TECHNICAL DIVISIONS
Engineering – Division 7
The Engineering Division, working in partnership with all the other MIT Lincoln Laboratory divisions, designs and builds advanced technology systems of national importance. Projects include space and aircraft payloads and ground-based systems. The division's expertise includes mechanical, fabrication, aero, thermal, optical, and control systems engineering. The division's groups work in cross-divisional teams supporting a wide range of projects. Special emphasis is placed on the integration of design and analysis capabilities to support the rapid prototyping of hardware systems.
| Groups |
Group 71—Mechanical Engineering
The Mechanical Engineering Group focuses on developing innovative designs for mechanical systems. The group has expertise in static, dynamic, and thermo-elastic analyses; tribology; and mechanical design for systems ranging from large antenna structures to mechanisms and optical systems. The group is the Engineering Division's center for 3D computer-aided design. It also provides electronics packaging and cable design for airborne and space systems. Example projects include airborne and space-based laser communications systems, biological agent detectors and identifiers, and large radar antenna systems.
Group 72—Fabrication Engineering
The Fabrication Engineering Group provides fabrication engineering and materials management for both mechanical and electronic projects using state-of-the-art technology. The group is involved from the initial design through manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test, and works with program teams to influence schedule and budget. The group continually investigates innovative fabrication technologies to assess their utility for Laboratory efforts. Facilities include a machine shop with a wide range of computer-aided machine tools, plus sheet metal, polymer facility, and mechanical inspection. In the electronics area, capabilities include circuit-board design, assembly, inspection, and failure analysis. The group also supports the Laboratory's environmental test requirements with vibration shakers, thermal chambers, vacuum chambers, and clean rooms.
Group 74—Engineering Analysis and Testing
The Engineering Analysis and Testing Group performs thermal, structural, optical, aerodynamic, and integrated analysis for surface, airborne, and spaceborne communication systems and sensors. The analysis is performed at all phases of development, from conceptual design to final design verification to in-the-field diagnostic evaluations. Analysis in the early phases will provide insight into the relationship between design choices and mission performance. This analysis includes evaluating performance implications of various mechanical design configurations, thermal management strategies, pointing stabilization options, and aerodynamic influences. In the later phases, analysis is critical to verify that the systems will meet their specification and be suitable for integration into the carrying platform. Testing of components and full systems is used to verify models and to directly support hardware development. The group performs thermal, structural, and aerodynamic testing by using a variety of apparatus and instruments.
Group 75—Optical Systems Engineering
The Optical Systems Engineering Group leads payload development for a variety of spaceborne, airborne, and terrestrial optical systems. Expertise includes systems engineering, optical prescription development, stray light determination, optomechanical design, and payload integration, test, and verification. Emphasis is placed on system-level program development including trade studies, requirements flow-down, design, integration, verification, and on-orbit or field testing of completed payloads.
Group 76—Control Systems Engineering
The Control Systems Engineering Group has expertise in pointing and stabilization for radars and optical systems, embedded servo control systems, space-qualified electronics, autonomous systems, robotics, airborne stabilization systems, mechanism control, and power electronics. Example projects include controller, power, and telemetry electronics hardware and software for Laboratory space payloads; stabilization and pointing control systems for airborne laser radars and imaging sensors; and autonomous ground vehicle development. The group is involved in the complete project life cycle, from requirements definition, systems analysis, design and construction, to test and evaluation.
Group 77—Rapid Prototyping
The Rapid Prototyping Group focuses on partnering with groups across the Laboratory to execute rapid prototyping efforts. The group works on diverse programs, delivering new advanced technology capabilities in timelines typically under a year. This newly formed group will lead and coordinate various activities: mechanical system design and fabrication, electronics system design and fabrication, system engineering, integration into aircraft and other platforms, and laboratory and field testing. Projects are conducted in a team environment, utilizing resources from both the Engineering Division and mission area groups to successfully execute fast-paced development and demonstration efforts.
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