Automatic jet engine test system using commercial off the shelf (COTS) hardware and software platforms

The United States Air Force (USAF) currently supports three (3) Jet/Turbo Prop/Gas turbine engine (GTE) test systems. The engine Test/Trim automated system (ETTAS) is used to accomplish field level testing. The pacer comet III (PC III) is used to perform depot level testing, and the automated ground engine test set (AGETS) is used for field level testing of F-100 engines. Each of these test systems is comprised of technologies which vary significantly in age and capability the USAF would prefer to have a single engine test system capable of meeting the requirements of all three of the existing test systems. The engine Test/Trim automated system II (ETTAS II) was designed to replace the existing ETTAS test system for the USAF. One of the design goals for ETTAS II was to provide an upgrade path which would allow the capabilities of the remaining two engine test systems to be incorporated. This paper describes the existing capabilities of ETTAS II, and details how the added requirements of the AGETS and PC III are accommodated. The requirements of the AGETS and PC III include automatic closed loop engine control and vibration signal acquisition and analysis. Additional switching capability, expanded discrete I/O, and a frequency source will also be added to the ETTAS II. The ETTAS II is comprised of commercial off the Shelf(COTS) hardware, and the additional capability added to the ETTAS II will be integrated using COTS equipment the ETTAS II was designed with enough "horsepower" to allow the incorporation of these additional functions without having and adverse impact on system performance.