GEC-Marconi Electronic Systems ESD1584 Data Acquisition and Recorder Unit Single packaged acquisition unit and fully protected crash recorder Very low power consumption Fully complies with FAR 121-343, ANO 1972 spec. 10, data format to ARINC 573 Low weight, low component count, high reliability Rapid on-board extraction of data The data acquisition and recorder unit, type ESD1584, is unique in that it meets the full requirements of current CAA and FAA legislation within a single 1/2 ATR case. The unit is approved to the survivability and performance standards specified in air navigation order 1972, specification no.10, and FAR 37-150-TSO-C51a. Also the unit’s signal handling capacity is sufficient to meet the requirements of specification no.10 and FAR 121-343, with ten per cent spare capacity. These features, combined with its low procurement and ownership costs, make the ESD1584 an ideal replacement for electro-mechanical ARINC 542 recorders. A useful facility of the system is the high speed extraction of data ‘in-situ’, using a copy recorder. This facility enables data to be removed for analysis without disturbing the aircraft installation. A Flight Data Entry Panel (FDEP), type ESD1591, can be supplied if there is a requirement for manual insertion of documentary data into the recording. The ESD1584 comprises a protected recorder at the front of the unit and data acquisition electronics at the rear. The design baseline for the acquisition electronics is ARINC 573, input parameters being sampled at a rate of 64 samples per second and each sample being converted to a twelve bit binary word. The resultant digital data stream is routed to the accident-protected recorder assembly, where the information is recorded serially on mylar tape, providing a continuous loop memory of 25 hours. The unit incorporates a comprehensive self-test facility. Correct operation of the unit is sensed in accordance with mandatory requirements for aircraft despatchability and displayed on a status indicator on the flight deck. If an FDEP is installed, status is displayed on indicators on the front panels of this unit. The high speed replay circuitry incorporated in the ESD1584 enables the operator to extract the entire 25 hours of recorded data in sixteen minutes by means of a data-dump recorder. The data-dump recorder is plugged into a test socket on the aircraft, enabling data to be extracted without removing the ESD1584 from the aircraft. The data-dump recorder is a Lockheed type 235. Input capacity The ESD1584 provides 60 analogue input wires associated with the following signal types: Synchro DC absolute voltage DC voltage ratio AC voltage ratio Potentiometer An input for 300 to 800 ohms variable resistance, and 28 inputs for discrete (on/off) signals are also available. In addition, depending on the unit variant selected, one of the following is provided: Up to 8 frequency inputs (tacho or pulse probe). Up to 8 ARINC 429 (DITS) Up to 4 ARINC 429 DITS plus 4 pulse probe 24 additional discrete inputs 24 discrete + GMT clock to ARINC 585 Digital air data systems (DADS) Programme flexibility The ESD584 can be programmed to provide parameter sampling rates from once every 4 seconds to 32 times per second. Three methods of programming, depending on the variant selected, are used: Fixed programme The fixed programme fully defines the input pins and signal type for each data word. Signal type selection by wire link: The signal type selection by wire link method, similar to the system shown in ARINC 573, defines the input pins for all data words. The selection of signal type for some words is made by wire links fitted in the aircraft. Programmable read only memory: The programmable read only memory permits user definition of the input pins and signal types for all data words, thus offering maximum flexibility. The size of the memory permits eight different sample sequences to be stored, selection being made by aircraft links. By this means the same unit may be used for different requirements. System capacity The data rate for the ESD1584 is 256 twelve digit data words per 4 second frame. ESD1591 Flight Data Entry Panel The ESD1591 provides for the manual insertion of data into the system and also a means for displaying the status of the ESD1584. The primary function of the ESD1591 is to provide the means of manually entering documentary data into the recorder during each flight. Eight thumbwheel switches for manual setting up of this information are mounted on the front panel of the unit. Environmental conditions BS3G100, RTCA DO-160 Dimensions and weight Height: 95mm (3.75in) Width: 140mm (5.75in) Depth: 114mm (4.50in) Weight: 1.23kg (2.75lb) Types of inputs All variants: Analogue (60 wires) Synchro 26v DC ratio and absolute AC ratio Potentiometer Variable resistance Discrete (28 wires) DC, series and shunt AC, series and shunt Marker beacon Variant dependant options Frequency (tacho or pulse probe) DITS (ARINC 429) DADS (ARINC 575/576) GMT (ARINC 585) Additional discretes Power supplies 115V 400Hz conforming to BS3G100 Power consumption 25W Environmental conditions BS3G100, RTCA DO-160, TSO-C51a Crash survivability Air navigation order 1972, specification 10, FAR 37.150, TSO-C51a Dimensions and weight 1/2 ATR long Height: 193mm (7.62in) Width: 124mm (4.88in) Depth: 495mm (19.52in) Weight: 11.34kg (25lb) GEC-Marconi Radar and Defence Systems Electronic Systems Division Browns Lane, The Airport, Portsmouth, Hampshire, P03 5PH. Telex: 869442 MARDEF G Tel: (+44) 01705 226000 Fax: (+44) 01705 226001 e-mail: charles.andrews@gecm.com USA GEC-Marconi Office, 1111 Jefferson Davis Highway, Crystal Gateway North, Suite 800, Arlington, Virginia 22202, USA Tel: 1(703) 4166582 Fax: 1(703) 4160135 ESD Publication No. ESD/068.08.96 This document gives only a general description of the produces) or services and except where expressly provided otherwise shall not form part of any contract. From time to time, changes may be made in the products or the conditions of supply. ©1996 GEC-Marconi Limited