Aircraft Condition Monitoring System

(ACMS)
Indispensable for creating reports for airworthiness authorities, onboard data are also
used to improve aircraft performance and optimize their service lifetimes. The
distinctive feature of the Aircraft Condition Monitoring Systems (ACMS) developed by
Sagem is that they collect a wide range of data. As such, ACMSs allows you
to monitor and control the status of the onboard systems and equipment, as well as
variations to the flight conditions and to the operation of the equipment. ACMSs are
fully customizable and can be programmed to anticipate aircraft system failure risks.
Now available in a Wireless version, the units made for Airbus and Boeing can transmit
flight data via 3G

ED48: Flight data interface &

management unit
Adapted to the specific requirements of the Airbus A320 family, the ED48 FDIMU
combines mandatory flight data acquisition and high performance monitoring capabilities
into a single unit. Highly reconfigurable, the ED48 meets the aircraft operators and
MROs' needs. In addition to flight data monitoring (FOQA/ MOQA), the ACMS provides
troubleshooting for system fault conditions such as electrical power, pitot heater,
pneumatic system or engine trim failures. Sagem has just certified on A320 the wireless
version which allows the data transmission in 3G. 

Module 5 Central Management System

An aircraft has so many systems that often interact with each other. As such a centralized system is
install to capture the data from various aircraft system, store it and make it available for various
 usage.  Like many Data Management Systems, You may divide it into 4 subsystems:
1.      Acquisition:  The process where the data are captured.

a.       EICAS/ECAM – where the operation data are processed and displayed

b.      Flight Data Recorder (FDRS) mandatory data are recorded for investigation purpose.

c.       Central Maint System (CMS) – monitor BITE data for record of system failures

d.      Aircraft Condition Monitoring (ACMS) – record operation data to monitor engines and aircraft
performance.

2.       Consolidation – 2 or more data to be consolidated.

a.       Normal – ECAM display data, ACMS and FDRS permanently recors

b.      Anomaly – ECAM displays anomaly, CMS records BITE system failure.

3.       Retrieval – How do you retrieve the data.

a.       MCDU – multipurpose Control Display Unit in the cockpit

b.      ECAM/EICAS displays in the centre panel.

c.       Download System

d.      ACARS

e.      FDR

4.       Analysis
a.       Minor trouble shooting with the help of EICAS/ECAM, CMS  (via MCDU and ACARSA)

b.      Major trouble shooting with CMS and ACMS

c.       Long term monitoring through ACMS and FDR.

Built In Test Equipment (BITE)

The LRUs such as computers, sensors, actuators, probes etc  are monitored by computers. These
LRUs cab be tested for trouble shooting. Part of the computer is allocatted to do the BITE test. In
some multi- computer system, a dedicated computer is allotted for this purpose.

Under normal operation, the system monitors faults.

-          Fault detected – either permanent or intermittent

-          Isolation – The BITE able to detect and capture the moment of failure. The failed LRU is
suggested.

-          Memory – non volatile memory

-          Concept – the fault  memory sent to centralized maintenance devices. The test can be done from
centralized maintenance panel.
 o   Main advantages

  Single interface (cockpit)

  Easy fault indentification

  Simplify documentation

  Standardize equipment.

TEST

1.       Power Up Test -  The safety test  executed on ground after long power cut. If in flight the power
up test is limited in order not to interfere with the operation.

a.       Typical test

                                              i.      Test microprocessor

                                            ii.      Test memories

                                           iii.      Test ARINC 429

                                          iv.      Test  I/O circuit

2.       Cyclic Test – Carried out continuously. It does not affect operation.  E.g watchdog test – where it
restart the operation of a microprocessors.

3.       System Test -  For ground staff to test the system

4.       Specific Tests – Generate simulated signal to the aircraft systems. E.g move control surfaces.

Central Maintenance System (CMS)

1.       Also known as Centralized Fault Display System. It consists of 1 or 2 CMC computers and a/c BITE
system

2.       CMC  interface  with…

-          MCDUs

-          Printer

-          ACARS

-          Data Loader (MDDU)

3.       CFDIU ( centralized fault display interface unit)- Scan the buses for fault, if the BITE fault is
detected, the CMC and CFDIU copy and store it.
4.       Printer – Most of the CMS reports can be printed. This is PFR post flight report.

5.       ACARS
6.       MDDU – multipurpose disk drive unit.

Condition Monitoring (aircraft condition monitoring system)

Used to monitor engine and Apu performance and for trouble shooting. Retrieved through MCDUs.
1.       Architecture – consist of…
a.       DMU – Data management unit - collect and process data
b.      FDIU – flight data interface units – part of the DFDR system  that sends some of the DFDR  data to
DMU.
c.       DMU functions of SAR - 
d.      DAR – Digital ACMS Recorder
e.      MCDU – online display, list of SAR files and request SAR/ DAR records
f.        Printer –
g.       ACARS

                                                                                                                               

Ground Support Equipment (GSE)

Data Loading
The uploading and download can be done either with MDDU – multipurpose disk drive or portable
data loader.
 MDDU operate in two modes, auto and manual.
-          Auto – for down and upload.
-          Manual – for down load.

MDDU consists of
-          Power supply, inputs and outputs devices, Disk drives
-          LCD windows
-          Protective door.

DATA LOADING SYSTEM

Electronic Library
  
-          Part of the efforts towards paperless operation.
-          Data for flight crews, maintenance and cabin crews, organized in task oriented
-          Linked to the onboard maintenance system for a better trouble shooting.
-          The ground operations have extensive use of information management syste

Module 5 ECAM
On of the panels in the modern aircraft using the glass cockpit is the ECAM. The other two are the
Primary Flight Display and the Secondary Flight Display. ECAM stands for Electronic Centralised
Aircraft Monitoring. Used by airbus to display engines parameters and system status. Boeing use the
same concept and called it EICAS. The display consists of 2 electronic panels situated in the middle
between the pilot and the co-pilots panel.

One of the better way to understand its operation is to see the panel in action