Fiber Optics:

A technology that uses glass or plastic threads (fiber) to transmit data. A fiber optic
consists of bundle of glass threads, each of which capable of transmitting message
on to light wave.
A thin glass fiber through which light can be transmitted.
Advantages:
Data can be transmitted digitally rather than analogically
Greater bandwidth than metal cable
Fiber optic cables are much thinner & lighter than the metal cable
Very high data rates can be supported
Freedom from electromagnetic interference
Significantly reduced noise
High reliability coupled
Disadvantages:
More expensive to install
Industry resistance to the introduction of new Technology
Need for a high degree of precision when fitting cables and connectors
Application of fiber optics in aircraft systems:
In telecommunication
Under sea communication
In Medical Field
In aircraft
In Aircraft:
Avionics platform
Ground based communication
Electrical equipment bay
Flight deck

Main component of fiber optics:

Fiber optics cable

Connectors
Adapter
Adapter panel
Patch cords
Cable assemblies

Coupler: A device that is used for connecting two terminals of optical fiber.

Fiber optic s data bus:

A data bus that consists of fiber optic cables & it interconnect the stations or
terminals.
Common type of display used in modern aircraft:
Cathode ray tubes (CRT)
Light emitting diodes (LED)
Liquid crystal displays (LCD)
CRT displays:
The cathode ray tube is the oldest display technology in current aircraft; the CRT offers a
number of significant advantages, including the ability to provide an extremely bright color
display which can be viewed over a wide range of angles.
The internal arrangement of a typical cathode ray tube is shown in Figure 11.3. The cathode,
heater, grid and anode assembly forms an electron gun which produces a beam of electrons
that is focused on the rear phosphor coating of the screen.
The heater raises the temperature of the cathode to emit the electron.
The flow of electrons is controlled by the grid.
The focus anodes consist of two or three tubular structures through which the electron beam
passes.

Figure 11.3 Internal arrangement of a CRT showing the path taken by the electron
beam

Note: CRT displays use an electron gun assembly to produce an accurately

focused beam of electrons which then impacts against a phosphor coated
screen.

Light emitting diodes (LED):

Light emitting diodes (LED) can be used as general-purpose indicators. When compared with
conventional filament lamps they operate from significantly smaller voltages and currents.
LEDs are also very much more reliable than filament lamps. Most LEDs will provide a

reasonable level of light output when a forward current of between 5 mA and 20 mA is

applied. Light emitting diodes are available in various formats with the round types being
most popular. Round LEDs are commonly available in the 3 mm and 5 mm (0.2 inch)
diameter plastic packages and also in a 5 mm 2 mm rectangular format.

Liquid crystal displays (LCD):

Liquid crystals have properties that can be considered to be somewhere between those of a
solid and those of a liquid. Solids have a rigid molecular structure whilst the molecules in
liquids change their orientation and are able to move. A particular property of liquid crystals
that makes them attractive for use as the basis of electronic displays is that the orientation
of molecules (and consequently the passage of light through the crystal) can be controlled
by the application of an electric field.
Types of LCD:
LCD displays can be either reflective or backlit according to whether the display uses
incident light or contains its own light source.

Passive matrix displays

Active matrix displays

Handling and transporting ESD:

1. Use of wrist straps which must be worn when handling ESD.

2. Use of heel straps which work in a similar manner to wrist straps
3. Use of static dissipative floor and bench mats
4. Avoidance of very dry environments
5. Availability of ground jacks
6. Use of grounded test equipment
7. Use of low-voltage soldering equipment and anti-static soldering stations
8. Use of anti-static insertion and removal tools for integrated circuits
9. Avoidance of nearby high-voltage sources
10. Use of anti-static packaging.

Note that there are three main classes of materials used for protecting static
sensitive
Devices. These are
conductive materials
static dissipative materials
anti-static materials

EMC Electron Magnetic Compatibility: is the term use to describe how a

device or system is able to function in an electromagnetic environment without
introducing electromagnetic disturbances.
Means nothing more than an electronic or electrical product shall work as intended
in its environment. The electronic or electrical product shall not generate
electromagnetic disturbances which may influence other product.
EMI Electron Magnetic Interference:
EMI is known as radio frequency Interference or RFI when in radio frequency. EMI Is
disturbance that affects electrical circuits due to either electromagnetic induction or
electromagnetic radiation emitted from external sources?

HIRF High intensity Radiated field

HIRF is refers to radio freq energy of strength sufficient to adversely affect either a
living organism or the performance of a device subjected to it. This action is
necessary to the vulnerability of a/c electrical & electronics system & the increasing
use of high power radio freq transmitter
Lightning protection
Is system used for preventing property damage from the effect of lightning strike? It
works by providing the electric charge produced by the clouds a path of least
resistance to the ground. There are four main parts of property installed lightning
protection system. They are copper air terminal, copper cable, copper clad ground
rods & surge suppressors
A typical lightning protection includes lightning rods, metal conductors, & ground
electrodes designed to offer a low resistance path to ground & to take any high
voltage currents from a lightning strike away from the structure of the building.

Instrument:
Measuring devices to enable the pilot in every time by the monitoring performance during A/C fly
Classification of instrument:
1. A/C flight instrument.
2. Engine instrument
3. Navigation instrument
4. Miscellaneous instrument

1.2
A/C flight instrument:
ASI, VSI, altimeter indicator, Attitude Indicator, Magnetic compass, HSI, turns& slip indicator)

Air Speed Indicator: It is used to indicate the air speed (in knot) relative to
surrounding air.
Vertical Speed Indicator: It is used to indicate the rate of climb or decent (in
feet/min.)
Altimeter Indicator: It is used to indicate the A/C height in feet.
Attitude indicator: It displays the A/C attitude relative to horizon.
Magnetic compass: It is used to indicate the A/C heading relative to magnetic
north.
Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI): It is used to display the A/C position to a
Navigation aid & showing its heading.
Turns & slip indicator: It is used to indicate the A/C direction & rate of turn.
1.3
Indication of aircrafts altitude, heading attitude & speed:

Figure: vertical speed indicator

Figure: Altimeter

Figure: airspeed indicator

Figure: magnetic compass

1.4

Figure: flight instrument and display layout

Cockpit layout:

Attitude direction indicator (ADI) , Airspeed indicator (ASI),Control and display unit (CDU), Electronic
attitude and direction indicator (EADI), Electronic centralized aircraft monitoring (ECAM),Electronic
flight instrument system (EFIS), Electronic horizontal situation indicator (EHSI), Engine indicating and
crew alerting system (EICAS),Flight director system (FDS), Flight instrument system (FIS), Flight
management computer (FMC), Flight management system (FMS ),Horizontal situation indicator (HIS),
Navigation display (ND),Primary flight display (PFD),Rate of climb/descent indicator (RCDI), Radio
magnetic indicator (RMI),Vertical speed indicator (VSI),Inertial reference system (IRS),Very high
frequency Omni-Range (VOR)