Avionics/Electronics

Adoption of software-defined radio slower than anticipated Most aircraft still carry multiple radios even though many suppliers tout the benefits of SDR. Read full story

For the ‘connected’ airplane, young engineers have right mind-set “I do a lot of recruiting. The kids I’m hiring now are phenomenal. They look at things differently. They’re energetic and they’re sharp,” said John Craig, Chief Engineer of Network Systems for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Read full story

WIMPs and the future of flight displays With growing adoption of natural, or post-WIMP, HMIs in the general market, cockpit display system suppliers are preparing now for the cockpits of the future, which will place the pilot at the center of the system. Read full story

More-electric aircraft are not without challenges Engineers study replacing hydraulic actuators in the primary flight-control systems with electromechanical systems. Read full story

Countering the counterfeiters Counterfeit electronic parts affect safety and national security, pose long-term reliability risks, and drive up sustainment costs.Those and related issues will be discussed at the SAE 2012 Counterfeit Parts Avoidance Symposium, co-located with the SAE 2012 Aerospace Electronics and Avionics Systems and Power Systems Conferences slated for Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 in Phoenix. Read full story

Avoiding traffic congestion in the air Once aircraft are linked to satellites or ground-based stations, the design challenge shifts to disseminating signals to passengers. Read full story

SEE within avionics systems Atmospheric radiation causes single event effects in electronics, resulting in various system failure conditions, including hazardous misleading information. Read full story

Composite structures pose EMI challenges The all-composite commercial aircraft has become a reality, and the need for the aircraft designer to consider electromagnetic threats has also grown. Bombardier Core Electromagnetic Engineering has conducted a lightning indirect effect measurements campaign on different cylindrical barrels simulating all-metal and all-composite fuselages. Read full story

Everything’s looking up for aircraft with Internet connections Aircraft companies are racing to give passengers unique abilities to go online for entertainment, information, and business activities in an effort to gain market share and revenue. Read full story