Editing MIM-104 Patriot (section)

====AN/MSQ-104 and -132 Engagement Control Station====
[[File:JASDF MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3 Engagement Control Station(Mitsubishi Fuso Super Great) at Nara Base 20150606-01.JPG|thumb|An AN/MSQ-132 ECS vehicle of a Japanese Patriot unit]]
[[File:Communicatiesysteem-van-de-patriot.jpg|thumb|Operator stations (pre-PDB 7)]]
The AN/MSQ-104 or AN/MSQ-132 Engagement Control Station (ECS) is the nerve center of the Patriot firing battery, costing approximately {{US$|6}}{{nbsp}}million per unit.<ref>{{cite web |title=Harpoon database encyclopedia |url=http://www.harpoondatabases.com/encyclopedia/entry1493.aspx |access-date=October 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730051438/http://www.harpoondatabases.com/encyclopedia/entry1493.aspx |archive-date=July 30, 2014 }} (a database for the computer game [[Harpoon (series)|Harpoon]])</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=September 2014}} The ECS consists of a shelter mounted on the bed of an [[M939 Truck#Models|M927 5-Ton Cargo Truck]] or on the bed of a [[Light Medium Tactical Vehicle]] (LMTV) cargo truck. The main subcomponents of the ECS are the Weapons Control Computer (WCC), the Data Link Terminal (DLT), the [[Ultra high frequency|UHF]] communications array, the Routing Logic Radio Interface Unit (RLRIU), and the two-person stations that serve as the system's human machine interface. The ECS is air conditioned, pressurized (to resist chemical/biological attack), and shielded against [[electromagnetic pulse]] (EMP) or other such electromagnetic interference. The ECS also contains several [[SINCGARS]] radios to facilitate voice communications.

The WCC is the main computer within the Patriot system. This computer controls the operator interface, calculates missile intercept algorithms, and provides limited fault diagnostics. It was designed as a 24-bit parallel militarized computer with fixed- and floating-point capability, organized in a multiprocessor configuration that operates at a maximum clock rate of {{frequency|6|MHz}}. Compared to modern personal computers, this represents very limited processing power, so the computer has been upgraded several times during Patriot's service life. The latest variant fielded in 2013 has performance improved by several orders of magnitude.

The DLT connects the ECS to Patriot's Launching Stations. It uses either a [[SINCGARS]] radio or fiber optic cables to transmit encrypted data between the ECS and the launchers. Through the DLT, the system operators can remotely emplace, slew or stow launchers, perform diagnostics on launchers or missiles, and fire missiles.

The UHF communications array consists of three UHF radio "stacks" and their associated patching and encrypting equipment. These radios are connected to the antennas of the OE-349 Antenna Mast Group, which are used to create UHF "shots" between sister Patriot batteries and their associated ICC. This creates a secure, real-time data network (known as PADIL, Patriot Data Information Link) that allows the ICC to centralize control of its subordinate firing batteries.

The RLRIU functions as the primary [[Router (computing)|router]] for all data coming into the ECS. The RLRIU gives a firing battery an address on the battalion data network, and sends/receives data from across the battalion. It also "translates" data coming from the WCC to the DLT, facilitating communication with the launchers.

Patriot's crew stations are referred to as Manstation 1 and 3 (MS1 and MS3). These are the stations where Patriot operators interface with the system. The manstations consist of a monochrome (green and black) screen surrounded by various Switch Indicators. Each manstation also has a traditional [[QWERTY]] keyboard and isometric stick, a tiny [[joystick]] that functions much like a [[Personal computer|PC]] [[Mouse (computing)|mouse]]. It is through these switch indicators and the Patriot user interface software that the system is operated. With newer upgrades, the operator's monochrome screen and physical switches have been replaced with two {{convert|30|in|abbr=on}} touchscreen LCDs and a standard keyboard/mouse at both stations.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}