The challenge of those involved in control-system hardware development is to accommodate an ever-increasing complexity in aircraft control, while limiting the size and weight of the components and improving system reliability. A technology that displays promise towards this end is the area of fiber optics. The primary advantages of employing optical fibers, passive optical sensors, and optically controlled actuators over conventional control systems are greater immunity from electromagnetic effects, weight and volume reduction, non-radiating characteristics, superior bandwidth capabilities, and freedom from short circuits and sparking contacts. Since 1975, NASA Lewis has been performing in-house, contract, and grant research in fiber-optic sensors, high-temperature electro-optic switches, and fly-by-light control system architecture. Passive optical sensor development is an essential yet challenging area of work and has therefore received much attention during this period. A major effort to develop and demonstrate fly-by-light control system technology, known as the fiber optic control system integration (FOCSI) program, was initiated in 1985. Phase 1 of FOCSI, A NASA-DOD effort completed in 1986, was aimed at the design of a fiber optic propulsion/flight control system. Phase 2, a NASA Navy effort currently in progress, will provide the system design, subcomponent and system development, and system ground tests. Phase 3, flight demonstration, was also initiated and will culminate in full FOCSI system flight tests. In addition to a summary of the benefits of fiber optics, the FOCSI program, sensor advances, and future directions in the NASA Lewis program are discussed.
Fiber-Optic-Based Controls
1991
11 pages
Report
No indication
English
Optoelectronic Devices & Systems , Avionics , Control systems design , Electro-optics , Fiber optics , Flight control , Optical fibers , Optical measuring instruments , Hardware , Systems integration , Actuators , Component reliability , Display devices , Flight tests , Ground tests , High temperature , Switches
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