Module 5B1 Bank 01: Electronic Instrument Systems Quiz

Electronic Instrument Systems

• Standardization of instruments in the cockpit was necessary due to the growing complexity of aircraft and the need to fly internationally.
• A system that works and shows normal function is associated with the green color.
• The Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Navigation Display (ND) form the Electronic Flight Information System (EFIS).
• A cockpit layout where analogue instruments are replaced by digital displays is called a Glass Cockpit.
• Apart from arrangements, visual annunciation panel layouts, color for warnings and cautions, and audible alarms like bells and chimes are also standardized.

Numbering Systems

• The binary system comprises only two numbers: 0 and 1.
• A fiber-optic cable consists of Core, Cladding, and Jacket.
• When two strands or two glass fibers are connected, it is called a splice.

Electronic Displays

• In a liquid crystal display, the liquid crystal layer changes its characteristics when a voltage is applied, allowing the crystal to align and polarize the light, consequently passing through the polarization filter.
• The picture on the screen of a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) is produced by the impact of the accelerated electrons.
• In aviation, liquid crystal displays are highly temperature sensitive.
• The main use for CRT screens in aviation is for displays of the electronic flight information system (EFIS).

Electrostatic Sensitive Devices

• ESD stands for Electrostatic Discharge.
• Electrostatic fields can develop around TV and radio transmitters, radar and satellite communication systems, and broadcasting antennas.

Typical Electronic/Digital Aircraft Systems

• GPS system accuracy can be increased for precision approaches by using differential GPS.
• The Flight Management System (FMS) consists of the flight management computer (FMC), but not the automatic flight control system (AFCS) or the fully authorized digital engine control (FADEC).
• Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) refers to an airworthy, computer electronic unit consisting of standardized components and interfaces in hardware and software for communication between the various systems in an aircraft.
• The system used for adjusting cabin lights, emergency signals, doors status, etc. is the Cabin Intercommunication Data System (CID).
• ATIMS (Air Traffic and Information Management System) uses the Internet to send and receive data.

Additional Notes

• The standard arrangement of the instruments for speed, attitude, altitude, and heading is called the Basic T.
• If a system requires attention, it is announced with the red color.
• The Primary Flight Display (PFD) shows at least speed, altitude, attitude, and heading.
• The binary system comprises only two numbers: 0 and 1.
• The device that converts analog data to digital data is called an A/D Converter.
• In a synchronous data transmission, several characters are transmitted together in a block.
• A Unit, which receives or transmits data by using the necessary address information in a bus system, is called a Responsive bus.
• In an asynchronous data transmission, every character is transmitted individually and sent with one or two stop bits.
• In an ARINC 429 bus system, every data word consists of 32 bits.
• A correct digital transmission can be ensured by using the same internal clock for transmitter and receiver.