ME-1000 SOLID STATE RECORDER (SSR)

The ME-1000 Solid State Recorder (SSR) is designed to record multiple channels of instrumentation data in the most demanding data gathering and testing applications and platforms. The ruggedness and reliability of the ME-1000 in high vibration, high shock, extreme temperature, and humid environments make the ME-1000 ideal for installation in high performance aerospace vehicles, missiles, UAV's, armored vehicles, automotive platforms, railroad and mass transit vehicles, heavy equipment, ships and industrial sites.

The SSR utilizes solid state FLASH memory modules as the recording media. There are NO moving parts or fragile mechanical systems to fail or that require routine maintenance.

Solid State Memory The heart of the ME-1000 are commercially-available Type II or Type III PCMCIA FLASH memory modules. Type III FLASH memory modules are available in capacities of 110, 175, 220, 280, 350, and 500 Mbytes. The SSR has slots to accept nine (9) modules for a total recording capacity of 990 Mbytes to 4.5 GigaBytes. And because the system uses industry-standard PCMCIA modules, future FLASH cards with even greater capacities can be installed as they become available to provide for even greater storage capacity. Smaller Type II FLASH modules can be used for capacities less than 990 Mbytes. The reliability of data recorded in the PCMCIA modules is less than one (1) bit errorin 10E14 bits.

Data Interfaces Operational flexibility is provided by programmable data interfaces. Four (4) data channels can be setup as either redundant Mil-Std1553 data busses or PCM channels in combinations. Mil-Std-1553 data busses can be recorded in a selective mode where only programmed remote terminals and sub-addresses are captured, or in a full rate mode where complete bus traffic is captured.

The PCM channels allow interface to NRZ-L data with a Bit Rate Clock. All interface setup is via dip switch settings or programmable settings through a RS-232 data port using the Merlin SSRConfig Windows® 95 software package.

This software package is used to setup both selective or full bus capture of Mil-Std-1553 channels and/or PCM characteristics. This information is stored in internal EEPROMs. Two (2) separate RS-422 asynchronous data interfaces are also standard and are designed to capture the output of a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to record Time Space Position information. Input data rate, Start/Stop bits, and parity are programmable. The SSR accepts an RIG-B timecode input for time-tagging data input in the system. If timecode is not available, an internal clock is used for time-tagging. An Audio channel is also provided with the analog voice information being sampled and stored in memory.

An EVENT MARK input is also available for storing time tags of important test points and events.

Playback Data is not "played back" from the SSR, but downloaded via the SCSI interface directly into a computer for analysis or archival purposes. The large "file" of memory in the SSR can be analyzed and filtered during the post-processing phase directly by your data analysis system. The Merlin SSRReader software package is provided to allow downloading into a Windows 95 computer system, to perform "quick-looks" of the recorded data, and to filter the data into interface specific files for later analysis. The audio channel data is formatted into a ".WAV" file for playback.

Remote Control The SSR is designed to communicate to a remote control device through discrete and serial control and status lines. No local controls or status indications are present on the SSR.

Construction The SSR is a small, lightweight, rugged unit built to survive the rigors of modern testing environments. The chassis houses seven (7) circuit cards and a 28VDC power supply. Modular construction is used to aid manufacturing and for ease of maintenance. All functional circuit cards are accessed through a single cover and are easily removed without any special tools.

The circuit cards have integral heat transfer! support plates which conduct excess heat to the chassis and provide structural support and shielding to the printed-circuit boards. Internal wiring is minimized by having the front panel connectors mounted directly to a circuit board, which is connected to the motherboard by a high density connector. This interconnect board also features integral EMI filtering. The chassis is designed to be hard-mounted, but front hooks and rear retainer holes are provided for quick installation and removal from a mounting tray.