With the expounded advantages of fibre optics for aircraft applications, one may ask why there are so few installed systems. This paper will attempt to deal with some of the practical problems associated with the installation of real fibre optic systems. It identifies the problem areas, both from the system designer's point of view and from the production and quality assurance view. A number of different systems are taken as examples for this analysis, and the areas where problems (and their solutions) have been encountered are highlighted. The aim is to provide an insight into some of the rather special problems which can be found when introducing this technology into a new environment. For instance, next generation aircraft will require much greater system fault tolerance and self diagnostic facilities than those currently in service. As fibre optic systems have subtly different failure characteristics to wire based systems, a level of built in test (BIT) is recommended in fibre based designs. Some examples are shown. The testing of the various elements of fibre optic systems are also discussed, not from a purely component level, but as seen by a systems engineer who must be certain that the various units, cables, couplers and connectors will eventually perform the function required of them. The paper concludes by recommending areas that need further investigation to ensure that fibre optics becomes an acceptable technology for aircraft applications.
Avionic fibre optics - fact or fiction?
Avionische Faseroptik - Tatsache oder Fiktion?
1990
11 Seiten, 4 Bilder, 1 Tabelle, 8 Quellen
Aufsatz (Konferenz)
Englisch
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