TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATOR OF 7-CHANNEL DIGITAL FLIGHT DATA RECORDER AS AVIONICS TEACHING AID USING STATIC MODEL AIRCRAFT

Authors

1. Wg Cdr Nikhil Verma, IAF Instructor Class-A Dept. of Aeronautical Engineering Military institute of Science and Technology

2. Md. Easir Arafat Papon Dept. of Aeronautical Engineering Military Institute of Science and Technology

7th International Technology, Education and Development ConferenceMarch 4th-6th , 2013

Valencia, Spain

To demonstrate technology and feasibility of designing digital FDR as a class-room teaching & training aid.

To study the synchronized operation of aircraft control surfaces and analysis of FDR.

Hands on practical knowledge on application of transducers, sensors, digital electronics and microprocessors in present generation avionics.

Objectives

1. An electronic system employed to record aircraft parameters from various sensors in all stages of flight.

2. Generation of FDR is defined based on

a. Data Storing

b. Data recovery

Flight Data Recorder

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fdr_sidefront.jpg

Block Diagram of FDRDigital Signal is interpreted by FDR system

Raw digital data is converted for graphical analysis based on respective data conversion and operating limits

Analog Signal from sensors, for example Air Data sensor, is converted to digital

Data is simultaneously stored in memory.FDR output in a text file

Sensors Data Acquisition Unit

Data recorder Data Conversion & Transfer Data Listing

DisplayFigure : FDR MODEL

FDR output in terms of graphical format

Steps in Design

Analog to Digital Conversion

Display

Data Storage

Digital to Graphic Conversion

Sampling

Analog Input

Sensors, Control Surfaces

Theoritical Subjects Correlated

Aircraft Instrumrntation

Communication Engg

Avionics Engg, Basic Electronics,Digital Electronics, Microprocessors & Programming

MAT LAB Application

Computer Interfacing

Design steps require basic understanding and application of all major academic subjects involved in an undergraduate course of Avionics Engg.

Model aircraft control surfaces are interfaced with motors connected to the microcontroller circuit.Analog inputs generated by surface movements is sampled and after ADC is stored for graphical display

Flow Chart of FDR ModelPower Supply

Voltage Regulator

Central Processing Unit

Engine-S

Engine-P

Hands on Control Panel

Engine-S Up/Down

Engine-P Up/Down

Aileron Up/Down

Elevator Up/Down

Rudder Up/Down

L.G. Up/Down

Data Transfer

12V

5V

Memory unit

Aileron angle Elevator angle

Engine-T RPM

Landing Gear angle

Engine-S RPM

Rudder angle

Temperature data

Temperature Sensor

Aileron

Rudder

Landing Gear

Elevator

MATLAB Software

Computer

Graphical Display

Central Processing Unit is the heart of designed FDR. 12V power supply is regulated down to 5V to operate the processing unit.

Sensors like control surfaces, engine RPM, temperature sensor are connected to the processing unit. All sensors except temperature sensor are visible whereas temperature sensor is fitted inside the main circuit.

All the sensors are connected through wire with a hand held control box and control of individual sensor is done from here. A pair of switch is used for each sensor to operate.

All respective data is simultaneously stored in the memory device from the central processing unit. The data is stored as binary which is further converted into decimal value.

Graphical Display This is the FDR output of a simple flight profile where aircraft takes off and then landed after a few moments.

As aircraft is taking off so Engine RPM is Maximum , Landing Gear is being Folded and Elevator goes Up.

As in this profile there is no Roll or Yaw movement, so both Aileron and Rudder is unmoved, they have no deflection.

After a while aircraft lands, so Elevator goes Down, Landing Gear is Down also Engine RPM keeps decreasing.

Advantages

1. Low cost and developed with available technology.2. Hands on experience within classroom for variety of flight

profiles that student can develop at own pace.3. Analysis and interpretation of control surfaces, electric

sensors, application of microcontroller & digital circuits is very well demonstrated.

4. Graphical or simulated animation do not provide the feel of operation of system which is achieved as control is with instructor/students.

1. Technology demonstrator for further development in real life application.

Radio Controlled Model Aircraft. Static Real Design Aircraft.

2. Understanding flight profiles and analyzing FDR operation, design and output.

3. To develop concepts of all major subjects in Avionics Engineering.

4. Concepts of flight control laws is yet to be incorporated in the model FDR system. However, basic understanding and comprehension of control surfaces and relation with FDR output is achieved with this low cost model teaching aid.

Conclusion

Photo Attachments

Thank you