Fault Tolerant Architecture For A Fly-By-Light Flight Control Computer

Kevin Thompson; John Stipanovich; Brian Smith; Mahesh Reddy

doi:10.1117/12.963219

13 February 1990 Fault Tolerant Architecture For A Fly-By-Light Flight Control Computer

Kevin Thompson, John Stipanovich, Brian Smith, Mahesh Reddy

Proceedings Volume 1173, Fiber Optic Systems for Mobile Platforms III; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.963219
Event: OE/FIBERS '89, 1989, Boston, United States

Abstract

The next generation of flight control computers will utilize fiber optic technology to produce a fly-by-light flight control system. Optical transducers and optical fibers will take the place of electrical position transducers and wires, torsion bars, bell cranks, and cables. Applications for this fly-by-light technology include space launch vehicles, upperstages, space-craft, and commercial/military aircraft. Optical fibers are lighter than mechanical transmission media and unlike conven-tional wire transmissions are not susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and high energy emission sources. This paper will give an overview of a fault tolerant In-Line Monitored optical flight control system being developed at Boeing Aerospace & Electronics in Seattle, Washington. This system uses passive transducers with fiber optic interconnections which hold promises to virtually eliminate EMI threats to flight control system performance and flight safety and also provide significant weight savings. The main emphasis of this paper will be the In-Line Monitored architecture of the optical transducer system required for use in a fault tolerant flight control system.

Citation Download Citation

Kevin Thompson, John Stipanovich, Brian Smith, and Mahesh Reddy "Fault Tolerant Architecture For A Fly-By-Light Flight Control Computer", Proc. SPIE 1173, Fiber Optic Systems for Mobile Platforms III, (13 February 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.963219

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