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Integrating Digital Avionics into Manufacturing and Depot Test

When building automated test sets (ATSs) for manufacturing or depot test, test engineers often overlook digital avionics bus interfaces. These include generic interfaces, high-speed or backbone buses, and application-specific buses. Some devices under test (DUTs) require modified or custom protocols, which usually lead to significant risks and maintenance costs over the life of the ATS. When choosing a digital avionics interface solution, consider the following factors:

 

  • Integration of DUT control with other test plan requirements
  • Unique features required by the test plan such as variable scheduling or fault insertion
  • Latency requirements between send and receive commands
  • Dynamic or algorithmic response requirements for protocol-aware applications
  • IP requirements for nonstandard or completely custom protocol implementations

Digital Avionics Interfacing Solutions for Manufacturing and Depot Test

  • In addition to traditional instrumentation, NI offers digital avionics interfaces both directly and through trusted partners.
  • Support for generic interfaces include MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, RS232/RS422/RS482, and CANbus.
  • High-speed interfaces include Fibre Channel, Serial RapidIO, ARINC 664p7/AFDX, IEEE 1394b, and Ethernet (up to 40 GigE).
  • Application-specific interfaces include ARINC 708, ARINC 717, ARINC 818, SpaceWire, and DVI.
  • For modified or custom protocol applications, NI tools incorporate a user-programmable FPGA for maximum customization.

Solution Advantages

  • Leverage the most comprehensive coverage of PXI-based digital avionics protocol interfaces or choose only the components you need

  • Develop your own IP libraries or use IP from NI and its diverse partner network

  • Program graphically in NI LabVIEW or in VHDL with Xilinx Vivado

  • Use a modular approach to instrumentation to adapt your ATS based on your requirements

  • Consolidate your instruments under a single software and hardware platform

Demonstration of PXI avionics test system with flight simulator software

Testing ARINC 818 and Other High-Speed Avionics Interfaces

Testing Communications Buses Securely

Communication buses in aircraft, satellites, launch vehicles, and weapon systems are getting faster and more complex. Check out this demonstration using NI PXI High-Speed Serial instruments and LabVIEW with New Wave DV IP for ARINC 818.

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Digital Avionics Interface Selection – Simplifying a Not So Simple Choice

The digital avionics bus interface is key to manufacturing or depot test, but deciding on the right tool isn’t always as simple as it seems. In this webinar, learn how you can simplify your digital avionics interface selection while reducing maintenance costs and improving system sustainability.

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