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Computer Systems
A next-generation Boeing 737 aircraft with seating for up to 190 passengers and an operational range of up to 3,000
nautical miles (5,500 km). Like all of todays aircraft, the Boeing 737-800, makes extensive use of digital electronic and
computer systems
Mike Tooley
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
ix
xiii
Chapter 1
1.1
1.2
1.3
Introduction
Flight instruments
Cockpit layouts
Multiple-choice questions
1
1
11
13
Chapter 2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
Number systems
Decimal (denary) numbers
Binary numbers
Octal numbers
Hexadecimal numbers
American Standard Code for Information Interchange
Multiple-choice questions
16
16
17
19
21
23
28
Chapter 3
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
Data conversion
Analogue and digital signals
Digital to analogue conversion
Analogue to digital conversion
Multiple-choice questions
30
30
31
34
38
Chapter 4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
Data buses
Introducing bus systems
ARINC 429
Other bus standards
Multiple-choice questions
40
41
44
49
51
Chapter 5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
Logic circuits
Introducing logic
Logic circuits
Boolean algebra
Combinational logic
53
53
54
55
56
vi
CONTENTS
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
Tri-state logic
Monostables
Bistables
Logic families
Multiple-choice questions
60
60
62
65
69
Chapter 6
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
Computers
Computer systems
Data representation
Data storage
Programs and software
Backplane bus systems
Some examples of aircraft computer systems
Multiple-choice questions
70
70
71
72
78
81
82
84
Chapter 7
7.1
7.2
7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
The CPU
Internal architecture
Microprocessor operation
Intel x86 family
The Intel Pentium family
AMD 29050
Multiple-choice questions
87
87
92
94
99
100
102
Chapter 8
8.1
8.2
8.3
8.4
Integrated circuits
Scale of integration
Fabrication technology
Packaging and pin numbering
Multiple-choice questions
105
106
106
107
109
Chapter 9
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
MSI logic
Fan-in and fan-out
Coding systems
Decoders
Encoders
Multiplexers
Multiple-choice questions
112
112
113
115
117
119
121
Chapter 10
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
Fibre optics
Advantages and disadvantages
Propagation in optical fibres
Dispersion and bandwidth
Practical optical networks
Optical network components
Multiple-choice questions
123
123
123
126
127
129
130
Chapter 11
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
Displays
CRT displays
Light emitting diodes
Liquid crystal displays
Multiple-choice questions
132
133
139
141
144
CONTENTS
vii
Chapter 12
12.1
12.2
12.3
12.4
12.5
ESD
Static electricity
Static-sensitive devices
ESD warnings
Handling and transporting ESDs
Multiple-choice questions
146
146
148
149
150
151
Chapter 13
13.1
13.2
13.3
13.4
13.5
Software
Software classification
Software certification
Software upgrading
Data verification
Multiple-choice questions
153
153
154
155
160
160
Chapter 14
14.1
14.2
14.3
14.4
14.5
14.6
14.7
EMC
EMI generation
EMC and avionic equipment
Spectrum analysis
Effects and causes of EMI
Aircraft wiring and cabling
Grounding and bonding
Multiple-choice questions
162
162
165
166
169
172
172
173
Chapter 15
15.1
15.2
15.3
15.4
15.5
15.6
15.7
15.8
15.9
15.10
15.11
Avionic systems
Aircraft Communication Addressing and Reporting System
EFIS
Engine indication and crew alerting system
Fly-by-wire
Flight management system
Global Positioning System
Inertial reference system
Traffic alert collision avoidance system
Automatic test equipment
Built-in test equipment
Multiple-choice questions
175
175
176
180
182
183
184
186
187
189
189
189
Chapter 16
16.1
16.2
16.3
16.4
16.5
16.6
16.7
16.8
16.9
16.10
16.11
191
191
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
197
198
201
viii
CONTENTS
Chapter 17
17.1
17.2
17.3
17.4
17.5
17.6
17.7
17.8
17.9
17.10
17.11
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Appendix 4
Index
203
203
204
205
206
207
207
208
209
210
212
214
216
223
236
241
245
Preface
PREFACE
PREFACE
xi
Acknowledgements
1 Introduction
possible exceptions) entirely by reference to instruments. More about these important topics appears in
Chapters 5 and 6.
heading
altitude
airspeed
rate of turn
rate of climb (or descent)
attitude (relative to the horizon).
1.2 Altimeter
INTRODUCTION
Description
Indicates the aircrafts height (in feet or metres) above a reference level (usually
mean sea level) by measuring the local air pressure. To provide accurate readings
the instrument is adjustable for local barometric pressure. In large aircraft a second
standby altimeter is often available (see Figure 1.3)
Attitude indicator or
artificial horizon
(Figure 1.4)
Displays the aircrafts attitude relative to the horizon (see Figure 1.4). From this the
pilot can tell whether the wings are level and if the aircraft nose is pointing above
or below the horizon. This is a primary indicator for instrument flight and is also
useful in conditions of poor visibility. Pilots are trained to use other instruments in
combination should this instrument or its power fail
Airspeed indicator
(Figures1.5 and 1.6)
Displays the speed of the aircraft (in knots) relative to the surrounding air. The
instrument compares the ram-air pressure in the aircrafts pitot-tube with the
static pressure (see Figure 1.11). The indicated airspeed must be corrected for air
density (which varies with altitude, temperature and humidity) and for wind
conditions in order to obtain the speed over the ground
Magnetic compass
(Figure 1.7)
Indicates the aircrafts heading relative to magnetic north. However, due to the
inclination of the earths magnetic field, the instrument can be unreliable when
turning, climbing, descending or accelerating. Because of this the HSI (see below)
is used. For accurate navigation, it is necessary to correct the direction indicated
in order to obtain the direction of true north or south (at the extreme ends of the
Earths axis of rotation)
Horizontal situation
indicator
The horizontal situation indicator (HSI) displays a plan view of the aircrafts
position showing its heading. Information used by the HSI is derived from the
compass and radio navigation equipment (VOR), which provides accurate
bearings using ground stations. In light aircraft the VOR receiver is often
combined with the VHF communication radio equipment but in larger aircraft a
separate VOR receiver is fitted
Indicates rate of climb or descent (in feet per minute or metres per second) by
sensing changes in air pressure (see Figure 1.11)
Airspeed
indicator
Vertical speed
indicator
Altimeter
TEMPC
30 + 0 30
6 8 10
PRESS
200 ALT 40
180 AIRSPEED 60
160
140 KNOTS 80
120 100
Pitot heat
On
Off
10
10
ALTIMETER
7
6
2 9 .7
2 9 .8
5UP
15
VERTICAL
SPEED
20
5
100 FEET
PER MIN
DN
10
15
14 0
Static pressure
Aircraft fuselage
Pitot tube
Static port
INTRODUCTION
1.1.2 Acronyms
A number of acronyms are used to refer to flight instruments and cockpit indicating systems. Unfortunately,
there is also some variation in the acronyms used by
different aircraft manufacturers.The most commonly
used acronyms are listed in Table 1.2.A full list can be
found in Appendix 1.
Acronym
Meaning
ADI
ASI
Airspeed indicator
CDU
EADI
ECAM
EFIS
EHSI
EICAS
FDS
FIS
FMC
FMS
HSI
IRS
ND
Navigation display
PFD
RCDI
RMI
VOR
VSI
1. VFR
2. CRT
3. LCD
4. ADI
5. PFD.
an attitude indicator
a fixed aircraft symbol
pitch and bank command bars
a glide slope indicator
a localiser deviation indicator
a slip indicator
flight mode annunciator
various warning flags.
instrument landing system (ILS) glide slope, a preselected pitch attitude or maintain a selected
barometric altitude. To comply with the directions
indicated by the command bars, the pilot manoeuvres
the aircraft to align the fixed symbol with the command bars. When not using the bars, the pilot can
move them out of view.
The glide slope deviation pointer represents the
centre of the ILS glide slope and displays vertical
deviation of the aircraft from the glide slope centre.
The glide slope scale centreline shows aircraft position
in relation to the glide slope.
The localiser deviation pointer, a symbolic runway,
represents the centre of the ILS localiser, and comes
into view when the pilot has acquired the glide slope.
The expanded scale movement shows lateral deviation
from the localiser and is approximately twice as
sensitive as the lateral deviation bar in the horizontal
situation indicator. The selected flight mode is displayed in the lower left of the EADI for pitch modes,
and lower right for lateral modes. The slip indicator
provides an indication of slip or skid indications.
Electronic horizontal situation indicator
The electronic horizontal situation indicator (EHSI)
assists pilots with the interpretation of information
provided by a number of different navigation aids.
There are various types of EHSI, but essentially they
all perform the same function. An EHSI display (see
Figure 1.15) can be configured to display a variety of
information (combined in various different ways),
including:
heading indication
radio magnetic indication (RMI)
track indication
range indication
wind speed and direction
VOR, DME, ILS or ADF information.
INTRODUCTION
attitude gyro
VOR/localiser/glide slope receiver
radar altimeter
compass system
barometric sensors.
INTRODUCTION
1.18 A320 ECAM displays located above the centre console between the captain and first officer
10
INTRODUCTION
11
12