2015 IEEE 12th International Conference on Electronic Measurement & Instruments ICEMT'2015

Design of a missile launcher test system based on virtual instrument

i 2 i i
Wang Chenggang , Li Baogang , Yang Fan , Sun Jing
I. Department of Basic Experiment, Naval Aeronautical and Astronautical University, Yantai 26400 1, China
2. Department of Ordnance Science and Technology, Naval Aeronautical and Astronautical University, Yantai 26400 1, China
Email: topwcg(jj)163.com

Abstract In order to meet the requirement of development and

-

field test, a missile launcher test system is designed based on II. OPERATION MECHANISM OF
virtual instrument and PCI bus. The composition, working
principle, hardware and software structure of the system are SYSTEM
introduced. Some key techniques, such as multithreading
technology, signal processing and data storage under
A. System Structure and Working Mechanism
LabwindowslCVI environment are expatiated. It has been used
in development and experiment of a new missile launcher. According to the performance characteristics of a
Application proves that the system has the advantages of easy
new launcher and the requirement of design task, the
implementation, high reliability and good operability.
Keywords - virtual Instrument; PCI Bus; test system;
test equipment must be small and light. It can simulate
multithreading both aircraft and missile work environment to conduct
a comprehensive test of the launch device. The
I. INTRODUCTION principle of the system is shown in figure 1. Test
equipment and missile launcher are connected to form
Launcher is an important part of a missile weapon a closed loop system. It tests aircraft, missiles and bus
system; its role is to carry the missile on the aircraft, communication interface and provides diagnostic
ensure interface connection with other system and information of launch device.
i
control the whole launch process of missile[ l. As an
important part of rail type launcher, electrical
components inside the launcher undertakes power
supply, launch preparation, and identifYing missile
23
through commutating with aircraft avionics system[ - 1.
Launch control box is the core of electric control
equipment, including bus interface with the computer
system and control function circuit, the ignition circuit,
Missile
launch timing control, etc., are used to implement the Interface L':::::===::::J
communication between the aircraft and missile,
Fig. 1: Schematic diagram ofthe test system
complete missiles preparation and launch.
In the development and production stage as well as Major functions of the system can be summarized
in the field environment, it has become an urgent need
as follows:
to achieve convenient testing and maintenance, keeps
in good technical condition and play the greatest ( 1) Simulate control sequence of launch device;
effectiveness in the missile weapon system. It is (2) Simulate signal and timing of the aircraft
necessary to develop launcher test system.
weapon bus;
We applied Virtual Instrument (VI) technology to
develop missile launcher test system. VI makes most (3) Check the correctness of launcher interface with
of the available resources to realize the total functions aircraft electrical interface and missile electrical
of the common instrument and some functions that can
interface;
not be performed by common instruments. The system
can test electrical properties and electrical components (4) Test technique state of launch device circuit box
(circuit box, power box) quickly and conveniently. It and power box;
can simulate various fault state of missile launcher
(5) Detect launcher bus communication function
device and test fault reporting capabilities. It makes
the technical staff to carry out protection and and serial communication function;
maintenance of the launcher device conveniently. (6) Simulate all kinds of fault state of missile and

978-1-4799-7071-1/15/$31.00 ©2015 IEEE

aircraft to detect fault report ability of launcher.

1410
2015 IEEE 12th International Conference on Electronic Measurement & Instruments ICEMT'2015

Based on the analysis of principle, functions and
signals, combined with major working environment
(Mainly used for functional testing and performance
testing inside and outside the field before launch
device manufactured) of the launch device and test
equipment, fully take into account the cost of the
equipment control requirements
expansibility, we design the virtual instrument test
system based on PCI bus architecture. Main signals of
the launcher include digital quantity, analog quantity,
switch quantity and bus signal. The structure of the
system is shown in figure 2.
Missile Launcher Test System
-
::I
"d 0 �
0 §"
discrete control signals, which doesn't include bus
signals.
1553B bus module can simulate airplane fire
control system to receive and send Bus signal and
judge whether the signals transmitted through 1553B­
bus between airplane and missile launcher are accord
with the data transmission standard.
ARINC429 bus module is used to simulate missile
and ensure to communicate with airplane through launcher device,
and also receive signals from other systems, such as
INS. It can judge whether the signals transmitted
through ARINC429 bus between missile and launcher
are correct.
With the modules above, the hardware integration
not only meets the needs of the system software, and
has certain extensibility and openness for farther
development.
The system crate is water-repellent, crashworthy
"d
r:/l
and dustproof, which is suitable for harsh
0
c
environments, can be widely used in field test and
�
"0

t§:
"0
� CJ> V1 0 experiment.
.....
:l. V1
.j:>.
� ..... (p �
� w
tv
0 � 0
(p � co
\0
s·
n co co -
0
CJ> (Jq B. Software Structure Analysis
n co 0 0
� -
P" 0
3
0 �
.., � co 0"
(1)
CJ>
�
CJ> "0
� p.. p.. 0 CJ>
.....
According to the functions, software system can be
i:!J.
�
p.. � n n
V>
(1)
p.. 0
"0 � divided into different software modules. It includes
.., (1)
V>
(p system initialization, system self-test, system
calibration, default setting, system help, return and
AC,DC Power Supply
close modules. Each calls the corresponding function,
and test system executes a test item according to the
user's operation. The structure of the software system
is shown in figure 3.

s:::

� ��
-0
C/O
=-:> '-; <3
'"0
� ??
� �
�
Missile Launcher ....
<=> � CD
!f
g
.....

1
� �
'" = <il
..... ...,

J. �
=-:> <=>
Fig. 2: Block diagram ofthe system s a CD [ CD
"'"
.....
g.
"'"
g" �
;=+.

Hardware function module is made up of data

r-
acquisition module, signal generation module, three­ s::: -""
=-:>
� �"'"
�,
=
0...
=-:> 6 e: �,

til �
phase alternating current test module, digital I/O ...... So
� 0
'"
� � =-
�
f!- '" 5i
a- g
�
;.s·
=-

module, I553B-bus
=-

;.s·
module and ARINC429-bus =
...,
� 0
,..,
g-
�
� �=r g" CD
4 g- ,.., "'" CD
module[ l. S CD "'"
= "'" CD =<
"'- aq

Data acquisition module, which is used to measure

� "'"'
<:;T' ....... '" �
�
the analog input signals, can measure audio frequency <=> = t::J t::J
til
�
I I" I"
=-:> 5" 0..
..... .....
=-
s-
and other analog signals, such as alternating and direct o...
'" = g s-
g
current voltage signals, analog control signals, etc.
<=>
'"0
S
� s· � ,[ ,[
g
=-
0..

§
�
l-
�
..... 0- 0
� 0..

.g" �
=-:> en c
=-:> �

g.
�
Signal generation module provides the missile <=> = 6'
'"
"'- "'-
�.
= 0...

launcher with some stimulating signals, such as analog InstruITlcnt drivers

control signals, fire signal and power supply signals. Fig. 3: The structure diagram of the software system

Three-phase alternating current test module can

C. Software Platform Design
measure the parameter of the three-phase alternating
The system design has used the integrated
current signals. 5]
development environment of LabWindows/CVI[ . It is
Digital I/O module can receive, send and deal with
a virtual instrument development platform, which aims
part of the digital signals, such as address signals and

1411
2015 IEEE 12th International Conference on Electronic Measurement & Instruments ICEMT'2015

at computer-oriented monitoring and control field, is

32-bit based on C language and produced by National
Instrument Company. It provides a variety of smart ( Start )
interface generation, programming and debugging
tools. Therefore, through LabWindows/CVT
development platform can greatly simplity
programming workload and achieve data acquisition, System Functional System
control, display, and process integration. Especially, Self-Test Testing Calibration
with the aid of its signal processing capability in
advanced analysis library, we can analyze and process
acquired data expediently. And it also has the Cable identification
advantages of strong versatility and easy to transplant. Test mode automatic judgment
Moreover it can greatly shorten the development cycle
and save development costs.
Launcher detecting must meet the control box and
the power supply box testing requirements. For the r 'Tl
-
Ul
Ul
.j::o
N
�
;:-c

() ().... ::;:.... ..,

w
launch device, detection should be suitable for control r' C 0 �. \0
:l 1:0 1:0
box. When power supply box tested, test equipment is �:l :r (I) (I) 1:0 �
rJl
C

....
(I)
only required to simulate airplane to provide power :l'" CO �
rJl
�
(I)
CO 0 0 � 0
supply box with three-phase AC power supply and 0 ;< 0.. 0 :l
control signal, DC power signal detection power
supply box should be given.
.... .... .... .... ..,
-l
(I)
rJl
;<
-l
(I)
rJl
-l
(I)
rJl
(I)
-l
(I)
rJl
:l
�.
0 ....
�.
0
5'
5' (Jq
The launcher equipment detection includes launcher (Jq

control box and power box testing requirements, and

can be applied to the detection of the launch control
box. Power box testing requires test equipment to
apply three-phase AC power for the power box and Test Information Display
detect DC power signal of power box.
Two wires are set inside the test cable socket. When
the DUT connected to the cable outlet plug, software
can identity the current status of this test cables
through two lines and determine the function test
6
mode automatically[ ].
According to the function analysis of the software,
the basic process of the software is shown in figure 4.

III. SYSTEM KEY TECHNOLOGY

REALIZATION y

A. Automatic Fault Simulation Bus Monitoring

Data Storing Test Report
For the launcher test system, it is necessary to
detect fault report ability. Thus, the integrated test
system should simulate all kinds of fault state of
missile and airplane related to the launcher system.
Fault simulation function is developed in the system,
7 Fig. 4: The basic flowchart of software platform
using physical simulation[ ] and TCD modification to
set up fault and simulating fault state of airplane and
B. System Self-test and Calibration
missile, testing fault detection and processing capacity
of launcher. Tn order to increase the testability and reliability, we
Tn the test course, we can inject faults manually or develop a set of cable covers, which can build a
automatically according to the need of actual state closed-loop system. With the rich and high precision
simulation. The launcher test system can provide instruments and signal resources, the system can fulfill
appropriate information of missile or airplane. With self-test and calibration conveniently. The block
this function, the comprehensive working flow can be diagram is shown in figure 5.
verified and the entire function can be tested.

1412
2015 IEEE 12th International Conference on Electronic Measurement & Instruments
Missile Launcher Test System
"'d
o asynchronous timer, adopted the flexible setup time
�
(1)
o automatic test indicators.
C/l
� D. Automatic Real-time Data Storage
0"
C/l
()
o Because the conventional ways of reports
1:)
(1)
C/l
AC,DC Power Supply
I�C��'Jjl
Fig. 5 : Block diagram of self-test and calibration
Using the rich signal resource, the system can
realize self-test each module of the system
C. Multithreading Technology
Launcher testing process need a large amount of
data collection and analysis of these data include
analog signals, multi-channel digital signal, high-speed
bus signal, while guarantee the real time and reliability
of system data, the system requires a high degree of
maintainability and testability. Tn order to ensure the
real-time performance of the system, make full use of
the operating system resources, this article adopts
multi-thread technology to realize the data acquisition,
processing and transmission system, to ensure the
accuracy of work timing system, realize the launchers
each performance monitoring, fault diagnosis and
comprehensive test.
Software in the main thread used to run the user
interface, the time demand of the operation run on the
thread is higher, such as data acquisition and
8
processing, and analysis[ 1. In the user interface for
operation, the operating system will be thread switches,
provide the time needed to complete the task for other
threads. Of all the concurrent threads, the thread
responsible for data acquisition thread priority is
second only to the user interface thread. Adopt
multithreading between the key problem is the thread
of data protection, that is, the operation to prevent
multiple threads at the same time the same variable,
lead to logic errors. This system adopts the thread safe
queue, setting up multi-threading mutex object
mechanism to protect the shared data, thread
synchronization and communication, realize the
security of data transmission between threads. In
establishing a thread-safe queue at the same time set
the callback function, when there is a thread to add
data to the thread safe queue or read data, immediately
trigger event callback function, these functions in data
1413
ICEMT'2015
processing threads, so as to complete the
corresponding data processing functions.
Combined with Labwindows/CVI and
interval method, realizing the real-time parallel
processing, finally met the precise control system and
generating based on LabWindows/CVT platform with
shortcoming of being nonstandard and hard to typeset,
a new approaches of template reports generating is
presented. The technical principle is as follows:
(I) Create word template for report
First, create a new word document with file name
testdata.doc. Fill the test item in the word document
according to the experimental requirements and report
format. Secondly, according to the reporting
requirements, add bookmarks into a good template,
and mark out appropriate place at corresponding
location for test data and conclusion, record
bookmarks names. Finally, save the report template,
9 ll
store in root directory of the project[ - l.
Tn order to avoid the template be modified illegally,
the attribute is set to "read only".
(2) Report generation and program design
Put the corresponding instrument driver files and
header files into the project. Load the driver files in
ProjectTree window. WordReport and Microsoft Word
9.0 ObjectLibrary will appear in the instruments of
LibraryTree window. And then, we can choose the
function to generate reports.
IIDefine handles of word routine, document, and
cursor.
static CAObjHandle appHandle=O;
static CAObjHandle docHandle=O;
static CAObjHandle currSelHandle = 0;
IICall MicrosoftWord application and word report
template document
WordRpt_ApplicationNew (VTRUE,&appHandle);
char fileName[300];
GetProjectDir (fileName);
strcat(fiIeName, " \testdata. doc");
WordRpt_DocumentOpen(appHandle, fileName,
&doc-handle);
IILocate the cursor position to "bookmark", and fill
in the blanks with corresponding data by the automatic
measurement and control program.
For example, "dhtime" is the name of the bookmark
in word template, set in advance. Now fill the test
variable dhcount in dhtime. The code is written as
follows:
Fmt(reportstr,"%s<%d", dhcount);
WordRpt_ GoToBookmark (docHandle, "dhtime"»;
II move cursor to bookmark "dhtime"
2015 IEEE 12th International Conference on Electronic Measurement & Instruments ICEMT'2015

WordRpt_AppendText(docHandle, reportstr); // fill REFERENCES

in the corresponding test data or variable name
Finally shut Application and Document. [1] BAOGANG L, DENGWU M. Design of air-to-air missile
launcher integrated test instrument[J]. Computer
WordRpt_DocumentClose(docHandle,WRConst_S
Automated Measurement & Control, 2005, 13(10): 1096-
aveChanges);
1097.
WordRpt_ApplicationQuit(appHandle,WRConst_S [2] XIE J H, LTU J H. Structure optimization design and
aveChanges); analysis on control box of launcher[J]. Journal of
Thus the problem generated by the report Projectiles, Rockets, Missiles and Guidance Control, 2013,
specifications is solved. By using the fixed report 33(5): 75-78.

template and adding bookmarks automatically, we [3] SUN X H, MA Q, HUANG Y, et al. Design of a missile
test system based on 1553B bus[J]. Aeronautical
improve the real-time performance of the system.
Computing Technique,2011,41(4): 82-84.
Tn order to record test data scientifically, and [4] XIE H Y, XIAO M Q, WU W CH. Research on universal
facilitate monitoring and analysis, quality management test system of a missile launcher in line and
and process, bus signal must be stored real-time. Txt shop[C]IIICEMT'09. 9th International Conference on
format files are used to storage bus data in real time to Electronic Measurement & Instruments, IEEE, 2009(3):
160-163.
facilitate analysis afterwards.
[5] WANG J X, SUI M L. The LabWindows/CVI virtual
£. Data Processing and Bus Message Parsing instrument technology and its application in
engineering[M]. Chemical Industry Press,2011.
The data processing module realizes the [6] ZHANG Y, GU J H, MIAO K J, et al. The design and
pretreatment and analysis of sample signals. With the implementation of a launch control box power supply
signal processing function of advanced analysis library component automatic test system[J]. Electronic Design
Engineering,2014,22(9): 69-73.
in LabWindows/CVI, we can analysis the collected
[7] WANG L, XU P, LTU B. Design and Implementation of
data such as AC voltage, DC voltage, AC phase in
1553B BUS Fault Injection Device in BIT Experiment[J].
time-domain. Computer Measurement & Control, 2011, 19(12): 2942-
A universal message analysis function of software 2945.
12 13
is designed[ - 1. Based on the detailed description of [8] HAN H L, WANG H. Study on Test Launch Control
message definition, message storage and message System Based on Virtual Instrument Technology[J].
parsing, the software module can parse the message on Computer Measurement & Control,2011,19(3): 621-624.
1553B bus and 429 bus real-time, which is significant [9] ITA H J, DONG X L, FU Y L. Approaches of Template

for designer and tester to analysis the function of each Reports Generating Based on LabWindows/CVI[J].
Measurement & Control Technology,2008,27(8): 89-91.
unit.
[10] National Instruments Corporation, LabW indows/CVI
Help[DB/OL]. http://sine. ni. com /psP/apP/doc/P/id/psp-
IV. CONCLUSION 272,2009.
[11] YANG H H, WANG CH. Report technology based on
Launcher is an important part of a missile weapon LabW indows/CVI[J]. Science Technology and

system. It is the signal transmission link of aircraft and Engineering,2011,11(6): 1371-1374.

missile. Tn order to meet the requirement of
development and field experiment, a missile launcher
test system is designed based on virtual instrument and
PCI bus. The system composition, working principle,
and hardware structure are introduced. Some key
techniques are expatiated. The integrated test system
has been used in development and experiment of a new
missile launcher. Application proves that the system
has the advantages of easy implementation, high
reliability and good operability. It shortens the
development cycle effectively and detects design
defects early. The system played an important role in a
new missile launcher model development.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
[12] ZHAO SH, LTU ZH Q, MIAO K J. Design and realization
of universal message analysis software for 1553 bus[J].
Electronic Measurement Technology,2010,33( I): 78-81.
SONG J Y. Design of monitor system for general 1553B
bus[J]. Electronic Design Engineering, 2011(3): 90-92.
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Wang Chenggang was born in Yucheng, China, in 1976.
He received his MS, BS and PhD degrees from Shenyang
Institute of Aeronautical Engineering (Shenyang), Naval
Aeronautical and Astronautical University (Yantai), in 1998,
2004 and 2009, respectively. Now he is an Associate Professor
in Department of Basic Experiment, Yantai. His research
interests include intelligent guidance, fault diagnosis, PHM,
testability verification and valuation.

We would like to take this chance to express our

sincere gratitude to researcher Huang Hao for his
kindly assistance and valuable suggestions on the paper
and the development of the missile launcher test system.

1414