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Aviation History
2004
2004-09 - 1234.PDF
Avioj Design of the Airbus A380 was locked too early for the aircraft to benefit fully from the Victoria programme, but Airbus senior exec utive Sylvain Prudhomme points out that the project has already contributed to "de- risking" some of the technology developed for the ultra-large jet. Future aircraft, yet to be designed, will be the true beneficiaries of the European collaboration, he says. "Victoria has opened new perspectives for the development of integrated modular avionics. We can't say that 100% of the work will find an application in one go. But there will be other opportunities for the next evolution of the products." Airbus Germany's Walter Kraus, who leads Victoria's cabin domain effort, describes the current state of electronics integration on civil aircraft as a "night mare". But he says the Victoria consortium has succeeded in demonstrating the poten tial for simplification. System architecture for each of the Victoria programme's six domains has been constructed around common hard ware blocks, including a core processing input/output module (CPIOM). The CPIOM is a standard hardware platform designed to host several independent air craft functions. Further examples of the common hardware include the use of Ethernet data networks to provide commu nications and the incorporation of avion ics full-duplex (AFDX) switching. Within the cabin domain, for example, the CPIOM hosts inter-related functions such as cabin-pressurisation control sys tems, air conditioning and ventilation. These are also integrated with applications, including the fire- and smoke-detection sys tem, as well as the electronics monitoring the status of the aircraft's doors and evacua tion slides. Similarly, the utilities domain jses CPIOMs to host several important :ontrol functions, such as braking. The utilities CPIOMs also handle func- ions such as fuel management, measure- nent and display, plus the landing-gear extension and retraction systems, and the tircraft's nose-wheel steering software. Another of the six domains, energy, mploys the standardised architecture to ontrol electrical power distribution. Yew services is well as adapting existing functions to he integrated modular electronics con- ept, Victoria aims to ease the introduction f new services on aircraft. Within the ockpit domain, the programme has emonstrated the implementation of a ewly developed airport navigation func- on. This takes the form of a database that in upload graphical taxiway and runway Victoria aims to simplify the immense complexity of aircraft avionics maps, as well as airport information, to the pilot's navigation display. Cockpit domain leader Sylvie Robert says: "Within Victoria we are to demonstrate open architecture - we have had to select an application, and this one has been raised by pilots." There are also moves to develop new passenger electronic services - such as inter net and email access, three-dimensional moving-map displays, and on-demand tele vision - and improved on-board informa tion access for maintenance staff. Future research spin-offs from Victoria are being considered, including the use of fibre-optic data communications and the development of smart, maintenance-free components. Airbus UK's Graham Dodds says airframers will benefit from fewer pro prietary solutions, leading to greater com petition to supply equipment and, as a consequence, reduction of costs. But he points out the evolution of inte grated modular electronics will alter indus trial relationships between the airframer and suppliers, particularly where technical problems need to be resolved. "With a fed erated architecture the resolution route is straightforward because of the simple boundaries," says Dodds. "With an inte grated modular electronics solution, a fail ure could arise from system design, alloca tion of resources, hardware or application software. This could easily involve four or more companies with different ideas about where to start resolving the failure." Victoria programme manager Huysseune says that, once the project ends, the European aviation electronics industry will be in a position to promote a "coherent" integrated modular electronics concept and its new associated standards. Given that all-new commercial aircraft, including regional aircraft, will probably utilise the concepts being developed by Victoria to some degree, the consortium estimates the potential global integrated modular electronics market at €300 billion over the next 20 years. • ww.flightinternational.com FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 13-19 JULY 2004 65
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