Close Air Solutions (CAS) creates simulation equipment and software for defence and security training. Following our IZLID collaboration, CAS asked Cubik to help develop the CAS Emulated Advanced GPS Receiver (C-EAGR), a custom replica for its JTAC and JFO simulation environments.

THE CHALLENGE

The C-EAGR needed to look and feel like the real-world receiver while reproducing its positional-information functions. These included position updates, standby operation, waypoint entry and editing, coordinate andelevation conversions, and range and bearing calculations.

The training experience also called for realistic start-up, satellite-search and warning messages, alongside integration with the CAS simulator.

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THE SOLUTION

We brought together our in-house electronic and mechanical design skills to create a device entirely customised for CAS. The enclosure closely replicated the reference receiver and was vacuum cast, making low-volume production possible without the expense of injection-mould tooling.

A high-quality TFT screen and membrane keypad providedthe user interface. A USB connection carried data to and from the simulator and also supplied power, keeping connection requirements straightforward.

A Microchip PIC managed USB communication and handshaking with the PC. The receiver appeared as a Human Interface Device (HID), so no dedicated PC driver layer was required. It's functions included coordinate-format conversion, magnetic variation and quick access to keyposition screens.

THE IMPACT

The resulting C-EAGR combined familiar receiver controls and display behaviour with a direct connection to the CAS simulation environment. Vacuum casting supported the low-volume enclosure requirement,while USB HID simplified connection to the host PC.

The collaboration delivered a complex custom development to a tight deadline, extending the partnership established through the IZLID project.

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