Flight Data Recorder (SSFDR)
Flight Data Recorder (SSFDR)
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
SSFDR
Solid-State Flight Data Recorder
1X, 2X, 4X Models
Tri-Ax Accelerometer
FDR_DESC.DOC 3/00
Rev.- B 2
SOLID-STATE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER Description
Under Water
ED-55/56a Crash Survivable
Locator Beacon
Memory Unit (CSMU)
(ULB)
(1X or 2X model)
115Vac or 28Vdc
Power Supply
ED-55
Tri-Ax Accelerometer
Controller Board
Un-compressed Recording
Aircraft Interface
ARINC-573/717/747
Tri-Axial
Status Flag
Accelerometer (to Cockpit)
Acceleration
Maint. Flag
Aircraft
Mandatory Serial Data In
Parameters Serial Data Out
SSFDR
Recorder
Flight Data
Acquisition Unit DATA BITE
Hand-Held
ADL
OMS Download
Other Subsystem Provisions Unit
FDR_DESC.DOC 3/00
Rev.- B 3
SOLID-STATE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER Description
The SSFDR is the most modern available, incorporating the latest interface characteristics defined in
ARINC Project Paper 747. Aircraft interfaces include one (1) ARINC-717 Harvard Bi-Phase input for
receiving flight data from the aircraft's Flight Data Acquisition Unit (FDAU).
The SSFDR also includes provisions for two ARINC-429 interfaces as defined in ARINC-747; one is
reserved for future copying of the FDR's recorded data to an Airborne Data Loader, and the second is
provided for new generation aircraft equipped with Onboard Maintenance Systems.
Extensive micro-processor based built-in-test greatly simplifies test and trouble shooting, thereby
minimizing technician training and support equipment costs.
The SSFDR provides an interface for high speed readout of its memory while onboard the aircraft.
Readout time is under 5 minutes for the 1X model, under 10 minutes for the 2X model, and under 20
minutes for the 4X model.
FDR_DESC.DOC 3/00
Rev.- B 4
SOLID-STATE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER Description
The breakdown of major components and SRU accesses are summarized in Figure 3.
Handle or
Underwater Locator ULB Mounting
Beacon (ULB) (4 Places)
Crash Survivable
Memory Unit (CSMU)
PS Access Cover
ARINC-404A
Chassis
Interface & Control
Circuit Board (ICB)
All three SRUs are readily accessible without requiring major disassembly. The CSMU may be removed
from its mounting shelf by simply removing four bolts and releasing its mating connector. The plug-in
power supply may be accessed by removing the top (power supply) access panel. Access to the plug-in
interface controller board is accomplished by removing the bottom cover panel from the SSFDR chassis.
An optional under water locator beacon (ULB), per TSO C-121, is mounted on the front of the unit and also
serves as a handle. Four (4) mounting bolts firmly attach the ULB directly to the front of the CSMU to
avoid separation in the event of an incident. The mounting of the ULB also facilitates easy access for
replacement of its battery. If the SSFDR is purchased without the ULB, a hollow metal tube is mounted in
its place.
FDR_DESC.DOC 3/00
Rev.- B 5
SOLID-STATE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER Description
Internal System
Control Bus
ARINC-717 Interface
Full Quality
Bi-0 Input RCVR CSMU
FDAU FDAU Memory
Bi-0 Output
Data Interface
Logic
Bus
Maint. Flag Status
Relays
Status Flag CSMU
Recording Buffers
Tx Output DRVR
80C198 -422 RS-422
(OMS)
MicroController XCVR GBE I/O
Rx Input 4-Chan.
12 MHz
-429
Rx Input XCVR
(ADL) Embedded Program
32K Bytes
Tx Output DRVR
A key element of the SSFDR design is that the flight data recording is accomplished in the same manner as
previous tape-based FDRs, that is, without data synchronization or compression. This simplified
recording approach provides several advantages to the user:
The equipment will work identically without regard to special FDAU sync patterns.
Maintenance and troubleshooting of complex compression algorithms are avoided.
By eliminating synchronization and data compression, recording duration does not vary
with aircraft flight profile, nor is a specific aircraft database required.
There is no question about meeting the 25 hour minimum recording duration!
The flight data input circuits meet ARINC-717/747 interface requirements with the FDAU. Serial data
input is decoded from the FDAU's bi-phase transmission format into a bit-for-bit binary form, which is then
recorded in CSMU memory.
The system controller provides a direct high speed RS-422 serial link for interface with Ground Based
Equipment via a connector on the front of the SSFDR. The GBE interface supports access to incoming
FDAU data, and built-in-test fault history memory, as well as high speed readout (download) of the CSMUs
recording memory.
FDR_DESC.DOC 3/00
Rev.- B 6
SOLID-STATE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER Description
Short Model
1.60" max.
ARINC-404A
Mounting Hooks
(2 places)
6.10"
19.62" max.
4.80"
ARINC-404A
Connector
FDR_DESC.DOC 3/00
Rev.- B 7
SOLID-STATE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER Description
The SSFDR has been fully qualified to meet the environmental service conditions for rack mounted
equipment per DO-160C as outlined below. These conditions have been selected to assure its failure-free
use in virtually all commercial transport aircraft which require use of a FDR.
FDR_DESC.DOC 3/00
Rev.- B 8
SOLID-STATE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER Description
The SSFDR's crash survivable memory unit (CSMU) provides for complete data recovery when subjected
to the crash conditions stipulated in ED-55 and ED-56a:
Impact Shock 3400G, 6.5 milliseconds
Penetration Resistance 500 lb. weight from 10 feet
Static Crush 5000 lbs., 5 minutes
High Temperature Fire 1100C, 30 minutes
Low Temperature Fire 260C, 10 hours (per ED-56a)
Deep Sea Pressure and 20,000 feet, 30 days
Sea Water/Fluids Immersion Per ED-55
The CSMU design has been fully qualified to these requirements and, in fact, exceeds them by
considerable margin in key survival areas:
Impact shock has been successfully demonstrated at 4800 G's
High temperature fire exposure has been tested to 60 minutes
Low temperature fire was tested immediately after exposure to 1100C fire
The superior performance of the CSMU is the result of 30 years experience with designing and producing
protective enclosures. As shown in Figure 6, a very simple package design has been achieved, which not
only contributes to its industry leading survivability characteristics, but also assures a high degree of
maintainability. Compared to competing models, requirements for specialized repair knowledge and
support equipment have been greatly reduced.
Housing
Steel Armor
Thermal Block
Upper Module
Memory Board
FLASH Memory ICs
Access Cover
Steel Armor
Insulation
Housing Liner
The CSMU is easily removed from the top of the SSFDR chassis without having to disassemble the
remainder of the unit. A steel bottom cover provides easy access to the Memory Board. Since the CSMU
uses modular "dry-block" materials for both the insulating liner and thermal mass, there is no need to deal
with the sticky thermal gels or special insulating fluids. The Memory Board design is very simple,
consisting of only a single small circuit card assembly.
FDR_DESC.DOC 3/00
Rev.- B 9
SOLID-STATE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER Description
A tri-axial accelerometer meeting the requirements of the FAA TSO C-51a for measurement of acceleration
at the aircraft center of gravity can also be provided. The flight data acquisition unit (FDAU) typically
provides interface inputs for operation in conjunction with a tri-axial accelerometer as defined in ARINC-
717. The FDR accelerometer measures vertical, lateral, and longitudinal acceleration values experienced
by the airframe. The FDAU processes acceleration values and outputs these along with all other flight
parameters in the serial data stream to the FDR.
The standard ARINC-717 Triax, shown in Figure 7 can be provided as part of the SSFDR recording system
package. This device has a well-earned reputation for being the most reliable in the industry. The
following briefly summarizes the characteristics of this device.
2.40" max.
Mounting Hole
(3 Places)
Datum Surface
(underside 3 plcs)
4.00" max.
2.50" max.
Connector
PT07H-12-10P
FDR_DESC.DOC 3/00
Rev.- B 10
SOLID-STATE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER Description
DOWNLOADING TIME
1X SSFDR < 5 minutes
2X SSFDR <10 minutes
4X SSFDR <20 minutes
Download
Application S/W
Data
Storage
Hand-Held Cartridge
Download (PCMCIA)
Unit
The HHDLU contains a "credit card" sized removable memory cartridge for storing the downloaded
flight data. This cartridge provides sufficient capacity to enable the operator to download several
aircraft before replacing/erasing the cartridge. Download files may be selectively erased. The
cartridge is compatible with commercially available personal computer cartridge drives, thereby
providing an efficient and cost effective method of transferring data from the HHDLU to other ground
based tools, such as the SSFDRs test station or a dedicated analysis computer.
Recognizing that users will possess varying levels of sophistication, the operator interface has
intentionally been kept very simple to minimize the need for extensive training. Four entry keys
control operation and a 4-line display indicates progress.
FDR_DESC.DOC 3/00
Rev.- B 11
SOLID-STATE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER Description
The Acceptance Test Unit (ATU) is a cost effective shop level personal computer (PC) based system
with associated software which can perform download of SSFDR recording memory, processing of
downloaded data, acceptance testing and return to service testing of the SSFDR. Because the "TEST"
function does not preserve the data contained in the recording memory, the PATS operations are
segmented into two distinct applications; "READOUT" and "TEST". This provides a level of
protection against unintentional erasure or re-write of recorded flight data. Figure 9 shows the ATU in
its SSFDR test configuration.
HHDLU
Cartridge Readout Program
Playback
PCMCIA Application S/W
Drive Download
PCMCIA Application S/W
Cartridge Drive
GBE I/B Data
RS-422 Storage (disk)
GBE I/B
RS-422
ARINC 717/429
TEST Program
GBE I/B
717/429/422
TEST
Application S/W
Data
Storage (disk)
Automated Test
Unit
SSFDR
FDR_DESC.DOC 3/00
Rev.- B 12
SOLID-STATE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER Description
ADRAS is a software package which enables the airlines to perform their own analysis of flight data
removed from the solid state FDR products. This program operates on a 486 class personal computer
in a MS Windows operating environment. The Windows user interface provides an easily understood
menu driven readout and analysis tool that requires minimal operator training. ADRAS is a full
featured analysis tool which performs readout of the flight recorder data, as well as reconstruction of
the data into formats which are useful in the analysis process.
Display formats include both tabular listings and analog (strip chart) presentation.
Results may be viewed on the computer screen, printed, and/or stored as a disk file.
Logical search features enable the operator to search for and display specific events.
Control features enable the operator to zoom in on details or switch display formats.
A database construction and editing tool enables operator modification of parameter tables.
As examples of the ADRAS capability, Figure 10 shows both tabular and plot presentation formats
where the operator selected GMT, Altitude, Airspeed and the AIR/GROUND switch as parameters.
The ADRAS can very quickly search the entire 25 hours of flight data and trigger on such an event.
The operator could have set the search logic to trigger on the air/ground switch, or altitude, or a
combination of both. The operator has the ability to move between these displays or zoom in on the
specific area of the event for a closer look.
Tabular List
Ground/Air Discrete
at 18:02:08
Plot Output
Ground/Air Discrete
at 18:02:08
FDR_DESC.DOC 3/00
Rev.- B 13
SOLID-STATE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER Description
The SSFDR provides an interface for high speed readout of its memory using a Hand Held Download Unit
(HHDLU) while onboard the aircraft. Readout (data transfer) time for the entire 4X model memory
contents is less than 20 minutes.
Initially developed for installation on the next generation Boeing 737 aircraft scheduled for roll-out in
3Q96, the 4X SSFDR is equally applicable to any FDAU equipped aircraft (forward fit or retro-fit), either
to accept the higher data rate (256 words per second) or record the same data rate for an increased time
period (e.g., in excess of 100 hours for 64 words per second data rate).
Qualification
The 4X SSFDR will be qualified to the categories of DO 160C
(D2-BB[BCLMNY]E1XXXFXA(E/A)A(E/A)ZVZLXX ) as shown on the attached summary specification.
Approvals
The 4X SSFDR is approved to TSO C124 and CAA Spec 10a. The new configuration is considered a
minor change in accordance with FAR 21.611.
Test Equipment Impact
The Automatic Test Unit (ATU) 964-0434, used for existing SSFDR products, will require an interface
upgrade, in order to accommodate the faster 256 words per second data rate. Alternatively, two new dash
numbers -042 and -044 will be available to accommodate CSMU testing only and all FDR testing
respectively.
The HHDLU 964-0446, will also require modification from -001 to -002 to operate with the increased 256
words per second data rate.
FDR_DESC.DOC 3/00
Rev.- B 14
SOLID-STATE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER Description
D2-BB[BCLMNY]E1XXXFXAEAEZVZLXX
Approvals FAA: TSO C124 [Pending]
CAA: Specification 10a [Pending]
Data Capacity 25 Hours @ 256 Words/Sec (3,072 bits / Sec)
50 Hours @ 128 Words/Sec (1,536 bits / Sec)
100 Hours @ 64 Words/Sec (768 bits / Sec)
Data Storage Medium 36 Mbyte, Flash EEPROM
Performance ARINC 573/717/747 DFDR
Options Underwater Locator Beacon
Download <20 Minutes onboard using HHDLU
FDR_DESC.DOC 3/00
Rev.- B 15
SOLID-STATE FLIGHT DATA RECORDER Description
Table Definitions
Input Power: AC 115 VAC, 400 Hz, 1 Phase AC/DC 115 VAC, 400 Hz, 1 Phase, or 28
VDC
Form Factor: Long 1/2 ATR Long / ARINC 404 Short 1/2 ATR Short / ARINC 404
Integral ULB: Yes - Equipped No - Not Equipped (Shipped with handle)
Memory Size: 1X > 25 Hr @ 64 Words/sec
2X > 25 Hr @ 128 Words/sec
4X > 25 Hr @ 256 Words/sec
FDR_DESC.DOC 3/00
Rev.- B 16