EMPLOYER: Sedona Scientific [More Info]

                    (A subsidiary of Simula Corp)

PROJECT: ATPS (Advanced Tactical Parachute System).

Project Description: The ATPS system consists of special parachute with a very high decent rate, a device for momentarily reducing decent rate (Landing Velocity Attenuator or LVA), and an electronic sensor (Logic Unit) that triggers the device. The U.S, ARMY sponsored the project. The goal of the system was to reduce landing related injuries while decreasing the time that troops were vulnerable to enemy fire during parachute drops. The system achieved this goal with a very high decent rate during the drop followed by a reduced decent rate just prior to landing. Sedona Scientific was responsible for the Logic Unit portion of the system.

My contributions to the project begin with the design and programming of the proof of concept unit and culminated in my promotion to project manager.

The sensor operated using ultrasonic waves to track the distance above ground in real time and determine the proper point to trigger the decent reduction. While simple in concept, the requirement of ignoring tall grass and bushes while identifying firm ground necessitated the development of an algorithm for processing the ultrasonic echoes to extract ground cover information.

Persional Contributions:

Conceptual Stage

• Designed, programmed and constructed the first proof of concept sensor, which was used successfully in initial field-testing.
• Supported proof of concept field tests as technical representative.

Design Stage

• Design of “Design Verification” unit capable of meeting system requirements.
• Production of documentation (Schematics).
• Software structure design and software implementation.
• Supported customer field test at Fort Benning GA. as company representative.

 

Implementation Stage

• Promoted to Program Manager.
• Design of pre-production hardware
• Authored pre-production testing procedures.
• Provided engineering and repair support as needed during completion of the pre-production prototypes.
• Presented progress information to the customer during design review meetings.

Note: The ATPS project terminated at this point due to customer decisions unrelated to the Logic Unit.