Enhanced Flight Termination System Study Phase I - IV Reports
Abstract
The goal of the Enhanced Flight Termination System (EFTS) study was to investigate more robust command links for flight termination including message formats and modulation methods. This study was structured into four phases: Phase I. Requirements Definition/Range Infrastructure: The goal of this phase was to research current flight termination systems (FTSs). The Phase I report was completed in September 2000. Phase II. Technology Assessment: This phase explored and analyzed current analog and digital modulation techniques available for FTS applications. Several manageable solutions were identified that would meet the guidelines and requirements established in Phase I. Based upon the best overall value, the modulation schemes that were determined to warrant additional analysis in Phase III were the continuous phase frequency shift keying (CPFSK) and modified high alphabet (MHA) schemes. The Phase II report was completed in March 2001. Phase III. Technology Demonstration: Based upon the information gathered from Phase I and II of the study, further analysis was conducted during Phase III to determine the optimal modulation scheme and the layout of the digital message to be sent from the ground transmitting system to the flight termination receiver. The Phase III report was completed in January 2002. Phase IV. RCC Standards Recommendations: The objectives of Phase IV were to wrap-up all tasks associated with RS-38 and to prepare and initiate the design validation phase. The tasks included generating the RCC tasks necessary to update the RCC standards affected by EFTS, addressing the TEMPEST requirements for security, implementing EFTS with different scenarios, developing new system performance specifications for validation and development, and estimating the costs for developing EFTS and upgrading the country's ground infrastructure.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA413201