Published in Microwaves & RF
The TmNS is an emerging technology for the major flight-test ranges in the U.S. By allowing for bidirectional data and control, this upgraded ground infrastructure is a significant step forward for the flight-test community.
What You’ll Learn:
An overview of the TmNS system with core benefits and comparison to 5G. Bidirectional communications is a fundamental enhancement brought by TmNS. While 5G is viable for flight-test telemetry, TmNS may have the edge.
Flight-test instrumentation has changed dramatically over the last decade. Data acquisition units (DAUs) transitioned from using protocols like pulse-code modulation (PCM) to Ethernet, which facilitates higher traffic, increased compatibility, and access to many useful features available in the commercial space (Fig. 1). The increased data and desire to gain more control over onboard systems from the ground has led to significant recent interest in using a bidirectional, Ethernet-like telemetry protocol. The industry is investigating commercial protocols, such as 5G, for such a role.
Another standard explicitly developed for telemetry, the Telemetry Network Standard (TmNS), was recently released in IRIG 106-19.1 TmNS is a new tool for the flight-test telemetry industry. This article presents an overview of TmNS, its core benefits, and a comparison to 5G.
The Telemetry Network Standard (TmNS)
TmNS aims to move telemetry into the network age, representing a paradigm shift from unidirectional PCM architectures. It hopes to increase test efficiency, utilize the available RF spectrum more efficiently, and improve the interoperability and sustainability of airborne and ground systems. The standard identifies interfaces for configuration, management, network transport protocols, telemetry link, and various other system and component capabilities.