OUR PROJECTS
Close Air Solutions C-EAGR
Following on from the success for the IZLID project, CAS approached Cubik Innovation to assist them with the design and development of their latest piece of simulation equipment, the CAS – Emulated Advanced GPS Receiver (C-EAGR). Like the IZLID, the product needed to be designed to look and feel like the real-world device and needed to be fully integrated into the JTAC/JFO type simulators that CAS use.
The C-EAGR has all the functions that are currently used by JTACs for positional information manipulation including:
- Continuous update of position on the present position screen
- Ability to place in standby mode to manipulate positional data from the present position screen
- Quick conversion between coordinate formats – MGRS, Lat Long (degrees minutes), Lat Long (degrees minutes’ seconds), Lat Long (degrees minutes’ decimal minutes)
- Quick conversion between elevation units – ft and m
- Magnetic variation application from the world magnetic model
- Ability to manually enter waypoints and store in the waypoint list including editing names
- Ability to compute range and bearing between waypoints in the list and to change angular units (mils degree)
- Fast Fix / Back / and Mark quick access from any page
- Pos Page access from any page
- Accurate representation of start-up, satellite search, and all waning messages associated with changing positional information.
CEAGR Unit and Sample Display Screens
Cubik used many of our in-house skills to put together a design which was realistic of the real-world product yet could integrate into the CAS simulator environment.
The design is entirely custom for CAS. The enclosure closely replicates the original device and is manufactured using Vacuum casting, a technique which allows very low volume production of plastic enclosures without the costly injection mould tooling process.
The electronic system combines a high-quality TFT screen with a membrane keypad to provide the user interface. Data to and from the simulator is provided by way of a USB connection which is also used to supply power for the C-EAGR.
A Microchip PIC provides USB interface at the C-EAGR and provides all handshaking to and from the PC. The C-EAGR mounts as a HID – Human Interface Device so that no special driver layer is required on the PC.
“Close Air Solutions are pleased to have been able to work with Cubik on this project, and have especially appreciated Cubik’s ability and commitment to achieving a tight deadline on a complex project.”
Jonathan Owen BEng EngD, Close Air Solutions Senior Software Engineer.
