CTI980101 CONTRACT No. USZA22-97-P-0051 HELMSMAN'S RECORDING ACCELEROMETER Prepared by: Donald F. DeCleene, Principal Investigator Dennis A. Silage, Principal Electrical Engineer Mitchell B. Oslon, Research Engineer Conrad Technologies, Inc. Station Square One, Suite 102 Paoli, PA 19301 KBTKBOnON Apprwsd toe pafolfc® i*&aaam .DLstrttKtttan UnMxnltttd January 1998 PHASE I FINAL REPORT 19980520 123 Prepared for: United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) ATTN: CDR. John Stenard, SOAC-M&R-NSW RIB 7701 Tampa Point Boulevard MACDILL AFB, FL 33621-5323 DTIC QUALITY DJSEECXBD Ä Form Approved REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden tor this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, Including the time televiewing «istructions, searching existing data sources, gcaotlhleecrintigo n anoaf Inmfaoinrmtaianuinog n,t hIne clduadtian gn seeudgegde, staiondn s cfoomr prleedtinugc inagn dth itse vbteu™rdnge n,t hteo Wcoallsehctiinong toonf Hinefoardmqautiaorat erSse nSde rvcoicmemse,.nDtsir ecretograattjiec It er«ln«f_o"r°meanti,o „^n" OSr^»Lra,'t,i"o n*s*a*n„Pd SRe"fpoirTU,' ^1l2ftcSrrfttaerLs.onn Davis Highway. Suite 1204, Arlington. VA 22202-4302. and to the Office of Management and Budget, paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0188). Washington, DC 20503. 1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) 2. REPORT DATE REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED 4 Jan 98 Final Report 4 Jul 97-4 Jan 98 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5. FUNDING NUMBERS Helmsman's Recording Accelerometer USZA22-97-P-0051 6. AUTHOR(S) Donald F. DeCleene Dennis A. Silage Mitchell B. Oslon 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS( ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER Conrad Technologies, Inc. Station Square One, Suite 102 980101 Paoli, PA 19301 9. SPONSORING /MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS( ES) 10. SPONSORING /MONITORING AGENCY REPORT NUMBER United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Attn: Cdr. John Stenard, SOAC-M&R-NSW RIB 7701 Tampa Point Boulevard Macdill AFB, FL 33621-5323 11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 12a. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT 12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. 13. ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words) Report developed under SBIR Contract Special Operation Forces (SOF) must meet mission requirements in all types of sea conditions. High performance craft, forced to operate in rough sea, create rapid onset of high levels of fatigue for craft occupants, resulting in reduced mission performance and creating a higher potential for injury of the craft occupants. The objective of this program is the development of a Helmsman's Recording Accelerometer (HRA) for instrumentation on high performance craft. The HRA is needed to provide the helmsman with real time quantitative acceleration data and to record craft operation data that will allow for post-mission analysis. A Phase II program is required for implementation of the HRA. An HRA test unit, fabricated to meet Phase I objectives, requires operational testing to ensure that the HRA provides data that is beneficial and optimally formatted for the helmsman in controlling the craft. Field tests are essential to establish post-mission database requirements for the HRA and final HRA design requirements. The database is needed to evaluate passenger safety, to develop improved mission operations, to obtain craft performance rating, to identify craft and personnel performance limits, and for the development of effective maintenance. The HRA database will serve to enhance future mission planning. H.sÜBJE'cnERMs — 15. NUMBER OF PAGES SBIR Report Data Acquisition Navigation M_ Seaworthiness Recording Accelerometry 16. PRICE CODE 17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 18. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION 20. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT OF REPORT OF THIS PAGE OF ABSTRACT UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED N$N 7S40-O1-2«0-5S00 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 2-SS) Prescribed by ANSI Std. 239-18 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT The guidance given by Cdr. John Stenard ofUSSOCOM during the course of the effort leading to this report is gratefully acknowledged. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Special Operation Forces (SOF) are required to respond rapidly to mission requirements with high performance craft operating in all types of sea conditions. Mission requirements and sea conditions may be such that severe operational demands are placed on SOF personnel. Acceleration loading on the craft and craft personnel in rough water wave action create rapid onset of high levels of fatigue, resulting in reduced mission performance and creating a higher potential for injury of the craft occupants. It is difficult for the helmsman to judge the wave impact upon the craft, and consequently, to take corrective action for the optimal implementation of mission requirements and for the appropriate protection of the craft occupants. Real time display of vertical acceleration would enable the helmsman to obtain a more immediate and more reliable judgment of the behavior of the craft. This would allow the helmsman to select headings and speeds that would reduce the acceleration loading and injury potential of the wave action. Moreover, a database to archive craft acceleration histories and craft operational data for each mission would allow for improved post- mission analysis and serve to enhance future mission planning, command, performance and safety. Such a database is needed to evaluate helmsman and passenger safety, to develop improved mission operations, to obtain craft performance rating, to identify craft and personnel performance limits, and for the development of improved, and more cost effective, maintenance and inspection procedures. The objective of this program is the development of a Helmsman's Recording Accelerometer (ERA) for console instrumentation on MSW RIB and MK V SOC. The HRA is to display craft acceleration data at the console. This is to provide the helmsman with data that assists the helmsman in choosing speeds and headings for the craft in order that the helmsman is able to reduce the perceived roughness and fatigue placed upon the craft and craft personnel. The HRA is to record the mission data to allow for post-mission analysis of the craft mission and operation. The design and fabrication of an initial HRA test unit has been completed and is available as a result of the Phase I effort of the HRA program. It is recommended that this HRA unit be tested and evaluated in actual field operations in order to further identify, and quantify, features for the HRA that serve to optimize the HRA design for use by the helmsman with the high-performance craft. Testing and evaluation is recommended to ensure that the final design of the HRA meets all system and operational requirements, including such items as the optimal format for the display of information to the helmsman. In addition, it includes the development of procedures for optimizing the operator's selection of operating modes and for the development of a practical command interface. It also includes development of the type, extent and presentation of information required for improved command and control of the craft and for post-mission analysis. Furthermore, it is recommended that craft operating information useful for improving the performance and maintenance of the craft, such as engine boost pressure and engine RPM, be evaluated and incorporated into the HRA data recording. TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY i 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 2.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 2 2.1 Conclusions A 2.2 Recommendations 3 3.0 PHASE I DEVELOPMENT 5 3.1 Purpose and Scope of the Research Effort 5 3.2 Results of Individual Tasks 5 3.2.1 Task 1: Review Functional Requirements 6 3.2.2 Task 2: Establish HRA System Requirements 6 3.2.3 Task 3: Finalize Fabrication and Assembly Details of the HRA 6 3.2.4 Task 4: HRA Fabrication and Assembly 7 3.2.5 Task 5: HRA Design Verification and Calibration Tests 7 3.2.6 Task 6: Application and Installation Support for the HRA 7 3.2.7 Task 7: Preparation of Deliverables 7 4.0 PARAMETERS AND SPECIFICATIONS : • 8 4.1 Helmsman Recording Accelerometer (HRA) 8 4.2 Data Acquisition Component y 4.3 Console Display Component ™ 4.4 Operator's Input Panel Component H 4.5 Data Transfer Adapter n 4.6 Acceleration Sensors n 4.7 Inclinometer and Electric Compass Component 12 4.8 Cables and Connectors 12 4.9 Transportable Data Storage Unit 12 4.10 Post-mission Analysis Computer I2 4.11 Auxiliary Boat Instrumentation Data *2 5.0 HRA TEST UNIT DESCRIPTION 13 5.1 Data Acquisition Component 13 5.2 Console Display and Operator's Input Component 14 5.3 Data Transfer and Display Connector Assembly • 14 5.4 Triaxial Accelerometer Component 15 5.5 Inclinometer and Electronic Compass Component 15 5.6 Cables and Connectors 15 5.7 Auxiliary Boat Instrumentation Data 15 5.8 Portable Computer 16 6.0 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 16 7.0 OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS 20 8.0 REFERENCES 22 APPENDIX A: FIGURES APPENDIX B: DATA FORMAT AND TRANSFER APPENDIX C: SOURCE CODE 1.0 INTRODUCTION Special Operation Forces (SOF) are required to respond rapidly to mission requirements in all types of sea conditions. Mission requirements and sea conditions may be such that severe operational demands are placed both on the operation of the craft, the safety of the craft occupants and the fatigue levels of the craft occupants. Accelerations of the craft and acceleration loading on the craft personnel in rough water wave action is known to induce fatigue and injury on the craft occupants and consequently reducing their mission performance. Sea conditions may be such that it is difficult for the helmsman to judge the wave impact upon the craft, and consequently, to take corrective action for the optimal implementation of mission requirements and for the appropriate protection of the craft occupants. Real time display of vertical acceleration would enable the helmsman to obtain a more immediate and more reliable judgment of the behavior of the craft. This would allow the helmsman to select headings and speeds that would reduce the acceleration loading and injury potential of the wave action. Moreover, a database to archive craft acceleration histories and craft operational data for each mission would allow for improved post-mission analysis and serve to enhance future mission planning, command, performance and safety. Such a database is needed to evaluate helmsman and passenger safety, to develop improved mission operations, to obtain craft performance rating, to identify craft and personnel performance limits, and for the development of improved, and more cost effective, maintenance and inspection procedures. The HRA is needed as a component of the USSOCOM system for the MSW RIB and MK V SOC. It is needed to optimize the mission performance of the helmsman and the MSW RIB and MK V SOC. The development and fabrication of alternative HRA instrumentation to measure acceleration at various locations on the MSW RIB and/or the MK V SOC is well within the capability of available sensor components and data collection techniques. The design and fabrication of the initial HRA test unit is a significant step toward the development of a valuable instrument for enhancing the mission performance of the helmsman and the MSW RIB and MK vsoc. The design and fabrication of an initial HRA unit, intended as a prototype test unit, is completed and available as a result of SBIR Phase I program, reference contract USZA22-97-P-0051. This HRA unit needs to be tested and evaluated in actual field operations in order to identify, and quantify, features for the HRA that serve to optimize the HRA design for use by the helmsman with the high-performance craft. This is necessary to ensure that the development of the HRA is properly directed to meet all system requirements, including such items as the human factors related to the training of the helmsman and the type, location and extent of information required on the behavior of the craft. Craft instrumentation, such as a Helmsman's Recording Accelerometer (HRA) which is designed to measure and display the accelerations encountered by a craft operating at high speed during rough sea conditions, would provide the helmsman with immediate and valuable information on the operation of the craft in the rough water. When properly tested and implemented the HRA system will assist the helmsman in choosing speeds and headings to reduce perceived roughness during SOF missions and to reduce fatigue and increase safety of craft personnel. Utilizing the HRA for recording data will provide post-mission analysis of mission and craft. Post-mission evaluation of the loading on the craft is important to archive craft performance for various sea conditions, to evaluate safety parameters, and to improve craft performance data for future mission planning. The selection of an optimal design for the HRA is influenced by the system factors arising from functional, physical and environmental considerations, and the technical challenge for the practical development of the HRA is the assessment of these system requirements and the design alternatives. Specification of the type of data required, including accuracy and/or resolution, has a significant bearing on the optimal design arrangement. The optimal HRA design is defined not by the development of specialized electrical components but rather by its ability to satisfy the functional, operational, physical, environmental, cost and installation factors for the MSW RIB andMKVSOC. 2.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The results of the Phase I program effort leading to the development and fabrication of a Helmsman's Recording Accelerometer (HRA) for console instrumentation on the MSW RIB and MK V SOC are described in this report. The HRA is needed to reduce the potential for injury to craft personnel and to optimize the mission performance of the helmsman and the craft. It provides a means of significantly improving the command, control and post-mission analysis of the operation of the MSW RIB andMKVSOC. 2.1 Conclusions Design parameters and specifications for the HRA were established under this Phase I program. The design parameters and specifications were established in accordance with the program objective of providing the helmsman with real time quantitative data and providing a record of craft accelerations. The operational environment, the application requirements and available literature on rough sea operation, coupled with the objective of improving rough water operation and providing for post-mission analysis of craft operation, served as the basis for establishing the specifications. The design of a Helmsman Recording Accelerometer (HRA) was completed and an initial HRA unit was fabricated in accordance with the design parameters and specifications established under this Phase I program. The components and details of the HRA were selected from an extensive review of alternative electronic components and hardware options, with final selection based on the ability of the components to meet, or exceed, the established specifications. The initial HRA design was established with programmable features and, as such, allows modification of the HRA data collection and display procedures for adaptation to future, and currently undefined, requirements for optimal helmsman's utilization of the HRA. The initial HRA unit fabricated under this program incorporates, and establishes, the technical conclusions derived in this program. The design and fabrication is formulated in accordance with the parameters and specifications defined by the application, operation and literature review accomplished under this program. The HRA unit provides a practical approach to improving mission performance of the MSW RIB and MK V SOC. The HRA unit fabricated under this program is available for demonstration and mission testing. The parameters and specifications established in this Phase I program are presented in Section 4.0 of this report. The final design arrangement is calibrated and tested through in-house testing of the HRA unit. Operating procedures for the HRA, established for initial field test parameters, are presented in Section 6.0 of this report. The source code established for operation of the HRA is presented in Appendix C of this report. 2.2 Recommendations The most effective HRA design is defined not by the development of an initial design which meets specifications but rather by the ability of the HRA unit to satisfy the functional, operational, physical, environmental, cost and installation factors for the MSW RIB and MK V SOC. As such, operational testing and adaptation of the initial HRA design is necessary to determine the usefulness of the HRA and to effectively develop and employ the HRA. The initial HRA unit, furnished under the Phase I program, must be properly installed and adapted to the helmsman's environment and needs. It is recommended that the HRA test unit be installed and that a Phase II program be undertaken to fully evaluate and optimize the performance and utilization of the HRA under actual field operations. With this approach, the HRA can be optimized and serve as a valuable instrument for enhancing the mission performance of the helmsman and the MSW RIB and MK V SOC. Operational testing of the initial HRA unit is needed to optimize the features of the HRA system. Operational testing is needed to identify additional HRA features that might serve to enhance the use of the HRA. The testing is required for the evaluation of the features that are already incorporated into the HRA system and the identification of the features, functions, scale, information or similar parameters which can serve to enhance the helmsman's control of the high performance craft. The computer processing unit and the programmable features of the display incorporated into the initial HRA test unit provide for easy modification of the display and operating procedures of the current design. The programmable features of initial HRA test unit allow testing and evaluation of alternative display formats in response to the results of the recommended field testing and in response to recommendations resulting from the helmsman's interpretation of the HRA data display and data collection. To properly utilize this programmable feature of the initial unit, it is recommended that operational testing be accomplished to allow for the evaluation of alternative helmsman's display procedures and for alternative computational procedures for the collection and utilization of post-mission data. The type, extent, formatting, display and analysis of HRA data required for improved command and control of the craft and for post-mission analysis are factors to be established in the recommended Phase II program. The ability of the HRA test unit to be reprogrammed and provide evaluation of alternative system procedures provides an opportunity to optimize the HRA system through appropriate operational testing. A Phase II program comprising the following requirements is recommended: 1. Operational testing and application development of the initial HRA design is required. This includes the installation of the HRA and the collection of data on craft operations and system performance. Evaluation of the existing operational parameters of the HRA evaluation of how the HRA is utilized by the helmsman, and identification of the opportunities for utilization of the HRA data by the SOF command is to be accomplished. The evaluation needs to be based on the data collected on the craft performance and on the user's response to the presentation of the data. The evaluation is to be accomplished with data obtained from operational testing of the HRA unit under an established set of operating conditions and mission requirements. This testing and evaluation requires the installation of the initial HRA test unit onto one or more selected craft. It also requires the interfacing of auxiliary boat instrumentation with the HRA test unit and the collection of operational data from the auxiliary boat instrumentation. Additional HRA units are to be provided if required for complete operational testing. 2. The HRA test unit is required to be installed and programmed to archive the entire performance history of a representative set of missions under varied operational conditions. The data to be archived will include data from the HRA instrumentation and auxiliary craft instrumentation. Documentation of sea conditions, wave action and wave onset, preferably through photographs of sea condition, is required to correlate HRA data with sea action. The data collected on sea condition, mission performance and craft operation is to be documented for SOF review. Command and control procedures for improving the operation and mission planning of the MSW RIB and MK V SOC is required based on analysis and evaluation of the collected data. 3. Based on the Helmsman's response, interpretation, and utilization of the displayed data, and/or based on the need for the display of additional or alternative data as determined by the field tests, the Phase II program effort is required to include reprogramming of the process computer and helmsman display. This is required to respond to revised data collection requests by SOF and/or craft helmsman. Programming of the programmable data display is required to evaluate alternative data display formats and to evaluate the helmsman's ability to utilize alternative data formats. Revised data procedures are to be tested and evaluated in subsequent field tests. 4. Mission planning, operational command and operational control procedures are to be identified from the data collected by the testing program. The complete inventory of data collected is to be made available for post-mission analysis of the mission and craft operation. The complete inventory of the data collected will be used to select the data which is useful in post mission analysis and in identifying mission performance. The collected data will be evaluated to identify appropriate procedures for post mission analysis. Procedures to utilize the data for improving mission planning, operational control and command control will be identified. Appropriate computer processing procedures for the selection and post-mission analysis of collected data will be established. 5. Post mission analysis of the data collected will be accomplished to identify mission performance, identify parameters for future mission planning and improve helmsman control procedures. The performance capabilities of the craft, the overall ability of the HRA to provide the helmsman with needed, or desired, operational information and the ability of the helmsman's to utilize HRA data under varied sea conditions will be evaluated through post mission analysis of the operational test data. Post mission analysis will also be utilized to identify sea conditions, the craft's ability to maintain speed and time to destination, the impact of sea roughness on craft personnel, and the overall ability of the HRA to provide the helmsman with desired operational information. 6. The development of a finalized HRA design will be accomplished to satisfy the requirements established by the testing and evaluation and to minimize the fabrication cost of the prototype and production units. Delivery of a pre-production prototype HRA unit in accordance with the finalized design is required. 3.0 PHASE I DEVELOPMENT •V1 Purpose and Scope of the Research Effort The technical objective of this program is the development of a Helmsman's Recording Accelerometer (HRA) for console instrumentation on MSW RIB and MK V SOC. The HRA is to provide the helmsman with real time quantitative acceleration data and to record craft acceleration data for assistance in post-mission analysis and improvement of rough water operation. The HRA is to be capable of displaying and recording selective operational information of the boat, such as boat attitude, that is determined within the Phase I program as being useful and within practical cost limits for the HRA. The program effort under Phase I included the assembly of a prototype HRA developed by CTI and further included technical support for installation of the HRA. The acceleration data displayed by the HRA at the console is to provide the helmsman with data that assists the helmsman in choosing speeds and headings for the craft and allows the helmsman to reduce the perceived roughness and fatigue placed upon the passengers and hull structure. The data recorded by the HRA is provided to allow post-mission analysis of the craft mission and operation. 1.2 Results of Individual Tasks The technical objectives of this program were undertaken in the form of a multi-task program as outlined in the proposal. The hardware references presented in the Phase I proposal and the hardware development procedures presented in the task descriptions of the proposal were used to