Introduction to Aircraft Avionics by Bharosh Kumar Yadav

Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION TO AVIONICS

Need for Avionics in civil and military aircraft and

space systems – Integrated Avionics system –
Typical avionics sub systems – Design approaches
and recent advances - Application Technologies.

INTRODUCTION
Avionics is a combination of aviation and electronics.
Avionics system or Avionics sub-system depends on electronics.
Avionics grew in 1950‟s and 1960 as electronic devices which
replaces the mechanical or analog equipment in the aircraft.
Avionics equipment on a modern military or civil
aircraft account for around;
• 30% of the total cost of the aircraft
• 40% in the case of a maritime patrol/anti-
submarine aircraft or helicopter.
• Over 75% of the total cost in the case of an
airborne early warning aircraft (AWACS).

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 Introduction to Aircraft Avionics by Bharosh Kumar Yadav

NEED FOR AVIONICS

To enable the flight crew to carry out the aircraft mission
safely and efficiently. For civil airliner the mission is carrying
passengers to their destination. For military aircraft the mission
is intercepting a hostile aircraft, attacking a ground target,
reconnaissance or maritime patrol.

Advantages
• Increased safety
• Air traffic control requirements
• All weather operation
• Reduction in fuel consumption
• Improved aircraft performance and control and
handling and reduction in maintenance costs

CORE AVIONICS SYSTEMS

A hierarchical structure comprising layers of specific
task and avionics system function for enabling the crew tocarry
out the aircraft mission.
The core avionics system is depicted in figure 1.1. In
the core avionics system, the systems which directly interface
with pilot are given below:

Display System
It provides the visual interface between the pilot andthe
aircraft systems.

Types
▪ HUD - Head Up Displays
▪ HMD - Helmet Mounted Displays
▪ HDD – Head Down Displays

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Communication System
It provides the two-way communication between the
ground bases and the aircraft or between aircrafts. A Radio
Transmitter and Receiver was the first avionics system installed
in an aircraft. The different types of frequencies used for several
ranges are given below.
Long Range Communication – High Frequency(2
– 30 MHz)
Medium Range Communication – Very High Frequency
(30 – 100 MHz)
Military Aircraft – Ultra High Frequency (250 – 400
MHz)
Now a days satellite communication systems are used
to provide very reliable communication.

Data Entry and Control System

It is essential for the crew to interact with the avionic
system. Ex: Keyboards, Touch Panels to use direct voice Input,
Voice warning systems and so on.

Flight Control System

It uses the electronic system in two areas.

(i) Auto Stabilization

• Roll Auto Stabilizer System
• Pitch Auto Stabilizer System

(ii) FBW Flight Control Systems

It provides continuous automatic stabilization of the
aircraft by computer control of the control surfaces from
appropriate motion sensors.

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Figure 1.1 Core Avionics System

Aircraft State Sensor Systems

For control and navigation of the aircraft the air data
quantities are essential.

Air Data Quantities are,

• Altitude
• Calibrated Airspeed

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• Vertical speed
• True Airspeed
• Mach Number
• Airstream Incidence Angle.

The air data computing system computes these

quantities from the outputs of sensors which measure the static
and total pressure and the outside air temperature.

Inertial Reference System

The aircraft attitude and the direction in which it is
heading are provided by the inertial sensor systems (Comprise
a set of gyros and accelerometers which measures the aircraft‟s
angular and linear motion).

Navigation System
The Navigation system provides Navigation
Information (Aircraft‟s position, Ground speed, Track angle).

❖ Dead Reckoning Systems

❖ Position Fixing Systems

DR Navigation systems derive the vehicle’s present

position by estimating the distance travelled from a known
position from knowledge of the speed and direction of the
vehicle.

Types of DR Navigation systems are,

i) Inertial Navigation systems (Most Accurate)
ii) Doppler / Heading Reference Systems (Used in
Helicopters)
iii) Air Data / Heading Reference Systems (Low Accuracy
when compared to the above systems)

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Radio Navigation Systems: (Position Fixing Systems)

Satellite or ground-based transmitter is used to
transmit the signal and it was received by the receiver in the
aircraft. According to the received signals a supporting
computer is used to derive the aircraft‟s position. The Prime
Position Fixing System used in aircraft is GPS.

ILS
Instrument Landing Systems or Microwave Landing
System is used for approach guidance to the airfield.

Outside World Sensor Systems

These systems comprise both radar and infrared sensor
which enables all weather and night time operation.

Radar Systems
Weather Radar detects water droplets, cloudturbulence
and warning about storms.

Fighter Aircrafts Radars

Multi Mode Radars for ground attack role and
interception role. The Radar must be able to detect aircraft upto
100 miles away and track several aircraft simultaneously (12
aircraft‟s). The Radar must have a look down capability to track
low flying aircraft below it.

Infrared Systems
It is used to provide a video picture of the thermalimage
scene of the outside world by using fixed Forward Looking Infra
Red (FLIR) sensor or a gimbaled IR imaging sensor. The
thermal image picture at night looks similar to thevisual picture
in day time, but highlights heat sources such as

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vehicle engines. FLIR can also be installed in civil aircraft to

provide enhanced vision in addition with HUD.

Task Automation Systems

These systems reduce the crew workload and enable
minimum crew operation.

Navigation Management System

It comprises the operation of all radio navigation aid
systems and the combination of data from all navigation sources
such as GPS and INS systems, to provide the bestestimation of
the aircraft position and ground speed.

Autopilots and Flight Management Systems

The autopilot relieves the pilot in long range mission.
FMS came into use in 1980‟s (Civil Aircraft).
The FMS tasks are given below.
(i) Flight Planning
(ii) Navigation Management
(iii) Engine control to maintain the planned speed
(iv) Control of Aircraft Flight Path
(v) Minimizing Fuel consumption
(vi) Ensuring the aircraft is at the planned 3D position at
the planned time slot (for Air Traffic Control).

Engine Control and Management

Modern jet engines are having the Full Authority Digital
Engine Control System (FADEC). This controls flow of fuel.
This control system ensures the engine‟s temperature, speed
and acceleration in control.
Engine health monitoring system record a wide range of
parameters, so it will give early warning of engine

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performance deterioration, excessive wear, fatigue damage,

high vibrations, excessive temperature etc.,

House Keeping Management

Automation of the background task which are essential
for the aircraft‟s safe and efficient operation.

Background tasks include

i) Fuel management
ii) Electrical power supply management
iii) Hydraulic power supply management
iv) Cabin / Cockpit pressurization systems
v) Environmental control systems
vi) Warning systems
vii) Maintenance and monitoring systems.

INTEGRATED AVIONICS SYSTEM

The combination, interconnection and control of the
individual sub-systems so that the overall system can carry out
its tasks effectively are referred to as integrated system. The first
major step towards integrating avionic system was taken in
1950s with the establishment of the weapon system concept.The
integration of avionic sub-systems in civil aircraft was taken in
1950s with the adoption of ARINC specifications. ARINC
defines systems and equipment specifications in terms of
functional requirements and physical dimensions andelectrical
interfaces.

INTEGRATED AVIONICS and WEAPON SYSTEM

The Avionics and Weapon System (AWS) in anymodern
day fighter aircraft enables the pilot to perform various mission
functions.

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Functional requirements of AWS are,

(i) Receive Inputs from sensors, communication systems,
Radio navigation systems, Identification system,
Missiles, Electronic counter measures system, Pilot
controls.
(ii) Computation of required parameters for Navigation
and Fire control.
(iii) Transferring the computed results to displays, Audio
system and weapons.
(iv) Controlling of weapon launch / Firing.
(v) Control / Co-ordinate / manage sensors optimally.

Sensors
A device which detects or measures a physical property
and records, indicates, or otherwise responds to it. like, Radars,
Inertial Navigation System, Air Data System, Forward Looking
Infrared Sensor, etc,.

Communication Systems
It is a digital datalink system for transmission of short
messages between aircraft and ground stations via airbandradio
or satellite. Data Link, Voice Link

Radio Navigation System

Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) is a Ultra High
Frequency Navigation system.

Identification System
Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) is designed for
command and control. It identifies the friendly targets but not
hostile ones.
Missiles: Locked on to target

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Electronic Counter Measures Systems

Radar warning receiver, Self-protection jammer,
Offensive jammer.
Self Protection Jammer – It is used to prevent detection
by enemy radar by jamming the signal of hostileradar.

Pilot Controls
Hands on stick and throttle controls

Parameters for Navigation and Fire control

▪ Navigation Algorithms – Guidance to steer point
▪ Fire Control Algorithms – Weapon Aiming, Missile
Launch

Control Weapon Launch / Firing

Weapon selection and preparation, launch sequence and
jettison (throw or drop from the aircraft).

AVIONICS SYSTEM DESIGN

Starting point for designing a digital avionics system is
a clear understanding of the mission requirements.
The three stages of avionics system design are:

• Conceptual design
• Preliminary design
• Detailed design

Conceptual design considerations are,

What will it do?
How will it do it?
What is the general arrangement of parts?

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The end result of conceptual design is an artist‟s or

engineer‟s conception of the vehicle/product.
Example: Clay model of an automobile.

Preliminary design considerations are,

How big will it be?
How much will it weight?
What engines will it use?
How much fuel or propellant will it use?
How much will it cost?
This is what you will do in this course.

Detailed design considerations are,

How many parts will it have?
What shape will they be?
What materials?
How will it be made?
How will the parts be joined?
How will technology advancements (e.g. lightweight
material, advanced airfoils, improved engines, etc.)
impact the design?

DESIGN and TECHNOLOGY

Specific things to be considered while designing an
Avionics Systems are,
(i) Functional Requirements
(ii) Cost
(iii) Required Safety level
(iv) Selection of Design
- Allocation of functions to sub-systems
- Identification of failure modes and its effects
(v) Implementation, Testing and Evaluation
(vi) Validation

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(vii) Reliability
(viii) Flexibility
(ix) Weight
(x) Power

Major Design aspects are,

a) Basic Architecture
b) Inter system communication
c) Incorporation of fault tolerant system
d) Evaluation of system design

System Architectures
i) Centralized
Signal conditioning and computations are done by
computers in an avionics bay and the signals are transmitted
over one way data bus.

Advantages
Simple design, Software can be written easily.

Disadvantages
Long data buses are required, Possibility for damage.

ii) Federated
Sharing of input, sensor data and computed results over
data buses.

iii) Distributed
Multiple processors are used for computing the task
under real time basis. This Architecture is used in modern
avionics system.

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APPLICATION OF AVIONICS SYSTEM DESIGN

TECHNOLOGY

Example: Top-level Requirement for Military Purpose

The customer prepares the statement of need and top-

level description of possible missions which describes the gross
characteristic of a hypothetical aircraft that could fly the
mission. Customer may also describe the mission environment
and define strategic and tactical philosophies and principles and
rules of engagement. The system development cycle and the
Aircraft Mission Requirements to Avionics System
Requirements are illustrated in figure 1.2 and 1.3.

Figure1.2 System Development Cycle

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Figure 1.3 Aircraft Mission Requirements to Avionics

System Requirements

“ILITIES” OF AVIONICS SYSTEM

• Capability
• Reliability
• Maintainability
• Certificability
• Survivability(military)
• Availability
• Susceptibility
• vulnerability
• Life cycle cost(military) or cost of ownership(civil)
• Technical risk
• Weight and power

Capability
• Whether the avionics system is capable?
• Can they do the job and even more?

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• Designer to maximize the capability of the system within

the constraints that are imposed.

Reliability
• The ability of a system or component to perform its
required functions under stated conditions for a specified
time.
• Designer strives to make systems as reliable as possible.
• High reliability less maintenance costs.
• If less reliable customer will not buy it and in terms of
civil airlines the certificating agencies will notcertify
it.

Maintainability
• Closely related to reliability.
• Maintainability is defined as the probability of
performing a successful repair action within a given
time.
• System must need preventive or corrective
maintenance.
• System can be maintained through built in testing,
automated troubleshooting and easy access to
hardware.

Availability
• Combination of reliability and maintainability.
• Trade of between reliability and maintainability to
optimize availability.
• Availability translates into sorties for military aircraft
and into revenue flights for civil aircrafts.

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Certificability
• Major area of concern for avionics in civil airlines.
• Certification conducted by the regulatory agencies based
on detailed, expert examination of all facets of aircraft
design and operation.
• The avionics architecture should be straight forwardand
easily understandable.
• There should be no sneak circuits and no obvious modes
of operation.
• Avionics certification focus on three analyses:
preliminary hazard, fault tree, and FMEA.

Survivability
– It is a function of susceptibility and vulnerability.
– Susceptibility: measure of probability that an aircraft
will be hit by a given threat.
– Vulnerability: measure of the probability that damage
will occur if there is a hit by the threat
– Life Cycle Cost(LCC)or Cost of ownership:
• It deals with economic measures need for evaluating
avionics architecture.
• It includes costs of varied items as spares
acquisition, transportation, storage and training
(crew and Maintenance personnel's), hardware
development and test, depreciation and interest.

Risk
– Amount of failures and drawbacks in the design and
implementation.
– Overcome by using the latest technology and fail proof
technique to overcome both developmental and long
term technological risks.

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Weight and power

– Minimize the weight and power requirements are two fundamental concepts of
avionics design.
– So the design must be light weight and power consuming which is possible
through the data bus and latest advancement of electronics devices.

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