How to Integrate Scientific
Instruments to Computers
In today’s research world, scientists use a lot of instruments to
“see”, to “touch”, to “feel”, and to “listen to” the unknown
objects, so that they can discover the hidden natural principles.
Our planes are filled with many instruments all collecting data
that needs to be integrated.
Serial interface is: a data channel that
transfers digital data in a serial fashion
USB (Universal Serial Bus): hardware interface
for attaching devices to a computer
Ethernet: The global standard for physically connecting
computers and devices together in a network.
Therefore, integrating instruments to PCs
requires Ethernet, USB, Serial, or a wireless
link, driver, and software to make the data flow!
GPS Antenna on
LC-130 Roof Hatch
IcePod Instrument Suite
Block Diagram
Amplifier
Nick Frearson
Columbia University
New York
V2.2 09/30/2011
Monitor
Aircraft Supply
28Vdc or AC bus
Ethernet
Keyboard
GPS Logger
[L1/L2 GPS & GLONASS
Carrier phase]
Power Supply
Conditioning/
UPS
PC
Modules
Router
Removable
Data Storage
SATA bus
Shallow Ice Radar
Ice Depth Radar
1PPS &
Serial NMEA
Master
Control Unit
Inertial Measurement Unit
Laser Scanner
IR Camera
Visible wave Camera
GPS Antenna on
the Pod skin
Environment
Monitor and Control
Power Bus
+28Vdc
Ethernet bus
110V AC Power
LC-130 Cargo Bay
Camera Link bus
110VAC
Supply
Pod Bay
Power
Management
+28Vdc
+32Vdc
1PPS
NMEA
in
Ethernet
Link
Accumulation
Radar
50MBytes/s
RX
TX
+28Vdc
1PPS
NMEA
in
Ethernet
Link
Nadir Pointing
Radar
10MBytes/s
RX
TX
TX/RX Switch
1PPS
NMEA
out
Ethernet
Link
Inertial
Measurement
Unit
1KBytes/s
1PPS
in
Ethernet
Link
Camera
Link bus
Camera
Link bus
Scanning
Laser
Infra-red
Camera
Visible wavelength
Camera
10MBytes/s
3MBytes/s
10MBytes/s
Near-IR Swath
Thermal IR - Frame
Visible Frame
Z
Y
X
2 x 1GHz Radar Antennas
4 x 150MHz Radar Antennas
Inertial Reference