Aircraft Gateway Processor

AGP

The AGP is an Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) controller contained within a single, flight qualified Line Replaceable Unit. It is designed to integrate federated ASE sensors and countermeasures to provide a combined threat picture and prioritized tactical response as defined in the user-programmed Pre-Flight Message (PFM).

The AGP evolved from the Integrated ASE Controller in the combat-proven Helicopter Integrated Defensive Aids System (HIDAS) and has been selected by Boeing for integration into the Block II AH-64E Apache and by the UK MOD for front-line combat helicopters.

Enhanced platform survivability and reduced crew workload
Via increased situational awareness of the
threat environment and initiation of optimized
countermeasure responses
Prioritized threats shown on a single Multi Function Display (MFD)
With coordinated audio warnings to prevent
simultaneous reporting to the crew
Mission configurable
By means of user-defined PFM
Data recording
Threat information is captured for post-flight analysis
Flexible architecture
AGP allows for the addition of new and enhanced sensors and countermeasures without requalification of aircraft Operational Flight Programs (OFPs)

Data Recording

A key advantage of the AGP is its ability to record ASE mission data for post-flight analysis. This has three clear benefits:

Analysis of spurious signatures to update PFM and reduce false alarm rates
Ability to use the threat data to enhance battlefield intelligence
Updating theater Electronic Order of Battle. Data is recorded on internal flash memory, accessed by both USB and Ethernet

Prioritized Threats on a Single Multifunction Display

With AGP installed the ASE reporting is user defined and can be managed via a single threat warning page, displayed on an existing screen or via an installed MFD.

Both approaches have previously been adopted. When selected emitters are reported to the crew by the AGP, they are presented on the display, both in relation to each other and the aircraft and also in accordance with their degree of platform lethality. This ability to prioritize threats is user programmable via the PFM.

Aircraft/ASE Link

AGP communicates with the ASE sensors through databases and discrete lines. These include command and mode control, status reporting, threat reporting, receipt/supply of INS data, BIT functions and other data communications.

By making the AGP a Group A solution, the ASE is segregated from the rest of the aircraft systems, providing a low cost implementation. Sensors and countermeasures can then be added or removed without full aircraft re-qualification.

Coordinated Countermeasure Responsing and Audio Reporting

The AGP minimizes detection and countermeasure response anomalies that can occur in a federated ASE configuration. This is achieved by monitoring the combined sensor reports and providing a best-case countermeasure response.

Audio warnings from the ASE equipment and other aircraft systems can also be coordinated by the AGP. These warnings are prioritized according to lethality and reported one by one, rather than simultaneously, as is often the case when the ASE is not integrated.

Dimensions

Height: 7.68 in (19.5cm)
Width: 5.11 in (13cm)
Depth (inc. connectors:) 7.35 in (18.7cm)
Mass: 7.60 lbs (3.45Kg)
Power watts (typical usage:) 30W (1.1A @ 28V)

Bus Types

EIA-232 x 2
MIL-STD 1553B x 2
10\100\1000 Base-T x 2
USB x 1
EIA-422 x 3, 2 of which can support HDLC
EIA-485 x 3
Number of discrete I/O 51

Memory Capacity

RAM: 512MB capacity (<15% typical usage)
Flash: 256MB capacity (<15% typical usage)
NVRAM: 128K capacity (<2% typical usage)
Computation speed: 1GHz PowerPC, with expansion capabilities
Spare Card Slots: 1 x 3U CPCI, AGP includes a spare card slot to enable capability growth