Unit -3

AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENTS
 Syllabus
• Inertial reference systems, attitude derivation. RMI, HSI, ADI Magnetic
• Heading Reference System (MHRS.); Outside world sensor systems:
• Radar systems - Radar Sensing - Radar Altimeter (RADALT), Doppler
• Radar, Weather Radar, RADOME, infrared systems, awacs, aircraft
• lighting, runway lighting system
 Summary
• In this chapter, we continue our exploration of avionics systems, focusing on the essential
instruments and technologies crucial for modern aircraft operation. We will be detailing world of
aviation electronics, explaining their important roles and functions within the aviation industry.
• We classified these systems into three main categories:
1. Navigation Systems:
• Inertial Reference Systems (IRS)
• Magnetic Heading Reference System (MHRS)
• Radio Magnetic Indicator (RMI)
• Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI)
• Attitude Director Indicator (ADI)
 Summary (cont.)
2. Sensing Systems:
• Radar Altimeter (RADALT)
• Doppler Radar
• Weather Radar
• Infrared Systems
3. Communication Systems:
• AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System)
4. Lighting Systems:
• Aircraft Lighting
• Runway Lighting System
 Navigation Systems in Aviation
• Navigation holds paramount importance in aviation, serving as the
guiding force for aircraft across the expansive Indian skies. In a region
where landmarks might be scarce and weather conditions unpredictable,
robust navigation systems become indispensable. These systems offer
pilots precise position data, allowing them to chart their course, navigate
safely around obstacles, and ensure efficient journeys to their destinations.
Let's delve into the vital navigation systems crucial for seamless and
secure flight operations.
 Assessment of Navigation Systems
In this section, we evaluate the navigation systems based on their purpose and intended
use. We classify these systems into the following categories:
• Primary Navigation Systems:
• Inertial Reference Systems (IRS)
• Magnetic Heading Reference System (MHRS)
• Secondary Navigation Systems:
• Radio Magnetic Indicator (RMI)
• Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI)
• Attitude Director Indicator (ADI)
Primary and Secondary Navigation Systems
Primary and secondary navigation systems play distinct roles in guiding aircraft
through the skies.
• Primary Navigation Systems:
• These are the core systems relied upon for determining the aircraft's position and direction.
• Inertial Reference Systems (IRS) provide continuous updates on the aircraft's position,
orientation, and velocity by measuring accelerations and integrating them over time.
• Magnetic Heading Reference System (MHRS) determines the aircraft's magnetic heading
using magnetic sensors and provides accurate heading information crucial for navigation
and flight control.
 Primary and Secondary Navigation Systems
(cont.)
• Secondary Navigation Systems:
• These systems complement primary navigation systems and provide additional situational awareness
to the pilot.
• Examples include Radio Magnetic Indicator (RMI), Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI), and
Attitude Director Indicator (ADI).
• RMI indicates the relative bearing to the selected navigational station by comparing the aircraft's
magnetic heading with the station's magnetic bearing.
• HSI integrates data from multiple sources to display the aircraft's position and direction relative to
the ground.
• ADI displays the aircraft's attitude with respect to the horizon, aiding in flight control and navigation.
 Primary Navigation Systems
• Primary navigation systems are the cornerstone of aircraft navigation, providing essential data for precise positioning
and direction. Let's explore the primary navigation systems commonly found on aircraft:
• Inertial Reference Systems (IRS):
• IRS provides continuous updates on the aircraft's position, orientation, and velocity by measuring accelerations and integrating them over
time.
• It operates independently of external references, making it particularly useful in areas where other navigation aids may be limited or
unavailable.
• Magnetic Heading Reference System (MHRS):
• MHRS determines the aircraft's magnetic heading using magnetic sensors and provides accurate heading information crucial for
navigation and flight control.
• It ensures the aircraft maintains the correct heading, especially during flight operations where magnetic compasses may be subject to
errors.
• These two primary navigation systems form the backbone of aircraft navigation, ensuring safe and efficient airborne
operations. Let's delve into each system's operation and capabilities.
 Inertial Reference Systems (IRS)
• The Inertial Reference System (IRS) is a crucial component of aircraft navigation, providing continuous updates on the
aircraft's position, orientation, and velocity.
•
Slide 7: Title: Inertial Reference Systems (IRS) Subtitle: Navigating Independently with Precision Image: Illustration
depicting an inertial reference system
• Brief Description: The Inertial Reference System (IRS) is a critical component of aircraft navigation, providing
continuous updates on the aircraft's position, orientation, and velocity. Let's delve deeper into the intricate operation of
the IRS:
• Principle:
• IRS operates based on the principles of inertial navigation, which relies on accelerometers and gyroscopes to measure changes in
velocity and orientation.
• Accelerometers detect changes in acceleration along each axis, providing velocity data.
• Gyroscopes measure changes in orientation by detecting the rotation of the aircraft around its axes.
 Inertial Reference Systems (IRS) (Cont.)
• Working:
• The IRS integrates acceleration and rotation data over time to calculate the aircraft's position and velocity.
• Initially, the IRS is aligned with known reference points on the ground or celestial objects to establish its
initial position.
• As the aircraft moves, the IRS continuously updates its position based on the accumulated acceleration and
rotation data.
• Components:
• Accelerometers: Measure linear acceleration along each axis.
• Gyroscopes: Measure angular velocity around each axis.
• Computer System: Processes sensor data and calculates the aircraft's position and velocity.
Accelerometer in Inertial Reference Systems
• Accelerometers are essential components of the Inertial Reference System (IRS), responsible for
measuring linear acceleration along each axis of the aircraft.
• Principle:
• Accelerometers operate based on the principle of inertia, where changes in velocity induce proportional forces
on a mass.
• When the aircraft accelerates or decelerates along a particular axis, the accelerometer detects the
corresponding force and converts it into acceleration data.
• Working:
• Accelerometers consist of a mass suspended by springs or other mechanisms, with sensors detecting the
displacement of the mass caused by acceleration.
• Changes in displacement are converted into electrical signals, which are processed by the IRS computer
system to calculate the aircraft's linear acceleration along each axis.
 Gyroscope in Inertial Reference Systems
• Gyroscopes are vital components of the Inertial Reference System (IRS), responsible for measuring
angular velocity around each axis of the aircraft.
• Principle:
• Gyroscopes operate based on the principle of gyroscopic precession, where a spinning mass resists changes in its
orientation.
• When the aircraft rotates around a particular axis, the gyroscope experiences a torque proportional to the rotation rate,
allowing it to measure angular velocity.
• Working:
• Gyroscopes typically consist of a spinning rotor mounted on gimbals, allowing it to freely rotate around one or more axes.
• Changes in the orientation of the aircraft cause the gyroscope to precess, generating electrical signals proportional to the
angular velocity.
• These signals are processed by the IRS computer system to calculate the aircraft's angular velocity around each axis.