Applying distributed architecture to the modernization of US Air Force Jet engine test cells

The US Air Force recently completed the development and initial installation of the Pacer Comet 4, the Air Forcepsilas advanced next generation jet engine test system. The system will be used at the Air Forcepsilas propulsion depot at Tinker AFB, OK, to test fifteen different engine Type/Model/Series (TMS), as well as future engine test requirements. A total of ten Pacer Comet 4 systems are planned to be installed at Tinker AFB. A primary design feature of the Pacer Comet 4 is the implementation of a distributed architecture. This architecture was used in the design of both the hardware and software, and provides benefits in areas critical to test system performance. This includes system operation, diagnostics, prognostics, calibration, and hardware and software maintenance. The architecture also lends itself to future installations, and provides scalability for expanded or even reduced requirements. This paper details the distributed architecture of the Pacer Comet 4, with emphasis on the software, and the benefits realized from this implementation.