Design and Development of Aircraft Systems

About the Authors xii; Author's Preface xiii; Acknowledgements xiv; Glossary of Terms xv; Chapter 1 - Introduction 1; 1.1 General 1; 1.2 System concepts 2; 1.3 Skills 4; 1.4 Overview 5; References 6; Further reading 7; Chapter 2 - The Aircraft Systems 9; 2.1 Introduction 9; 2.2 Definitions 9; 2.3 Everyday examples of systems 10; 2.4 Aircraft systems of interest 13; 2.4.1 Airframe systems 13; 2.4.2 Vehicle systems 14; 2.4.3 Avionics systems 16; 2.4.4 Mission systems 17; 2.5 Generic system definition 17; References 20; Further reading 20; Chapter 3 - The Design and Development Process 21; 3.1 Introduction 21; 3.2 Definitions 22; 3.3 The product life cycle 23; 3.4 Concept phase 26; 3.4.1 Engineering process 26; 3.4.2 Engineering skills 28; 3.5 Definition phase 28; 3.5.1 Engineering process 28; 3.5.2 Engineering skills 29; 3.6 Design phase 32; 3.6.1 Engineering process 33; 3.6.2 Engineering skills 33; 3.7 Build phase 33; 3.7.1 Engineering process 33; 3.7.2 Engineering skills 34; 3.8 Test phase 34; 3.8.1 Engineering process 34; 3.8.2 Engineering skills 35; 3.9 Operate phase 35; 3.9.1 Engineering process 35; 3.9.2 Engineering skills 36; 3.10 Disposal or refurbish phase 36; 3.10.1 Engineering process 37; 3.10.2 Engineering skills 37; 3.11 Whole life cycle tasks 37; References 38; Further reading 38; Chapter 4 - Design Drivers 39; 4.1 Introduction 39; 4.2 Design drivers in the business environment 40; 4.2.1 Customer 42; 4.2.2 Market and competition 42; 4.2.3 Defence policy 42; 4.2.4 Leisure and business interests 43; 4.2.5 Politics 43; 4.2.6 Technology 43; 4.3 Design drivers in the project environment 44; 4.3.1 Standards and regulations 45; 4.3.2 Availability 45; 4.3.3 Cost 46; 4.3.4 Programme 46; 4.3.5 Performance 46; 4.3.6 Skills and resources 47; 4.3.7 Health, safety and environmental issues 47; 4.3.8 Risk 48; 4.4 Design drivers in the product environment 48; 4.4.1 Functional performance 49; 4.4.2 Human-machine interface 49; 4.4.3 Crew and passengers 49; 4.4.4 Stores and cargo 50; 4.4.5 Structure 50; 4.4.6 Safety 51; 4.4.7 Quality 51; 4.4.8 Environmental conditions 51; 4.5 Drivers in the product operating environment 52; 4.5.1 Heat 52; 4.5.2 Noise 52; 4.5.3 Radio frequency radiation 53; 4.5.4 Solar energy 54; 4.5.5 Altitude 54; 4.5.6 Temperature 55; 4.5.7 Contaminants/destructive substances 55; 4.5.8 Lightning 55; 4.5.9 Nuclear, biological and chemical 56; 4.5.10 Vibration 56; 4.5.11 Shock 56; 4.6 Interfaces with the subsystem environment 57; 4.6.1 Physical interfaces 57; 4.6.2 Power interfaces 57; 4.6.3 Data communication interfaces 58; 4.6.4 Input/output interfaces 58; 4.6.5 Status/discrete data 59; References 59; Further reading 59; Chapter 5 - Systems Architectures 61; 5.1 Introduction 61; 5.2 Definitions 62; 5.3 Systems architectures 63; 5.3.1 General systems 66; 5.3.2 Avionic systems 66; 5.3.3 Mission systems 66; 5.3.4 Cabin systems 66; 5.3.5 Data bus 66; 5.4 Architecture modelling and trade-off 68; 5.4.1 Example of a developing architecture 69; 5.5 Evolution of avionics architectures 70; 5.5.1 Distributed analogue architecture 72; 5.5.2 Distributed digital architecture 73; 5.5.3 Federated digital architecture 75; 5.5.4 Integrated modular architecture 77; References 79; Further reading 79; Chapter 6 - Systems Integration 81; 6.1 Introduction 81; 6.2 Definitions 83; 6.3 Examples of systems integration 83; 6.3.1 Integration at the component level 83; 6.3.2 Integration at the system level 83; 6.3.3 Integration at the process level 89; 6.3.4 Integration at the functional level 90; 6.3.5 Integration at the information level 93; 6.3.6 Integration at the prime contractor level 93; 6.4 Systems integration skills 94; 6.5 Management of systems integration 94; 6.5.1 Major activities 95; 6.5.2 Major milestones 95; 6.5.3 Decomposition and definition process 96; 6.5.4 Integration and verification process 96; 6.5.5 Product engineering 97; References 97; Chapter 7 - Verification of System Requirements 99; 7.1 Introduction 99; 7.2 Gathering verification evidence in the life cycle 100; 7.3 Modelling techniques 102; 7.3.1 Cognitive models 102; 7.3.2 Iconic models 103; 7.3.3 Mathematical models and simulations 104; 7.3.4 Test rigs 105; 7.3.5 Prototypes 107; 7.4 Modelling tools and their application 108; 7.4.1 Information models 108; 7.4.2 Three-dimensional modelling 109; 7.4.3 Environmental control system model using Flowmaster 109; 7.4.4 Tool capability 110; 7.4.5 ECS model outline 110; 7.4.6 Design considerations 110; 7.4.7 Operating conditions 111; 7.4.8 Components used 111; 7.4.9 Human-machine interface prototyping using VAPS 111; 7.4.10 Bond graphs 112; 7.4.11 Fuel system model using Simulink 112; 7.4.12 Model considerations 115; 7.5 Declaring verification 116; References 116; Further reading 116; Chapter 8 - Practical Considerations 117; 8.1 Introduction 117; 8.2 Identification of stakeholders 118; 8.3 Communications 119; 8.3.1 Nature of communication 119; 8.3.2 Examples of organization communication media 121; 8.3.3 Cost of poor communication 122; 8.3.4 A lesson learned 122; 8.4 Giving and receiving criticism 123; 8.4.1 Need for criticism in the design process 124; 8.4.2 Nature of criticism 124; 8.4.3 Behaviours associated with criticism 125; 8.4.4 Conclusions 126; 8.5 Supplier relationships 126; 8.6 Engineering judgement 127; 8.7 Complexity 128; 8.8 Emergent properties 128; References 130; Further reading 130; Chapter 9 - Configuration Control 131; 9.1 Introduction 131; 9.2 Configuration control process 131; 9.3 Simple portrayal of a system 132; 9.4 Varying system configurations 134; 9.4.1 System configuration A 134; 9.4.2 System configuration B 135; 9.4.3 System configuration C 136; 9.5 Forward and backward compatibility 137; 9.5.1 Forward compatibility 137; 9.5.2 Backward compatibility 138; 9.6 Factors affecting compatibility 138; 9.6.1 Hardware 139; 9.6.2 Software 139; 9.6.3 Wiring 140; 9.7 System evolution 140; Chapter 10 - Aircraft System Example 143; 10.1 Introduction 143; 10.2 Design considerations 144; 10.3 Safety and economic considerations 145; 10.4 Failure severity categorization 146; 10.5 Design assurance levels 147; 10.6 Integration of aircraft systems 148; 10.6.1 Engine control system 150; 10.6.2 Flight control system 151; 10.6.3 Attitude measurement system 151; 10.6.4 Air data system 152; 10.6.5 Electrical power system 153; 10.6.6 Hydraulic power system 154; 10.6.7 Integration of avionics systems 155; References 158; Chapter 11 - Conclusions 159; 11.1 A historical footnote 161; References 162; Appendix 162; The systems of an aircraft 162; References 183; Index 185