Field-Deployable Telemetry Data Processing

Overview

Telemetry, the science of measuring and transmitting data from remote or inaccessible points, is the foundation of aerospace, defense, and test & evaluation (T&E). It provides engineers and operators with real-time insight into flight performance, system health, and mission-critical parameters. Whether it is tracking missile performance, monitoring aircraft during flight tests, or supporting range safety, telemetry enables faster, data-driven decision-making.

Traditionally, telemetry data has been captured and processed inside fixed control rooms or range facilities, where rackmount servers and large-scale infrastructure provide the necessary horsepower. These systems ingest multiple high-bandwidth data streams, decommutate them into engineering units, and make the results available for analysis, visualization, and safety decisions. While powerful, their size and infrastructure requirements make them impractical for missions that demand mobility. Today's missions often extend beyond fixed facilities. Flight tests and range environments increasingly require engineers to capture, process, and analyze data at the edge, wherever the mission happens. This shift calls for solutions that are not only powerful but also rugged, portable, and capable of delivering the same low-latency performance found in control centers.

To meet these evolving needs, a leading telemetry systems provider turned to Acme Portable's rugged hardware platform. By combining Acme's portable chassis with their proprietary telemetry cardsets and software, they developed a real-time telemetry data server and analyzer that delivers the low-latency decommutation, engineering unit (EU) conversion, and mission data recording traditionally found in range control centers, but in a lightweight system designed for rapid deployment in demanding environments.

The Challenge

Telemetry teams face several hurdles when moving outside of traditional labs or control centers:

Real-time throughput: Ingest and process multiple PCM streams simultaneously with low latency.
Modern receiver standards: Support ARTM Tier 0/I/II receivers and multi-band RF & IF demodulation.
On-site analysis: Provide immediate visualization and analysis with integrated displays.
Mobility: Deploy reliably in rugged environments while remaining light enough for single-person transport.

Conventional telemetry infrastructure was not designed for this level of mobility. A new approach was required.

The Solution

Acme Portable supplied the rugged portable hardware platform that served as the foundation for this solution. Built to withstand field conditions while maintaining datacenter-class performance, the chassis gave the telemetry provider exactly what they needed: portability, expansion flexibility, and reliable operation in demanding environments.

The platform was designed for single-person transport, weighing under 22 lbs. with industrial carry handles and a compact footprint. Its lightweight, corrosion-resistant chassis is shock- and vibration-qualified, ensuring sensitive electronics remain protected during transit and deployment. Enhanced thermal management keeps the system stable under heavy workloads, even in challenging field conditions. Inside, the system integrates high-performance processing and visualization features. Powered by an Intel® Core™ i7 quad-core CPU with 16 GB of memory, it supports low-latency decom and EU processing. A built-in 17.3″ full-HD display allows engineers to analyze telemetry data directly in the field, with the option to connect multiple external monitors for expanded workflows.

The platform supports advanced multi-stream telemetry processing, ingesting and decoding up to four PCM streams in real time. Its low-latency, card-embedded architecture ensures deterministic decommutation and EU processing, while ARTM Tier 0/I/II multi-band RF/IF receiver modules provide industry-standard demodulation. SHARC®-based processors handle EU conversions at rates up to 6 MS/s, and world-class bit synchronizers capture data reliably across 8 bps to 40 Mbps, even in noisy RF environments. For mission flexibility, the platform also provides robust recording, simulation, and compliance tools. Both raw and processed mission data are captured in CH 10-compliant formats for interoperability and secure archiving. Integrated PCM simulators and encoders support dynamic testing up to 64 Mbps, enabling operators to validate configurations and workflows before and during live events.

Finally, the system is built for scalability and modularity. Multiple PCI slots allow integration of additional telemetry cardsets as mission needs evolve. Each decommutation module adds new data services, making the system adaptable for everything from quick-look testing to full range safety operations. Storage configurations up to 12 TB support continuous recording and replay of high-volume telemetry data, ensuring no critical information is lost.

By leveraging Acme Portable's rugged platform hardware, the telemetry provider delivered a complete solution that combines mobility, reliability, and processing power. The result is a portable system that brings the full capability of a telemetry control center directly to the edge.

Solution Highlights

Portable and rugged: Designed to withstand shock and vibration, compact enough for single-person transport.
Integrated field display: Built-in 17.3″ full-HD screen with support for multiple external monitors.
Real-time performance: Processes up to four PCM streams simultaneously with low-latency, card-embedded architecture.
Advanced signal support: ARTM Tier 0/I/II multi-band RF/IF receiver modules, SHARC®-based EU processing, and world-class bit synchronization.
Scalable design: Modular expansion, multiple PCI slots, and up to 12 TB storage for evolving mission requirements.

See It in Action

Interested in learning more about how rugged portable platforms are shaping the future of real-time telemetry processing?

Visit the International Telemetry Conference (ITC) in Las Vegas, October 20–23, 2025, to see these solutions in action and connect with industry experts driving innovation in telemetry.

Cage Code: 4AA27

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