Technologies!!! A generation Ahead: Avionics

Abstract

Avionics literally means aviation electronics. In essence it comprises all electronic systems designed for use on an aircraft. At a basic level this comprises communications, navigation and the display and management of multiple systems. It also comprises the literally hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles. Avionics is the combination of Aviation and electronics. Any system in the aircraft which is dependent on electronics for its operation is termed as the avionic sub-system.Mitigation/elimination of radiation and electromagnetic effects onavionics.Slowing semiconductor wear out in devices more progressive form of flight planning. Greater integration of in-flight data with ground systems .Projects worked on by: Boeing, Honeywell, Smith's Aerospace, and Goodrich Aerospace as well as others.

What is Avionics?

Avionics literally means aviation electronics. Now aviation mean science of flying an aircraft. In essence it comprises all electronic systems designed for use on an aircraft. At a basic level this comprises communications, navigation and the display and management of multiple systems. It also comprises the literally hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles..
What is Avionic sub-system?

Avionics is the combination of Aviation and electronics. Any system in the aircraft which is dependent on electronics for its operation is termed as the avionic sub-system.
Avionics for pilot:

All coordinated information is available from a single source.
Avionics for software engineer:

Avionics software development is heavily constrained by a simple, yet inflexible
goal:

To prevent the loss of human lives. This mantra rightfully adds suspicion to anything that may compromise the safety and security of aircraft personnel and passengers.
Different Avionic Sub-systems
- Air data systems
- Flight control system
- Display systems
- Engine control systems
Air Data System

Provide accurate information in quantities such as
- Pressure Altitude
- Vertical Speed
- Mach Number
- Static Air Temperature
  
  Digital Air Data Computer

Air Data Module

Flight Control System

Provides control signals for the aircraft state and motion.
- This subsystem mainly provides auto-stabilization
  
  for all the three axes of the aircraft.
- An aircraft is said to be stable if it tends to return to
  
  its original position after being subjected to a
  
  disturbance without any control actions by the pilot
  
  Digital Flight Control Computer

Flight Control System (FCS)

Displays' System

The Display systems provide a visual presentation of the information and data from the aircraft sensors and systems to the pilot to enable the pilot to fly the aircraft safely and carry out the mission.

The display information provided are:

Primary flight information
Navigation information
Engine data
Airframe data
Warning information

Head Up Display(HUD)

Multi Function Display

Engine Control System

The main function of this subsystem is to provide the forward

moment for the aircraft i.e., to provide the thrust force.

Other Avionics Sub-Systems
- Navigation
- Communications
- Electronic Warfare
- Displays
Navigation
- Radar
- Weather/terrain monitoring
- Air traffic tracking
- GPS
- Inertial reference systems
- i.e. Honeywell Primus Epic INAV and Northrop Grumman LTN-101E GNADIRU

Communication
- Radio receivers/transceivers
- Voice-to-data
- Digital messaging
- Satellite communications

Electronic Welfare System
- IFF (Identification of Friend or Foe)
- Jamming and countermeasures
- Weapons management
- Target sighting/tracking
- Defense
Flight Control Systems
- Autopilot - Controls Altitude, Attitude and Heading
  
  Measurements of position, angular velocities, and linear accelerations in all degrees of freedom
- I.e. Honeywell Primus 1000, Primus 2000, and KFC 225
Display Systems
- HUD (Heads Up Display)
- HDD (Head Down Display)
- HMD (Head Mounted Display)
- All instrumentation
And gauges

AMMC (Avionics Mission Management Computer)
- Typical AMMC functions include navigation, sensor control, weapons targeting and release, controls and displays management, and fault isolation test.
- Other specialized avionics computers (e.g., those that handle radar signal processing, dynamic air data, inertial navigation, threat warning, weapons and stores management, flight control, and display processing) are mentioned only to provide a context for the mission control computer functions
Inputs are processed from the ADC(Air Data computer), INS(Inertial Navigation System), and RALT (Radar Altimeter)to determine the best available estimates
Inputs
ADC.Angle_of_Attack
ADC.Mach_Number
ADC.Barometric_Altitude
ADC.Magnetic_Heading
ADC.True_Airspeed
Outputs
INS.Reference_Velocity (north, east, vertical)
NAV.Airspeed
NAV.Rate_of_Change_Airspeed
NAV.Position (latitude, longitude, altitude)
NAV.Angle_of_Attack
NAV.Attitude (roll, pitch, yaw)
NAV.Body_Rates (roll, pitch, yaw)
NAV.Flight_Path_Angle
NAV.Ground_Speed
Combat aircraft employ a federated, distributed computer network with many specialized processors to perform avionics functions. These processors are controlled by the AMMC and are interconnected by one or more serial data buses.
The AMMC is typically a single processor in existing systems.
The data bus used is designed to have a unique bus controller which determines tenancy on the bus; the typically is the bus controller.

CIDS (Cabin Intercommunication Data System)

Software and Tools used in Avionics

Software for safety critical systems in avionics is commonly developed using Lucol, C and Ada languages

Testing and configuration tools commonly used are as follows:

Unit Testing Tools: