7th International Technology, Education and Development Conference
March 4th-6th , 2013
Valencia, Spain
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
Objectives
 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.
Flight Data Recorder
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
Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fdr_sidefront.jpg
Block Diagram of FDR
Raw
digital
data
is converted
FDR
output
in
terms
ofstoredby
Analog
Signal
from
sensors,
FDR
Digital
output
Signal
in isa text
interpreted
file
Data
is
simultaneously
for
graphical
analysis
based on
graphical
format
for
example
Air
Data
sensor,
is
FDR
system
in
memory.
respective
data
conversion and
converted to
digital
operating limits
Data recorder
Sensors
Data Conversion & Transfer
Data
Listing
Data Acquisition Unit
Figure : FDR MODEL
Display
Steps in Design
Model aircraft
control surfaces
are interfaced
Design
steps
with motors
connected
to the
require
basic
microcontroller
understanding
circuit.
and application
Analog
inputs
of all major
generated by
academic
surface
subjects
movements is
involved
in an
sampled and
undergraduate
after ADC is
course
of
stored for
Avionics
Engg.
graphical display
Theoritical Subjects Correlated
Sensors, Control Surfaces
Aircraft Instrumrntation
Analog Input
Sampling
Analog to Digital Conversion
Communication Engg
Avionics Engg, Basic Electronics,
Digital Electronics, Microprocessors
& Programming
Data Storage
Digital to Graphic
Conversion
Display
MAT LAB Application
Computer Interfacing
Flow Chart of FDR Model
Power Supply
12V
Voltage Regulator
Temperature Sensor
5V
Aileron
Up/Down
Elevator
Up/Down
Hands on
Control
Panel
Rudder
Up/Down
L.G.
Up/Down
Engine-P
Up/Down
Central
Processing Unit
Engine-S
Up/Down
Aileron angle
Elevator angle
Rudder angle
Landing Gear angle
Temperature data
Engine-S RPM
Engine-T RPM
Memory unit
Elevator
Data
Transfer
Computer
Aileron
Sensors
like
surfaces,
All
respective
thecontrol
sensors
data are
is
Central
Processing
engineconnected
temperature
simultaneously
stored
in
UnitRPM,
is the through
heart
of wire
sensorwith
arememory
tofrom
the
the
a connected
hand device
held
designed
FDR.control
processing
unit.
sensors
box
the
and All
control
processing
of
12V central
power
supply
exceptindividual
are
unit.
The data
sensor
issensor
stored
is done
as
istemperature
regulated
down
visiblefrom
temperature
binary
which
A
is pair
further
of
to whereas
5Vhere.
to operate
sensorswitch
is fitted
the
main
converted
is inside
used
intounit.
for
decimal
each
the
processing
circuit.sensor
value. to operate.
Rudder
MATLAB
Software
Landing Gear
Engine-P
Engine-S
Graphical Display
As
This
in
this
isa the
profile
As
After
aircraft
while
isFDR
taking
there
output
no
of
Roll
a simple
or
off
aircraft
soisEngine
lands,
RPM
so
Yaw
flight
movement,
profile
isElevator
Maximum
goes, so
both
where
Aileron
aircraft
and
Landing
Down,
Landing
Gear
is
Rudder
takesFolded
isDown
unmoved,
andand
then
being
Gear
isoff
also
they
landed
haveRPM
after
no aUp.
few
Elevator
Engine
goes
keeps
deflection.
moments.
decreasing.
Graphical Display
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.
Conclusion
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.
Photo Attachments
Thank you