Electronic Instrument Systems in Aviation
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Electronic Instrument Systems in Aviation

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary issue with early aircraft instrument panels?

  • Instruments were not reliable
  • Difficulty in reading the instruments
  • Variation in instrument layout between aircraft (correct)
  • Lack of instruments
  • What were the typical instruments found in early aircraft?

  • Airspeed Indicator, Compass, and Clock
  • Airspeed Indicator, Attitude Indicator, and Compass
  • Altimeter, Compass, and Clock
  • Compass, Clock, and Altimeter (correct)
  • What was the significance of the Basic T configuration?

  • It made critical information immediately identifiable in an emergency (correct)
  • It was a more compact layout
  • It made instruments more readable
  • It was only used in military aircraft
  • What was the primary advantage of the Basic T configuration?

    <p>It enabled pilots to fly in the dark or poor weather</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When did the Basic T configuration become widely used?

    <p>After 1950</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What instruments were typically placed in a row in the Basic T configuration?

    <p>Altimeter, Attitude Indicator, and Airspeed Indicator</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why was the compass placed below the row of instruments in the Basic T configuration?

    <p>To enable pilots to fly in the dark or poor weather</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary reason for developing standardized instrument layouts?

    <p>To enable pilots to fly multiple aircraft types</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of electronic flight instruments in an aircraft?

    <p>To provide the flight crew with primary aircraft operational information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the advantage of using EFIS systems over analogue instrument-based cockpits?

    <p>Reduced number of devices to scan and reduced instrument clutter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of symbol generators in an EFIS system?

    <p>To drive the displays and provide graphical information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the advantage of using multifunction displays in an EFIS system?

    <p>Allows for the display of additional information beyond EADI and EHSI</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the EADI and EHSI displays in an EFIS system?

    <p>To provide navigation and attitude information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the benefit of having interchangeable displays in an EFIS system?

    <p>Improved maintenance and reduced downtime</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary source of information for EFIS displays?

    <p>Sensors and avionics data buses</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a centre symbol generator in an EFIS system?

    <p>To take over primary symbol generator functions in case of failure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of information does the ND display in a Boeing 737?

    <p>Terrain information and weather radar information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the system used by Boeing to provide airframe and engine data?

    <p>EICAS</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is displayed on the primary and secondary screens in a Boeing system?

    <p>Primary and secondary engine data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the system used by Airbus to provide engine, system, and synoptic information?

    <p>ECAM</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is displayed on the screens in an Airbus system?

    <p>Primary and secondary engine data, visual cautions, warnings, and memos</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the EICAS system in a Boeing aircraft?

    <p>To provide airframe and engine data, visual cautions, warnings, and memos</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the module and topic where more information on the EFIS and EICAS is provided?

    <p>Module 5 Topic 15</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the name of the instrument panel layout used in a Boeing aircraft?

    <p>Boeing instrument panel layout with EFIS and EICAS displays</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of duplicating data buses in digital systems?

    <p>To provide redundancy in case of system failure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of converters are used to pass information from analogue systems to digital systems?

    <p>ADCs (Analogue-to-Digital Converters)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of a Symbol Generator Unit (SGU) in an Electronic Display System?

    <p>To receive and process all aircraft sensor inputs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common failure mode in digital systems?

    <p>Short circuit between a terminal and earth</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of a digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) in a digital system?

    <p>To convert digital signals to analogue signals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do commercial aircraft typically have at least two symbol generators?

    <p>To provide redundancy in case of system failure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term used to describe the separate buses in parallel in a digital system?

    <p>Channels A and B</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the most common failure mode when a connector is not installed correctly?

    <p>Signal loss due to poor connector contact</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main function of the symbol generator in an electronic instrument display system?

    <p>To process information from the data bus and send it to the display</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when two channels of the data bus fail?

    <p>The other symbol generators can still function</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of data is sent from the symbol generator to the I/O processors?

    <p>Raw data from the data bus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the main processor in the display system?

    <p>To control all activities to prevent clashes between I/O and display controller</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of display bus is used to send information from the symbol generator to the display?

    <p>Display bus</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many separate channels of a data bus can be used in a display system?

    <p>Three</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when a symbol generator fails?

    <p>The back-up unit takes its place</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two types of data that can be written on the screen?

    <p>Stroke and raster</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Conventions and Development of Electronic Instrument Systems

    • Early aircraft had only a clock and a compass, which was acceptable for daytime flights in clear weather.
    • As more instruments became available, they were arranged randomly on the instrument panel, causing problems for pilots flying multiple aircraft.
    • After 1950, most aircraft cockpits adopted the Basic T configuration, with an Airspeed Indicator, Attitude Indicator, and Altimeter in a row, making essential information easily accessible in emergencies.

    Arrangements of Electronic Instrument Systems

    • Electronic Flight Instrument Systems (EFIS) provide all primary aircraft operational information on display screens, reducing instrument clutter and maintenance needs.
    • A typical EFIS system consists of four interchangeable displays: two EADI (Electronic Attitude Director Indicator) and two EHSI (Electronic Horizontal Situation Indicator), three symbol generators, two control panels, and two source selection panels.

    Cockpit Layout of Electronic Instrument Systems

    • The Boeing system uses the Engine Indicating and Crew Alert System (EICAS) to display airframe and engine data, and indicate visual cautions, warnings, and memos.
    • The Airbus system uses the Electronic Centralised Aircraft Monitor System (ECAM) to display engine, system, and synoptic information, and indicate visual cautions, warnings, and memos.
    • Both systems use primary and secondary screens to display primary and secondary engine data, respectively.

    Data Buses and Symbol Generators

    • Data buses are duplicated for redundancy, with channels A and B carrying the same information to ensure system operation if one bus fails.
    • Symbol generators receive all aircraft sensor inputs, process and transmit information to electronic displays, and provide analogue, discrete, and digital signal interfaces.
    • Commercial aircraft typically have at least two symbol generators, with some systems having an additional unit for redundancy.

    Basic Operation of Aircraft Display Systems

    • Symbol generators receive information from the data bus and send it to the display, as selected by the aircrew.
    • All symbol generators receive the same data from the data bus, allowing back-up units to take over in case of failure.
    • Display systems use up to three separate channels of a data bus, and can still function if two channels fail.

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    Description

    Learn about the typical arrangements and cockpit layouts of electronic instrument systems in aviation, including their history and development.

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