A Programmable Display Test Unit

The present approach to testing and aligning complex avionic information display systems such as those in the F-14A, E-2C, and S-3A aircraft has been highly specialized, and military experience with this approach reveals that it is complicated, time-consuming, and often seriously compromises test effectiveness. Attempts to use general-purpose automatic test equipment (ATE) for display testing also have not been entirely successful because of the need for highly complex, externally situated equipment and adapters. Based on this premise, PRD Electronics has undertaken the development of a unique display test unit which under program control meets the test needs of many display systems, such as those in the A-7E and F-18 aircraft, without proliferation of hardware and without the need for "reengineering" the unit for each new application. Program control provides Electronic Industries Association (EIA) standard video formats as well as various test patterns for performance evaluation. This paper addresses the overall system considerations as well as some of the unique techniques employed.