RF Signal Switching & Distribution in Civil Aviation Aircraft

Glenn Research Center
University of Akron
RF Signal Switching & Distribution
in Civil Aviation Aircraft
Okechukwu C. Ugweje
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3904
and
Hung D. Nguyen, R. J. Kerczewski, Felix Miranda, and Duc H. Ngo
NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135
Advanced Air Transportation Technologies
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Outline
Glenn Research Center
University of Akron
FRationale/Goals for this Study
FAirplanes Physical Description
FImportant Statistics/Design Concept
FOutcome of Design
FConventional Flight Control System
FFly-by-Wire Flight Control System
FAirplane’s Subsystems and AIMS
FOnboard Optical Fiber System
FRF Subsystem
FSummary and Conclusion
FLimitations of the Study
Advanced Air Transportation Technologies
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Rationale/Goals of this Study
Glenn Research Center
University of Akron
F Rationale:
mWith emerging technologies (e.g. multimedia, wideband,
satellite, GPS), the traditional avionics in civil aviation
using coaxial cables or wires may not be adequate
mInstead of link-by-link communication (using separate
subsystems), it is possible to have total system
integration providing total system response
mWith integrated systems significant increase in
reliability, capacity, security and safety can be achieved
mWith advanced technologies, services, previously not
available, will be provided to the customers
le.g., wideband communications and interactive
multimedia communications within the airplane
Advanced Air Transportation Technologies
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Glenn Research Center
University of Akron
F Goals:
mTechnology Assessment
lEvaluate the current status of civil aircraft avionics
with emphasis on RF communication subsystem
wBoeing 777 model aircraft used for this study
mTechnology Characterization
lCharacterize the current technology in terms of
system performance
mMethod of Improvement
lDetermine if system can be improved and if so how?
lDetermine areas needing further investigation
Advanced Air Transportation Technologies
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Typical Airplane Wiring
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University of Akron
FWiring in a typical aircraft showing hundreds of meters
of cables/wires within the airline cabinet
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Airplane’s Physical Description
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University of Akron
F3-view drawings of
the Boeing 777
aircraft showing
fundamental
dimensions
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Glenn Research Center
University of Akron
FLateral view showing
ground clearing and
fundamental
dimensions
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Glenn Research Center
University of Akron
FTop view showing
essential instrument
locations
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Glenn Research Center
University of Akron
Advanced Air Transportation Technologies
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Important Statistics/Design Concept
Glenn Research Center
University of Akron
F Important Statistics
Estimated cost
$146 Million
Size
World’s largest twinjet
Capacity
305-550 passengers
Engine types
General Electric GE90, Pratt & Whitney
PW4000, Rolls-Royce Trent 800
Range
6,890-8,435 miles
Parts
132,500 unique parts; 3,000,000 fasteners
F Innovative Design Approach
m Unlike previous Boeing airplane design using
production line mentality, this airline was 100%
digitally designed using 3-D solids technology applying
CATIA, ELFINI, EPIC design processes
Advanced Air Transportation Technologies
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