CEC336-AVIONICS SYSTEMS

QUESTION BANK

UNIT I INTRODUCTION TO AVIONICS

Part-A(2 Marks)

1. What is avionics?
Avionics means "aviation electronics". It comprises electronic systems for use on
aircraft, artificial satellites and spacecraft, comprising communications,navigation and the
display and management of multiple systems.
(or)
‘Avionics’ is a word derived from the combination of Aviation and Electronics. All electronic
and electro mechanical systems and subsystems(hardware and software) installed in an
aircraft that are dependent on electronics for its operation.
Purpose:
Avionics Systems are essential to enable the flight crew to carryout the aircraft mission
safely and to meet the mission requirements with minimum flight crew.

2. Explain the advantage of using avionics in civil aircraft.

 Reducing the crew workload by automating tasks.
 The reduction in weight can be translated to increased passengers or
long range.
 To enable the flight crew to carry out the aircraft mission safely and
efficiently.
 All weather operation and reduction in maintenance costs.

3. Explain the advantage of using avionics in military aircraft.

 A single seat fighter or strike aircraft is lighter and Costs less than an
equivalent two seat version.
 Elimination of the second crew member (navigator/observer/crew
member) results in reduction in training costs.
 Improved aircraft performance and control and handling and
reduction in maintenance costs
 Secure communication.

4. Give the general advantage of Avionics over the conventional aircraft system.
 Increased safety
 Air traffic control requirements
 All weather operation
 Reduction in fuel consumption
 Improved aircraft performance and control and handling and
reduction in maintenance costs

5. Define the usage of avionics in space systems / advantages of using avionics in

space systems.
 Fly-by-wire control systems were used for vehicle attitude and
translation control.
 Sensors used around the aircraft for data acquisition.
 Redundancy system and autopilot.
 On board computers used in satellites for processing.

6. What are the types of integrated avionics system?

There are three types of integrated system,
 Cockpit integrated system
 Sensor integrated system
 Control integrated system

7. Give the few examples of IAS (integrated avionics system) used in weapon system.
1. SONAR 2.RADAR 3.Military Communication 4.ECM 5.ESM

8. Explain the steps involved in design of avionics system.

There are three stages:
 Conceptual design - What will it do?
 Preliminary design - How much will it weigh?
 Detailed design - How many parts will it have?

9. Give the various systems where the avionics used in aircraft.

 Aircraft intercommunication
 Wide Area Augmentation System
 Terrain awareness and warning system
 Ground proximity warning system
 Aircraft collision avoidance systems
 Display systems
 Traffic Collision Avoidance System

10. What are the “illities” of Avionics system? (or) What are major drivers for
avionics in civil transport aircraft?
1. Capability, 2. Reliability, 3. Maintainability, 4. Availability,
5. Certificability, 6. Survivability, 7. Life cycle cost (military) or cost of ownership
(civil),8. Technical risk 9. Weight & power

11 Define ISS (Inertial Sensor System)

It provides the information on aircraft attitude and the direction in which it is
heading which is essential information for the pilot in executing a maneuver or flying in
conditions of poor visibility, flying in clouds or at night.Accurate attitude and heading
information are also required for the autopilot and the navigation system and weapon
aiming in the case of a military aircraft.

12 What are the types of DR system?

The main types of DR navigation systems used in aircraft are:
(a) Inertial navigation systems. The most accurate and widely used systems.
(b) Doppler/heading reference systems. These are widely used in helicopters.
(c) Air data/heading reference systems. These systems are mainly used as
diversionary navigation system being of lower accuracy than (a) or (b).
13 Name the any four recent advance technology / advances in avionics.
1. TTNT= Tactical Targeting and Network Technology
2. AESA= Advanced Electronically Steered Array
3. Flight Path Management
4. Pilot/Vehicle Interface

14. What is FMS?

A Flight Management System is a fundamental part of a modern aircraft in that it
controls the navigation. The flight management system (FMS) is the avionics that holds the
flight plan, and allows the pilot to modify as required in flight. The FMS uses various sensors
to determine the aircraft's position. Given the position and the flight plan, the FMS guides
the aircraft along the flight plan. The FMS is normally controlled through a small screen and
a keyboard.

15. Give few examples of Standards used in design of avionics system.

Military standards - MIL-STD-1629A (Hardware FMEA), MILSTD-882
(systems safety program requirements)
ARINC 429, 629 (Civilian aircraft data bus) and MIL-STD-1553A, 1773 (Military
aircraft data buses)
Civil Standards - FAR 25 : 1309 A (equipments, systems and installation),FAR 25 :
581 (lightning protection systems), FAR 25 : 571(Control systems),FAR 25: 572 (stability
augmentation systems).

16. Give few examples of integrated avionics system used in civil airlines.
 INS & GPS (Navigation)
 MFKs and MFDU (Display I/O)
 HUD
 Glass Cockpit

17. List the Air data quantities to be measured for avionics navigation control system.
Air Data Quantities are,
 Altitude
 Calibrated Airspeed
 Vertical speed
 True Airspeed
 Mach Number
 Airstream Incidence Angle.

18. Explain Reliability.

• The idea that something is fit for purpose with respect to time;
• The capacity of a device or system to perform as designed;
• The resistance to failure of a device or system;
• The ability of a device or systemto perform a required function understated conditions for a specified
period of time;
• The probability that a functional unit will perform its required function for a specified interval under
stated conditions.
• The ability of something to "fail well" (fail without catastrophic consequences)

19. Explain maintainability.

 The probability that a failed system can be made operable in a specified interval or downtime is
called as maintainability.

20. Explain FBW control system. :

** Enables a lighter, higher performance aircraft designed with relaxed stability
** Good consistent handling which is sensibly constant over a wide flight envelope and range of load
conditions
** Continuous automatic stabilization of the aircraft by computer control of the control surfaces
** Auto pilot integration
** Care free maneuvering characteristics
** Ability to integrate additional controls automatically such as
** Leading edge slats/flaps and trailing edge flaps to generate additional lift
** Variable wing sweep
** Thrust vector control nozzles and engine thrust
** Elimination of mechanical controls runs – friction, backlash
** Small control stick
** Ability to exploit aerodynamically unstable configuration
** Aerodynamics versus stealth – the concept of reducing the radar cross section
** Very high integrity, a failure survival system.

21. What do you mean by House keeping management?

The term ‘house keeping’ management has been used to cover the automation of the
background tasks which are essential for the aircraft’s safe and efficient operation
Such tasks include :
** Fuel management
** Electrical power supply system management
** Cabin/cockpit pressurization systems
** Environmental control system
** Warning systems
** Maintenance and monitoring systems.

22. What is the function of inertial sensor systems? : What are the various inertial sensor systems used
in aircraft?:
They provide attitude and heading information which are essential for a/c mission.
Various inertial sensor systems are :
** Gyros – mechanical – electromechanical – RLG-FOG
** Accelerometer, ** AHRS(Attitude Heading Reference Systems)
** Strap Down, ** Gimballed systems

Part-B(13 Marks)
1. i) Explain the need of avionics in Civil and military aircrafts.
ii) Explain few Integrated Avionics system and weapon system.
2. i) What are the major design drivers for avionics system?
ii) Describe the various ‘illities‘ in Avionics systems.
3. With a neat block diagram explain the integration of different avionics system.
4. i) Explain clearly the top down design procedure that is adopted in Avionics system design
ii) List the factor on which Avionics design is evaluated and explain each factor in brief
5. Explain the various layers of Avionics systems used in a typical airplane with a neat sketch.
6. Explain the design and technologies involved in avionics system and the standards used for it
 UNIT II DIGITAL AVIONICS BUS ARCHITECTURE
Part-A(2 Marks)

1. Give few avionics architecture.

• First Generation Architecture ( 1940‘s –1950‘s)
i. Disjoint or Independent Architecture ( MiG-21)ii. Centralized Architecture (F-111)
• Second Generation Architecture ( 1960‘s –1970‘s)
i. Federated Architecture (F-16 A/B)ii. Distributed Architecture (DAIS)iii. Hierarchical Architecture
(F-16 C/D, EAP)
• Third Generation Architecture ( 1980‘s –1990‘s)
i. Pave Pillar Architecture ( F-22)
• Fourth Generation Architecture (Post 2005)
i. Pave Pace Architecture- JSFii. Open System Architecture

2. Explain Federated architecture.

In FEDERATED ARCHITECTURE Data conversion occurs at the system level and the datas are send
as digital form called Digital Avionics Information Systems (DAIS). Several standard data processors
are often used to perform a variety of Low Bandwidth functions such as navigation, weapon
delivery,stores management and flight control Systems are connected in a Time Shared Multiplex
Highway.Resource sharing occurs at the last link in the information chain via controls and displays.

3. Explain centralized architecture.

As the digital technology evolved, a central computer was added to integrate the information from the
sensors and subsystems. The central computing complex is connected to other subsystems and sensors
through analog, digital, synchronous and other interfaces. When interfacing with computer a variety of
different transmission methods, some of which required signal conversion (A/D) when interfacing with
computer. Signal conditioning and computation take place in one or more computers in a LRU locate
din an avionics bay,with signals transmitted over one way data bus. Data are transmitted from the
systems to the central computer and the DATA CONVERSION TAKES PLACE AT THE
CENTRALCOMPUTER.

4. How is federated architecture different from centralized architecture?

In FEDERATED ARCHITECTURE Data conversion occurs at the system level and the data are send
as digital form called Digital Avionics Information Systems (DAIS). It is fully digital. In centralized
architecture Data conversion takes place at the central computer. Analog wires are used.

5. Explain MIL-STD 1553B components?

• BUS CONTROLLER• BUS MONITOR
• REMOTE TERMINAL• TRANSMISSION MEDIA

6. Explain the status word of MIL-STD 1553B.

Status words are transmitted by the RT in response to command messages from the BC and consist of:
• 3 bit-time sync pattern (same as for a command word)
• 5 bit address of the responding RT
• 11 bit status field
• 1 parity check bit.
The 11 bits in the status field are used to notify the BC of the operating condition of the RT and
subsystem.

7. Explain the bus controller and Remote terminal of MIL-STD 1553B.

There is only one Bus Controller at a time on any MIL-STD-1553 bus. It initiates all message
communication over the bus. A Remote Terminal can be used to provide:
• An interface between the MIL-STD-1553B data bus and an attached subsystem
• A bridge between a MIL-STD-1553B bus and another MIL-STD-1553B bus.

8. Explain ARINC 429 standard.

ARINC 429 is the technical standard for the predominant avionics data bus used on most higher-end
commercial and transport aircraft. It defines the physical and electrical interfaces of a two-wire data bus
and a data protocol to support an aircraft's avionics local area network.

9. Explain ARINC 629 standard.

ARINC 629 is a multi-transmitter protocol where many units share the same bus. It was a further
development of ARINC 429 especially designed for the Boeing 777

10. Differentiate between ARINC 429 and ARINC 629

S.No MIL-STD-1553 A ARINC 429 ARINC 629

01 Adopted in 1970 Adopted in1977 dopted in 1989 11.
02 Half duplex data bus Simplex data bus Duplex data bus
03 SPEED1 Mb/s SPEED Critical data100 SPEED 2 Mb/s
Kb/s Non critical data 12-
14.5Kb/s
04 Command/Response prot Williamsburg protocol Protocol: CSMA/CA Carrier
ocol sense multiple access/
Collision avoidance
05 Called as Digital Time Called as Digital Data Called as DATAC- Digital
Division Compendium Autonomous Terminal
Command/Response AccessControl
Multiplex Data bus
06 31 RTs can be accessed - -
What is an auto pilot?
An autopilot is a mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic system used to guide a vehicle without assistance
from a human being. Most people understand an autopilot to refer specifically to aircraft, but self-
steering gear for ships, boats, space craft and missiles are sometimes also called by this term.

12. What is brick walling or partitioning in avionics architecture?

The purpose of partitioning is fault containment: a failure in one partition must not propagate to cause
failure in another partition. The function in a partition depends on the correct operation of its processor
and associated peripherals, and partitioning is not intended to protect against their failure this can be
achieved only by replicating functions across multiple processors in a fault-tolerant manner.

13. Define Glass cockpit.

A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit that features electronic instrument displays. Where a traditional
cockpit relies on numerous mechanical gauges to display information, a glass cockpit uses several
displays driven by flight management systems,that can be adjusted to display flight information as
needed. This simplifies aircraft operation and navigation and allows pilots to focus only on the
most pertinent information. They are also popular with airline companies as they usually eliminate the
need for a flight engineer. In recent years the technology has become widely available in small aircraft.

Part-B
 1. Discuss the various avionics architecture in detail
2. Explain the ARINC 429 data bus in detail.
3. Explain the ARINC 629 data bus in detail.
4. Explain the ARINC 664 data bus in detail.
5. Explain the ARINC 818 data bus in detail.
6. Explain MIL STD 1553 B data bus in detail bring out clearly the bus architecture, protocol,
word and message formats and coupling methods.
7. Explain MIL STD 1773 B data bus in detail bring out clearly the bus architecture, protocol, word
and message formats and coupling methods.
8. i) List the evolution of avionics architecture starting from first generation to fourth
generation.
ii) Describe in detail about one of the third generation Avionics Architecture with block
schematics.
9. Describe in detail about one of the second generation Avionics Architecture with block
schematics.

UNIT III COCKPIT DISPLAYS AND MAN-MACHINE INTERACTION

Part-A(2 Marks)
1. Define plasma panel.
A plasma display panel (PDP) is a type of flat panel display common to large TV displays (32" inches
or larger). Many tiny cells between two panels of glass hold a mixture of noble gases. The gas in the
cells is electrically turned into a plasma which then excites phosphors to emit light.

2. Differentiate LED & LCD.

LEDs are based on the semiconductor diode. When the diode is forward biased (switched on),
electrons are able to recombine with holes and energy is released in the form of light. This effect is
electroencephalographic and the color of the light is determined by the energy gap of the
semiconductor.LEDs present many advantages over traditional light sources including lower energy
consumption,longer lifetime, improved robustness, smaller size and faster switching. However, they are
relatively expensive and require more precise current and heat management than traditional light
sources.A liquid crystal display (LCD) is a thin, flat panel used for electronically displaying
information such as text, images, and moving pictures Among its major features are its
lightweight construction,
its portability, and its ability to be produced in much larger screen sizes than are practical for the
construction of cathode ray tube (CRT) display technology. Its low electrical power consumption
enables it to be used in battery-powered electronic equipment. It is an electronically-modulated optical
device made up of any number of pixels filled with liquid crystals and arrayed in front of a light
source(backlight) or reflector to produce images in color or monochrome.

3. Explain CRT and its usage in aircraft displays

.The cathode ray tube (CRT) is a vacuum tube containing an electron gun (a source of electrons) and
fluorescent screen, with internal or external means to accelerate and deflect the electron beam, used to
create images in the form of light emitted from the fluorescent screen.

4. What is meant by DVI?

The Digital Visual Interface (DVI) is a video interface standard designed to provide very high visual
quality on digital display devices such as flat panel LCD computer displays and digital projectors.It was
developed by an industry consortium, the Digital Display Working Group (DDWG). It is designed for
carrying uncompressed digital video data to a display.

5. What are MFD and its significance in Aircraft?

A Multi-function display (MFD) is a small screen (CRT or LCD) in an aircraft surrounded by multiple
buttons that can be used to display information to the pilot in numerous configurable ways.Often an
MFD will be used in concert with a Primary Flight Display. MFDs are part of the digital era of modern
planes or helicopter. The first MFD were introduced by air forces. The advantage of an MFDover
analog display is that an MFD does not consume much space in the cockpit. Many MFDs allow
the pilot to display their navigation route, moving map, weather radar, NEXRAD, GPWS, TCAS and
airport information all on the same screen.

6. What is HOTAS?
HOTAS, an abbreviation for Hands On Throttle-And-Stick, is the name given to the concept of placing
buttons and switches on the throttle stick and flight control stick in an aircraft's cockpit, allowing the
pilot to access vital cockpit function sand fly the aircraft without having to remove his hands from the
throttle and flight controls. Having all switches on the stick and throttle allows the pilot to keep his
"hands on throttle-and-stick", thus allowing him to remain focused on more important duties than
looking for controls in the cockpit.

7. Explain HUD?A head-up display, or abbreviated as HUD, is any transparent display that presents
data without requiring the user to look away from his or her usual viewpoint. The origin of the name
stems from the user being able to view information with his head "up" and looking forward, instead of
angled down looking at lower instruments. Although they were initially developed for military aviation,
HUDs are now used in commercial aircraft, automobiles, and other applications.

8. Explain advantage of EL over Plasma display.

• Less flickering
• Sustainable luminosity even during aging
• Light weight than plasma displays
• Simple light weight component
• Available in smaller size (unlike plasma displays, which are available only at 32‖)

9. Explain the advantage of HMD over MUD?

• In HMD the gimbaled sensors enables the pilot to watch critical data in the helmet in the directions
through which he/she moves/looks, thus facilitating him/her to watch the primary data always.
• HMD display formats are very similar to those of HUDs except for the addition of helmet-pointing
azimuth and elevation information and vectors showing where the last target of interest was prior to
looking down into the cockpit or searching for another target.

10. Explain MFK and its usage.

• As the cockpits of modern aircraft have more controls jammed into them, the point reached where
there is no more space. Multi function keyboards(MFKs) offer a very attractive solution to this space
problem wherein a single panel of switches performs a variety of functions depending on the phase of
the mission or the keyboard menu selected.
• Multi function keyboards can be implemented in several ways. The first two ways use LEDs or LCDs
in panels in a central location. Designs using LEDs have arrays (typically ranging from five rows of
three switches to seven rows of five switches) of standard sized push button switches with legends built
into the surface of the switches.
11. What are the main characteristics of touch screens?
** Fully Connected Speech
** Must Be Able to Operate in the Cockpit Environment
** Vocabulary size – required size is around 200-300 words
** Speech template duration – Speech Template Duration is around 5 Seconds
** Vocabulary duration – Maximum duration of the total vocabulary is around 160 seconds
** Syntax nodes – max. no. of syntax nodes required is 300
** Duration of utterance – no restriction on the max. duration of an input utterance
** Recognition response time – this must be in real time.

Part-B(13 Marks)
1. i) Compare and contrast the display technologies CRT,LED,LCD,EL and plasma panel
ii) What are the various types of CRTs used in civil and military aircraft and explain them in
detail.
2. a) Explain the basic principle of HUD and what are its limitations? How are they overcome in
HMD?
b) What are special features of DVI?
3. a) Describe the layout of a cockpit
b) Describe voice recognition & speech synthesis technology.
4. Explain MFKs, HMD, HUD and HDD in detail.
5. Brief about EL and Plasma panel.
6. List various types of touch screen panels and write short notes on all the types.

Unit-IV FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS

Part-A(2 Maarks)
1. What is Flight control system?An aircraft flight control system consists of flight control surfaces,
the respective cockpit controls, connecting linkages, and the necessary operating mechanisms to control
an aircraft's direction in flight. Aircraft engine controls are also considered as flight controls as they
change speed.

2. What is Actuator?An actuator is a mechanical device for moving or controlling a mechanism or

system. An actuator typically is a mechanical device that takes energy, usually created by air,
electricity, or liquid, and converts that into some kind of motion.

3. Explain different types of actuator.

• plasma actuators
• pneumatic actuators
• electric actuators
• hydraulic cylinders, • linear actuators

4. What is FBW?A fly-by-wire system actually replaces manual control of the aircraft with an
electronic interface. The movements of flight controls are converted to electronic signals, and flight
control computers determine how to move the actuators at each control surface to provide the expected
response. The actuators are usually hydraulic, but electric actuators have also been used.

5. Explain the advantage of FBW over conventional FCS.

• Care free maneuvering characteristics
• Continuous automatic stabilization of the aircraft by computer control of the control surfaces
• Auto pilot integration• Good consistent handling which is sensibly constant over a wide flight
 envelope and range of load conditions
• Enables a lighter, higher performance aircraft designed with relaxed stability

6. What is FMS?
A Flight Management System is a fundamental part of a modern aircraft in that it controls the
navigation. The flight management system (FMS) is the avionics that holds the flight plan, and allows
the pilot to modify as required in flight. The FMS uses various sensors to determine the aircraft's
position. Given the position and the flight plan, the FMS guides the aircraft along the flight plan. The
FMS is normally controlled through a small screen and a keyboard.

7. Give the difference between ECCM and ECM.Electronic countermeasures (ECM) are
a subsection of electronic warfare which includes any sort of electrical or electronic device designed to
trick or deceive radar, sonar, or other detection systems like IR (infrared) and Laser. It may be used
both offensively or defensively in any method to deny targeting information to an enemy.

The system may make many separate targets appear to the enemy, or make the real target appear
to disappear or move about randomly. It is used effectively to protect aircraft from guided missiles.
Most air forces use ECM to protect their aircraft from attack.Electronic counter-countermeasures
(ECCM) is a part of electronic warfare which includes a variety of practices which attempt to reduce or
eliminate the effect of electronic countermeasures (ECM) on electronic sensors aboard vehicles, ships
and aircraft and weapons such as missiles. ECCM is also known as electronic protective measures
(EPM), chiefly in Europe. In practice, EPM often means resistance to jamming.

8. Explain RADAR.
Radar is an object detection system that uses electromagnetic waves to identify the range, altitude,
direction, or speed of both moving and fixed objects such as aircraft, ships, motor vehicles, weather
formations, and terrain. The term Radar was coined in 1941 as an acronym for RAdio Detection And
Ranging. A radar system has a transmitter that emits microwaves or radio waves. These waves are in
phase when emitted, and when they come into contact with an object are scattered in all directions. The
signal is thus partly reflected back and it has as light change of wavelength (and thus frequency) if the
target is moving.Although the signal returned is usually very weak, the signal can be amplified through
use of electronic techniques in the receiver and in the antenna configuration. This enables radar
to detect objects at ranges where other emissions, such as sound or visible light, would be too weak to
detect.

9. Explain Electronic warfare.

Electronic warfare (EW) refers to any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum
or directed energy to control the spectrum or to attack the enemy. The purpose of electronic warfare is
to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly unimpeded access to, the EM spectrum. EW
can be applied from air, sea, land, and space by manned and unmanned systems, and can target
communication, radar, or other services. EW includes three major subdivisions: Electronic Attack (EA),
Electronic Protection (EP), and Electronic warfare Support (ES).

10. Explain FBW over FBL.

• FBW: (FLY BY WIRE) It‘s a concept of utilizing digital data
bus for the transmission of mechanical movements from pilot‘s joystick to the Mechanical actuators
near by the control surface in the form of electronic signals using suitable transducers. It eliminates
majority of the weight in handling control rods, push pull systems. Because of this weight elimination
the redundancy level of FBW can be raised.
• FBL: (FLY BY LIGHT) It‘s a concept of utilizing optic fiber cables for the transmission of
mechanical movements from pilot‘s joystick to the mechanical actuators near by the control surface
in the form of monochromatic light signals using suitable transducers. It eliminates the amplification
units, filter circuits, modulator units etc., which are at high redundant levels in the FBW. FBL is more
reliable and the signals passing through the fiber optic cable never degrade and hence it contributes
further low weight in the aircraft

11. What is FBL?

• FBL: (FLY BY LIGHT) It‘s a concept of utilizing optic fiber cables for
the transmission of mechanical movements from pilot‘s joystick to the
mechanical actuators near by the control surface in the form of monochromatic light signals using
suitable transducers. It eliminates the amplification units, filter circuits, modulator units etc., which are
at high redundant levels in the FBW. FBL is more reliable and the signals passing through the fiber
optic cable never degrade and hence it contributes further low weight in the aircraft.

12. Define Certification.

Certification refers to the confirmation of certain characteristics of an object, person, or organization.
This confirmation is often, but not always, provided by some form of external review, education, or
assessment.

13. Write about V & V :Verification and validation is the process of checking that a product, service,
or system meets specifications and that it fulfills its intended purpose. These are critical components of
a quality management system such as ISO 9000. Sometimes preceded with"Independent" (or IV&V) to
ensure the validation is performed by a disinterested third party.

14. Explain the document support for Certification.

• In Military aircrafts, the documents support for certification
i. MIL-STD-1629A (Hardware) ii. DOD-STD-2167 (Software)
• In Civil aircrafts, the document support for certification
o FAR 25 : 1309A (systems)o RTCA-DO-178A (Software)Within the overall task of hardware
assessment and validation,certification is perhaps the most difficult part for civil/military avionics
designers. Certification is the challenging process of negotiation and compromise between the
designers and the regulatory authorities buttressed by technical analysis and expertise on both sides.

15. Explain Write down the steps of certification.

• Assessment• Validation
• Verification Other major steps like
• Functional Hazard Assessment (FHA)
• Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)
• Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA)

Part-B(13 Marks)
1. What is FBW explain its salient features with the block diagram in comparison with the
conventional flight control system.
2. What is FBL and explain its salient features with block diagram in comparison with FBW.
3. a) what is the need for a communication system in aircraft?
b) Explain one of the most modern reliable communication systems used in aircraft with a block
schematic.
4. Explain Conventional Flight control system and advantage of FBW to overcome the disadvantage of
Conventional FCS
5. With neat diagram explain the Flight management system.
6. Explain in detail about Radar Electronic war fare and its salient features and its usage.
7. Explain Certification and explain the various steps involved in certification of avionics system.
8. Write in detail about longitudinal/lateral flight control system.
9. What is the necessity for Flight planning and brief about flight planning
10. With necessary diagram explain about autopilot system

UNIT V NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

Part-A(2MArks)
1. Define Navigation.
Navigation is the process of reading, and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one
place to another. It is also the term of art used for the specialized knowledge used by navigators to
perform navigation tasks. The word navigate is derived from the Latin "navigare", meaning "to sail".All
navigational techniques involve locating the navigator's position compared to known locations or
patterns

2. Give the types of Navigation.

• Dead reckoning
• Navigation by Piloting
• Celestial navigation
• Electronic navigation

3. What is Dead reckoning type of navigation?

Dead reckoning (DR) is the process of estimating one's current position based upon a previously
determined position, or fix, and advancing that position based upon known or estimated speeds over
elapsed time, and course. While traditional methods of dead reckoning are no longer considered
primary means of navigation,modern inertial navigation systems, which also depend upon dead
reckoning, are very widely used.

4. What is INS?
An Inertial Navigation System (INS) is a navigation aid that uses a computer,motion
sensors (accelerometer) and rotation sensors (gyroscopes) to continuously calculate via dead
reckoning the position, orientation, and velocity(direction and speed of movement) of a moving
object without the need for external references. It is used on vehicles such as ships, aircraft,
submarines,guided missiles, and spacecraft.

5. What are different types of INS?

It is of two different configurations based on the inertial sensor placement. Theyare a. Stable or
Gimballed platform. b. Strap down platform

6. What is GPS?
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S. space-based global navigation satellite system. It
provides reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services to worldwide users on a continuous basis
in all weather, day and night, anywhere on or near the Earth. GPS is made up of three parts:
between 24 and 32 satellites orbiting the Earth, four control and monitoring stations on Earth, and the
GPS receivers owned by users. GPS satellites broadcast signals from space that are used by GPS
receivers to provide three-dimensional location (latitude, longitude,and altitude) plus the time.

7. What is strap down Navigation?

 Strap down systems have all their sensors mounted on a platform that changes orientation like the
plane. Instead of mechanical gyros to hold it level, it has three more accurate gyros that sense the
orientation of the system.Additionally, it has the same three acceleration sensors. Whereas the gimbals
system just senses the orientation of the platform to get the aircraft's attitude, the strap down systems
have three gyroscopes that sense the rate of roll, pitch, and yaw. It integrates them to get the orientation,
then calculates the acceleration in each of the same axes as the gimballed system. Due to the sensing of
the rate of rotation, rather than just holding a platform level, very accurate and sensitive gyroscopes are
needed.

8. Explain the specific advantages of INS.

• It is the self contained, autonomous and un jammable.
• It is faster than the data given by the GPS.
• INS is very accurate over the short distance.

9. Explain Gimbaled INS.

Gimbaled systems have a platform in the device that is mounted in gimbals. This device has 2 or
more mechanical gyroscopes (not likely there are more than 3)that keep this platform level. On the
platform, in addition to the gyroscopes, are usually three accelerometer, one in each direction. This was
the earlier type of INS. It does not need accurate gyroscope orientation sensing, they only need
mechanical gyroscopes to keep a platform level - a much less demanding task for the gyroscopes.
Additionally, since the accelerometer are already oriented(usually north/south, east/west, and up/down)
the actual integration to obtain velocity and then position can be done by simpler, analog electronics.

10. Explain the advantage of GPS over conventional navigation.

• Global coverage and assessment
• More precise
• High integrity and portable simple system
• Augments the accuracy of the self contained systems

10. Compare INS and GPS.

Sl. No. INS GPS01
Self contained system Not a self contained system

02 Accuracy degrades with time Accuracy level is high always

03 Being a self contained system, weight makeweight is less comparatively
04 No signal transmission/reception Signal is transmitted/received

12. Explain the need of communication system in airline.

• Renders a clear picture of aircrafts health during the complete mission
• Ensures safety landing and take-off guidance
• Provides suitable environment awareness to the crew members of flight to direct the flying machine
• Acts as primary interfacing unit between pilot and the ATC or ground station.

13.What are the different methods of navigation?

**Classic dead-reckoning navigation using air data and magnetic, together with Doppler or LORAN-C;
**Radio navigation using navigation aids – ground-based radio-frequency beacons and airborne
receiving and processing equipment;
**Barometric inertial navigation using a combination of air data and inertial navigation (IN) or
Doppler;
**Satellite navigation using a global navigation satellite system (GNSS), more usually a global
positioning system (GPS);
**Multiple-sensor navigation using a combination of all the above.

14. Explain briefly radio navigation.

The primary means of navigation over land was by means of radio navigation routes defined by VHF
omni ranging/distance measuring equipment (VOR/DME) beacons. By arranging the location of these
beacons at major navigation or crossing points, it was possible to construct an entire airway network
that could be used by the flight crew to define the aircraft flight from take-off to touchdown. Other
radio frequency aids include distance measuring equipment (DME) and non-distance beacons (NDB).

15. Describe briefly inertial navigation.

Using inertial navigation systems (INS), flight crew are able to navigate by autonomous means using an
on-board INS with inertial sensors. By aligning the platform to earth-referenced coordinates and present
position during initialization, it is possible to fly for long distances without relying upon LORAN,
VOR/DME or TACAN beacons. Waypoints could be specified in terms of latitude and longitude as
arbitrary points on the globe, more suited to the aircraft’s intended flight path rather than a specific
geographic feature or point in a radio beacon network.

PART B – (13 marks)

UNIT V NAVIGATION SYSTEMS
1 . What is navigation system and explain the various types of navigation with examples
2. Explain the operation of inertial navigation system and explain its two types of construction.
3. What is GPS and explain the working of it with codes of communication used for locating the
object.
4. What is Dead reckoning navigation system and explain any one type in detail.
5. Explain about GNSS system
6. Explain in detail about Flight landing system with necessary diagrams.