Study of wireless transmission protocol technology for use in flight line environment to assist the data uploading and downloading on aircraft

• Main Author: Meng, Ow Keong
• Other Authors: Lundy, Bert
• Format: Others
• Published: Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School Marc
• Subjects: Wireless communication systems; Jet planes; Radar equipment; Databases; Records; IEEE 802.11b; EDNA; WLAN; FSO; Wireless transmission protocol; Radar warning receiver; Aircraft; F-16
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10945/1638

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited === Presently, the required data file to be loaded onto the Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) onboard the F-16 aircraft is done manually by the aircraft technicians, two to three hours prior to the actual flight time. This process should be automated. As such there is a need to look into the use of wireless transmission technology to complement or replace the manual method of loading the critical data file from the command station onto every F-16 aircraft. The present wireless technology is relatively mature and stable. In this thesis, the feasibility of incorporating and adapting this technology for use in the flight line environment is examined. The propagation effect in wireless transmission is also studied and recommendations proposed with regards to the installation of wireless facilities in the flight line. In addition, the EDNA, a portable maintenance aid that comes with the F-16 aircraft for loading the data file, has to be upgraded. Hence, a system feasibility study is carried out to adapt or upgrade the present equipment to wireless transmission capability. === Major, Republic of Singapore Air Force