Pentek’s TalonRecorders’ SystemFlowSoftware touts new features and enhancements

Pentek, Inc., introduced new features and enhancements to its Talon® SystemFlow® software that improve the ease of use and recording capabilities of the entire line of Talon Recording Systems.The optimized enhancements to SystemFlow benefit radar, SIGINT and communications recording applications where reliability, speed and data integrity are mission-critical.

SystemFlow is the software interface that is integrated into every Talon recorder. The software includes the graphical user interface (GUI) that is used to control the recorder with point-and-click configuration management, a client/server communication interface, NTFS file system support and an application programming interface (API) for custom user applications and control. Signal analysis tools include a virtual oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, and spectrogram to monitor signals before, during, and after data collection. A summary of the new enhancements to the SystemFlow software is provided below.

“Every one of our customers has a unique recording need,” stated Chris Tojeira, director and chief architect of the Talon Recording Systems. “We’ve listened carefully to customer feedback and have added features and enhancements that expand the recording and display capabilities of our high-performance Talon recorders, all while making the systems easier-to-use.”

Ease-of-Use Features and Capability Improvements
• Auto File Naming:An auto-file-naming facility allows files to beautomatically named intuitively using date, time-of-day and channel information.
• One-Click Profiles: Unique recording system configurations can be saved, and then later retrieved with a single click, minimizing mistakes made by field operators.
• Segmented Recording: A segmented recording option allows large recording sessions to be recorded as smaller, manageable files. Operators select the desired segment size.
• Data Extraction Utility:The SystemFlow File Viewer provides a signal analysis tool for analyzing recordings. A built-in data extraction utility allows users to quickly and easily scan through a recording to find signals of interest and extract them to smaller, more manageable files. Time stamping is preserved during the data extraction process.

Targeted Recording Modes
• Looped Recording: Looped recording runs indefinitely, overwriting the oldest data while operators wait for an interesting event to be captured. Loop buffer size is user selectable to support hours, days or even weeks of continuous recording storage.
• Pulsed Radar Recording: Data is recorded only when the recording gate signal is true. A metadata packet with information about the corresponding pulse, including the pulse number, time stamp, and pulse width, can be used to reconstruct the pulse train and preserve the exact timing it was recorded. This is useful for radar systems, where the user only wants to capture the signal during the range gate.

GPS functions for Target Triangulation and Time Stamping
• Auto-Initiated Recording:Using a 10 MHz reference and 1PPS pulse from local GPS receivers allow multiple systemsto automatically start recording synchronously.
• GPS Position Tracking:Periodically logs latitude, longitude and altitude during signal recordings on flight missions.

Enhanced Display Feature
• SystemFlow Signal Viewer: The viewer now includes a scrolling spectrogram display to quickly view the entire spectrum under surveillance over time.

Data Security Measures
• AES 256-bit Encryption: Optional AES 256-bit encryption provides data security for sensitive information.
• Instant Secure Erase: Optional Instant Secure Erase offers an extremely quick means to sanitize disks.

Talon Recorder Family:
Pentek's Talon Recording Systems are high-speed recording and playback systems capable of streaming data to disk in real time. Storage capacity options allow contiguous recording for hours and even days. A variety of front ends allow users to record analog or digital signals. They are available in portable, rackmount and small form factor configurations, allowing operation in a variety of environments.

RTV Value Systems : These economically priced entry level systems for benign environments are available with optional GPS time and position stamping and IRIG-B time stamping.

RTS Laboratory Systems : Intended for benign environments, they offer great flexibility in channel count. They are capable of hundreds of terabytes of data storage on HDDs (hard disk drives). These recorders come in a rack mountable PC server chassis.

RTR Rugged Systems : The rugged series come in a portable (briefcase style) or rack mountable PC server chassis. Both use SSDs (solid state drives) to handle operational shock and vibration. Enhanced cooling capabilities support higher-temperature environments (up to 55°C.) The RTR series recorders provide maximum streaming data rates.

RTX Extreme Systems : The extreme rugged series are flight certified, capable of handling high levels of shock and vibration as well as high altitude use. The RTX series chassis use Pentek's QuickPac® drive hot-swap packaging technology for quick removal and replacement of data storage SSDs, especially useful during flight missions where aircraft time is critical.