An upgrade in technology has changed the way audio feedback is given to fighter pilots when using short range infrared guided air-to-air missiles. Audio feedback from the missile tracking system is one tool used by pilots to assess the probability of success before launching a missile. After launch the missile is completely autonomous. / For many decades previous missiles with analogue signal processing used an enhanced by-product of their signal processing to produce an audio tone for the pilot. The volume and quality of this tone provided insight on the strength and quality of the target signal as processed by the missile. New missiles use imaging systems with digital signal processing and there is no similar audio frequency signal produced. However there is a great deal more information available and a much more capable processing system. This allows the missile designer the opportunity to present the pilot with an enormous amount of information, or none at all. / During the course of this research project missile experts have been consulted to ascertain what information could be encoded in the missile tone. Fighter pilots have been interviewed and surveyed to determine what information they desire to have presented and how it should be presented. The staff of the RAAF F/A-18 simulator facility have been consulted and they have provided advice on the F/A-18 audio environment. Finally several data mappings and tone schemes have been prepared and tested to assess the efficiency of data flow from the missile to the pilot via the audio interface. A brief investigation into the potential for confusion and masking has also been carried out. / As a result of this work, two cost effective tone schemes and one more expensive scheme have been produced and tested. Acceptable performance has been proven in a laboratory setting. The two cost effective schemes have been ranked in order of preference by a group of fighter pilots and are ready for implementation. The third scheme has been kept as a reference for possible longer-term upgrades. / Thesis (MEng(ElectronicsEngineering))--University of South Australia, 2005.

An upgrade in technology has changed the way audio feedback is given to fighter pilots when using short range infrared guided air-to-air missiles. Audio feedback from the missile tracking system is one tool used by pilots to assess the probability of success before launching a missile. After launch the missile is completely autonomous. / For many decades previous missiles with analogue signal processing used an enhanced by-product of their signal processing to produce an audio tone for the pilot. The volume and quality of this tone provided insight on the strength and quality of the target signal as processed by the missile. New missiles use imaging systems with digital signal processing and there is no similar audio frequency signal produced. However there is a great deal more information available and a much more capable processing system. This allows the missile designer the opportunity to present the pilot with an enormous amount of information, or none at all. / During the course of this research project missile experts have been consulted to ascertain what information could be encoded in the missile tone. Fighter pilots have been interviewed and surveyed to determine what information they desire to have presented and how it should be presented. The staff of the RAAF F/A-18 simulator facility have been consulted and they have provided advice on the F/A-18 audio environment. Finally several data mappings and tone schemes have been prepared and tested to assess the efficiency of data flow from the missile to the pilot via the audio interface. A brief investigation into the potential for confusion and masking has also been carried out. / As a result of this work, two cost effective tone schemes and one more expensive scheme have been produced and tested. Acceptable performance has been proven in a laboratory setting. The two cost effective schemes have been ranked in order of preference by a group of fighter pilots and are ready for implementation. The third scheme has been kept as a reference for possible longer-term upgrades. / Thesis (MEng(ElectronicsEngineering))--University of South Australia, 2005.