WILJAM FLIGHT TRAINING

Chapter 1.8
Central Air Data Computer
Introduction
Many of the primary flight instruments on an aeroplane are dependent on pressures that are
transmitted from the pitot/static probes through a system of pipelines before reaching the
sensors in the instruments. Larger aeroplanes require longer pipes, which would result in
increased lag errors and a greater risk of breakage/leakage. To overcome this, and to create
other benefits, most modern transport category aeroplanes use Central Air Data Computers
(CADC).
The Central Air Data Computer
In its basic format, a CADC is an analogue device that produces electrical signals equivalent to
pitot and static pressures, and Total Air Temperature (TAT), as shown below.

These signals are computed within the CADC to produce electrical output signals, which are
equivalent to:

Altitude

CAS

Vertical speed

Mach number

TAS

CADCs are powered whenever the aeroplane AC busbars are powered, and the output signals
are used to operate various flight instruments and aeroplane systems. The flight instruments
supplied by the CADC are the:

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WILJAM FLIGHT TRAINING

Altimeter

Airspeed Indicator

Vertical Speed Indicator

Machmeter

The aeroplane systems which are typically supplied are the:

Flight Data recorder (FDR).

Flight Management System (FMS).

Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS).

Transponder.

Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS).

Power Management Computer (PMC).

Flight Director System (FDS).

Calculated values of True Airspeed (TAS) and Total Air Temperature (TAT) or Static Air
Temperature (SAT) are also normally digitally displayed on the aeroplanes instrument panel.
The CADC additionally compensates automatically for both temperature and compressibility
effects at high Mach numbers, thus enabling accurate instrument readings to be computed over
a wide range of altitudes and airspeeds. The disadvantage of the CADC is that unlike
conventional pressure instruments it requires power to operate, so a back-up system is
provided, via either an alternate power supply, or by simple pressure instruments. Two CADCs
are normally fitted, to guard against a single failure, and each computer is supplied from
separate Pitot-static sources.
Conversion of Sensing Pressures
Transducers are used to convert the sensed pressures into electrical signals; one senses the
static pressure, whilst the other senses the dynamic pressure. A typical pressure transducer
utilises the expansion of a diaphragm or capsule to actuate an electrical pick-off, as shown
below, for the CADC Altitude Module.

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WILJAM FLIGHT TRAINING

As the capsule changes shape, due to a pressure change, the position of the I bar relative to
the E bar will be altered. When the two air gaps are unequal, the reluctance of each circuit will
change, and an electrical output will be generated, as shown on the next page. The resultant
signal will be amplified and applied to a servomotor, which, via an output shaft, will move the E
bar until the air gaps equalise. When this occurs no further signals will be fed to the amplifier,
and the I bar will be in a null position. The output shaft is also connected to a control (CX)
synchro, which has power applied to its rotor, thus enabling the angular position to be measured
in terms of pressure.
NO OUTPUT
PICK-OFF COIL

ELECTRICAL

AIR
GAP

OUTPUT

AC
SUPPLY
TO
PRIMARY
COIL

AC
SUPPLY
TO
PRIMARY
COIL
PRIMARY COIL

'I' BAR IN
NULL POSITION
(EQUAL AIR
GAPS)

MAGNETIC
CIRCUIT

PICK-OFF COIL

AIR
GAP

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'I' BAR MOVED

ABOUT PIVOT
(UNEQUAL AIR
GAPS)

WILJAM FLIGHT TRAINING

Some systems alternatively use Piezo Electric Transducers, which consist of a stack of quartz
discs, where each disc has a metallic pattern deposited on it. When pressure is applied to the
stack, it will cause it to flex or bend, and an electrical signal will be produced. The polarity of the
resultant signal will be dictated by the direction of flex, and its overall strength will be governed
by the amount the disc flex.
Digital Air Data Computer
Some modern aeroplanes are alternatively fitted with Digital Air Data Computers, which use
digital computing and electronic circuits instead of servomotors. In this system the analogue
inputs are directly converted into digital outputs before computation, but if analogue outputs are
required, they have to be acquired from the digital format. A typical system is shown below.

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