Avionics, systems design and simulation

The paper reviews the developments in avionics over the last seventy years, focusing on the impact of computer technology during the last ten years. The development of aircraft navigation systems is described, including present day satellite navigation and terrain reference navigation. The techniques used in aircraft displays are outlined including CRTs and LCDs and covering head up displays, helmet mounted displays and synthetic displays. The systems architecture which forms the basis of modem avionics is described, covering the major aircraft databuses in use including recent developments in integrated modular avionics. Developments in real-time software, which has become a major cost in many programmes, are covered, leading to the techniques used to ensure aircraft reliability, particularly fault tolerant architectures and also safety systems for health monitoring and recent research in ‘pilot associates'. The paper also summarises developments in flight control systems for both civil and military aircraft. The paper concludes with a brief review of future developments in avionics, speculating on the role of pilot in future aircraft.