The ATS-EMB-CDR (Compact Data Recorder) is a portable and compact, self-contained data transfer/storage unit. It is designed to store and retrieve data from industry standard PCMCIA/ATA FLASH memory cards. This is carried out via user selectabe RS232/RS422/MIL STD-1553B RT only interfaces.

The unit's front panel houses the PCMCIA/ATA card access door. This door is opened by depressing the door latch. This action releases the locking mechanism and the door is opened. An optical sensor is tripped when the door is opened and the CDR system software performs an orderly power shutdown of the memory card. This is an important feature which prevents data loss due to operator actions during data write operations.

A PCMCIA/ATA FLASH card provides a removable medium for transferring data between the CDR and ground based computers. The compact data recorder is designed using 16-bit embedded microcontroller based on Intel x86 architecture.