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.
Fault Tolerant Architecture For A Fly-By-Light Flight Control Computer
Fiber Optic Systems for Mobile Platforms III ; 1989 ; Boston,United States
Proc. SPIE ; 1173
1990-02-13
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
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