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Accelerometers are transducers, or sensors, that convert acceleration into an electrical signal which can be used for vibration monitoring and analysis. This document defines interface requirements for accelerometers and associated interfacing electronics for use in a helicopter Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS). The purpose is to standardize the accelerometer-to-electronics interface with the intent of increasing interchangeability among HUMS sensors/systems and reducing the cost of HUMS accelerometers. Although this interface was specified with an internally amplified piezoelectric accelerometer in mind, this does not preclude the use of any other sensor technology that meets the requirements given in this specification. These SAE HUMS Interface Specifications include the minimal interface and performance requirements for interoperability with the Rotorcraft Industry Technology Association (RITA) compliant HUMS.

Reducing the power consumption—and hence, the fuel burn—is a major target for the next generation of aircraft, and electrical actuation is perceived as a technological area able to provide power saving. Electrical actuation can in fact contribute to the reduction of the non-propulsive power because electro-mechanical actuators, when compared to the conventional hydraulic actuators, rely on a form of power subjected to lower distribution losses and in general can lead to a weight savings at the aircraft level if the required power remains under a break-over point. Moreover, electro-mechanical actuators (EMAs) present higher reliability and maintainability with a lower life-cycle cost.