Aircraft Systems Integration
Week 1: system design (H11)
Goal: introduce some system descriptions and concepts, introduce design approaches.
What is a system
According to the dictionary:
- System – a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole, in particular.
- A set of connected things or devices that operate together.
- Something which has been set up in a coherent or organized way.
- Purposely ordened set of items and subparts that belong together.
What are the recurring themes?
- Connected, operating together – various parts work together.
- Coherent or organized – some sort of organization can be identified.
Also: “An assembly of electronic, electrical or mechanical components with interdependent functions,
usually forming a self-contained unit.”
Systems are everywhere
Eco-system or solar system, national health service (ziekenfonds), building and construction industry,
integrated transportation systems (openbaar Vervoer), manufacturing systems, public utilities
(electricity, gas, water, telephony, internet, television).
Regulatory systems, air transport management (ATM), air traffic control (ATC), international aircraft
companies (IAE, Airbus), aircraft systems integration (landing gear on A380).
A380 landing gear
Airbus (UK) coordinates with:
- Messier-Bugattie-Dowty (NG)
- Goodrich (MLG)
- Honeywell (wheel & brake)
- Bridgestone (tyre)
- GE (hydraulics, valves)
Overview:
- Gears
- Extension/ retraction
- Braking control
- Steering control (NG & MLG)
- Wheels, brakes, tyres
- Monitoring systems
, Basic system form
Feedback is both a form of input and a means for a system to check and correct its own output.
Systems don’t drop out of the sky
Many of the large systems mentioned have evolved and have grown into their current form. For
example, regulations did not emerge until a clear need was identified:
- 1903: Wright Brothers
- 1919: Paris Convention
- 1944: Chicago Convention
- 1970: JAA
- 2003: EASA
As most examples have the classical properties of a system, they conform to the definition. When
creating new, complex systems, waiting until they have evolved is not always possible.
System levels
Level 1, system-of-systems level.
Level 2, system level: ATA level within aircraft.
Level 3, subsystem level: for example, hydraulic power generation or fuel indication.
Level 4, component level.
Level 5, part level
Level 1 up to and including
level 5 goes from complete
aircraft to parts.
The top level can be used
to describe the entire
aircraft. This has become a
system itself, consisting of
many different
(interconnected) systems.
Requirements on many
levels
As systems are no longer
independent of each other, each system creates dependencies and requirements that influence other
Week 1: system design (H11)
Goal: introduce some system descriptions and concepts, introduce design approaches.
What is a system
According to the dictionary:
- System – a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole, in particular.
- A set of connected things or devices that operate together.
- Something which has been set up in a coherent or organized way.
- Purposely ordened set of items and subparts that belong together.
What are the recurring themes?
- Connected, operating together – various parts work together.
- Coherent or organized – some sort of organization can be identified.
Also: “An assembly of electronic, electrical or mechanical components with interdependent functions,
usually forming a self-contained unit.”
Systems are everywhere
Eco-system or solar system, national health service (ziekenfonds), building and construction industry,
integrated transportation systems (openbaar Vervoer), manufacturing systems, public utilities
(electricity, gas, water, telephony, internet, television).
Regulatory systems, air transport management (ATM), air traffic control (ATC), international aircraft
companies (IAE, Airbus), aircraft systems integration (landing gear on A380).
A380 landing gear
Airbus (UK) coordinates with:
- Messier-Bugattie-Dowty (NG)
- Goodrich (MLG)
- Honeywell (wheel & brake)
- Bridgestone (tyre)
- GE (hydraulics, valves)
Overview:
- Gears
- Extension/ retraction
- Braking control
- Steering control (NG & MLG)
- Wheels, brakes, tyres
- Monitoring systems
, Basic system form
Feedback is both a form of input and a means for a system to check and correct its own output.
Systems don’t drop out of the sky
Many of the large systems mentioned have evolved and have grown into their current form. For
example, regulations did not emerge until a clear need was identified:
- 1903: Wright Brothers
- 1919: Paris Convention
- 1944: Chicago Convention
- 1970: JAA
- 2003: EASA
As most examples have the classical properties of a system, they conform to the definition. When
creating new, complex systems, waiting until they have evolved is not always possible.
System levels
Level 1, system-of-systems level.
Level 2, system level: ATA level within aircraft.
Level 3, subsystem level: for example, hydraulic power generation or fuel indication.
Level 4, component level.
Level 5, part level
Level 1 up to and including
level 5 goes from complete
aircraft to parts.
The top level can be used
to describe the entire
aircraft. This has become a
system itself, consisting of
many different
(interconnected) systems.
Requirements on many
levels
As systems are no longer
independent of each other, each system creates dependencies and requirements that influence other
