.S. Navy C/KC-130 fleet. The converted system will establish Navy crack growth management criteria and enable a comparison of the two management methods, eventually leading to improved fatigue life management methods for both services.

SwRI engineers developed a flightline tester to assist in troubleshooting A-10 Thunderbolt II avionics. The tester consists of a portable, automated test station and an operational test program (OTP). The OTP provides system-level troubleshooting of line-replaceable units connected to the MIL-STD-1553B avionics bus. The OTP software allows the maintainer to perform noninvasive troubleshooting through user-friendly graphical interfaces. 

SwRI engineers developed a computer-controlled unmanned powered parafoil (UPP) equipped with a payload that dispenses liquid spray while in flight. Developed for the Marine Corps Non-Lethal Directorate, the system is intended to provide non-lethal crowd control options for the U.S. military. The UPP was fitted with a pan-tilt camera to continually locate the impact point of the liquid spray. Using computer-assisted flight modes and the camera image, a remote operator can direct the UPP over a target at low altitude and release the spray.

The Corpus Christi Army Depot tests and repairs U.S. Department of Defense rotary wing aircraft. SwRI engineers upgraded the support equipment that tests the digital electronic control (DEC) for AH-64 Apache, UH-60B Black Hawk, and SH-60 Seahawk helicopters. The upgrade provides test capability for the newest versions of engine controls, reduces test times for increased shop productivity, and enhances the automated test software.

SwRI engineers assisted a foreign air force in modernizing its CH-53 2000 helicopter fleet. The project required reverse engineering an obsolete, 1960s-vintage flight control system and designing modifications to a newer MH-53 flight control to provide a cost-effective form, fit, and function replacement. Flight tests qualified the new design. SwRI engineers also trained the host country's engineers and technicians to troubleshoot and support the new flight control system.

SwRI engineers are upgrading the B-52 Stratofortress bomb navigation system trainers in use at Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, and Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. The modernized trainers will support avionics maintenance training classes with up-to-date, computer-based training equipment. SwRI training specialists will also enhance the trainer simulation software to provide a user-friendly graphical interface for instructors and additional simulation capabilities for future aircraft avionics upgrades.

SwRI engineers are upgrading the B-52 Stratofortress Bomb Navigation Systems Trainer to support avionics maintenance training classes with up-to-date, computer-based training equipment. SwRI training specialists will also enhance the trainer simulation software with a graphical interface for instructors and additional simulation capabilities.

SwRI engineers are involved in a variety of military, commercial, and internally funded virtual reality (VR) projects. These VR-based training systems provide a computer-mediated experience in which trainees can realistically interact with live or virtual objects in a synthetic environment. VR technologies are being explored for training applications such as military and law enforcement; trainers for aircraft, vehicle, and crew-operated weapons; and medical applications for training in dentistry and surgical procedures. In addition to identifying major technology strengths and weaknesses, the primary goals are not only to determine which technologies are suitable for training systems, but also which training tasks are possible using VR technologies.

The U.S. Air Force Theater Aerospace Command and Control Simulation Facility has contracted with SwRI to enhance the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) mission crew simulator recently completed by SwRI for the Air Education and Training Command. The PC-based network incorporates man-machine interfaces needed to provide quality training to AWACS mission crews. The new capabilities include improved interrogation friend or foe (IFF) models to provide more realistic IFF responses and inclusion of a simulated TADIL-J tactical datalink capability.

SwRI specialists at O'Fallon, Illinois, are training personnel of the Air Force Air Mobility Command (AMC) in the use of the G081 system used for tracking AMC assets worldwide. SwRI produced a user manual, desktop reference guide, and a computer-based training program for each of 14 work centers that use G081 regularly. Users in each center are trained to enter and extract aircraft maintenance data, to design reports, and to schedule and track maintenance actions.

SwRI courseware development specialists at Hill AFB, Utah, provided technical training development for the Power Systems Division of the Commodities Directorate at the Ogden Air Logistics Center. Twenty-six power system training courses were developed, including gas turbine engine overhaul; F-16 Fighting Falcon jet fuel starter teardown, buildup, and test; B-1B Lancer accessory drive gearbox overhaul and test; F-15 Eagle aircraft mounted accessory drive teardown, buildup, and test; electron beam welding; and B-1B power take-off balancing.

Institute analysts have integrated English language conversational interface software technology into the U.S. Army's Post Fielding Support Analysis (PFSA) system to allow ad hoc query capability of supply and maintenance data using a networked computer. UH-60B Black Hawk helicopter units use this information to improve readiness and to reduce costs. 

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