Expandable Optimum Avionics Architecture Solution with Advantage in terms of Cabling Weight for a Helicopter

Abstract

One of the biggest problems that the aviation industry focuses on in helicopter platforms is that the payload is not at the desired level. Another of these problems is the integration problem experienced in the process of integrating current technological equipment into the helicopter avionics architecture later throughout the product life cycle of the helicopter. Increasing the payload allows to carry more personnel, ammunition, etc. An expandable avionics architecture concept enables this if it is desired to integrate new avionics equipment throughout the life of the helicopter. In this context, R&D activities are organized in order for avionics equipment to be fast, expandable and reliable, and to transfer data via lighter ways. In this study, avionic architectural concepts from the past to the present were examined and a comparative analysis was made in terms of the cabling weight that will be formed on the helicopter platform in its possible use. While creating this concept, distributed, federated, integrated and distributed integrated architectures were examined, as well as RS-422/485, ARINC-429/629, AFDX, MIL-STD-1553 and FIBRE Channel protocols within the scope of communication protocols. By examining the superiority of the mentioned concepts to each other, the cabling weight created by different avionics architectures on the platform was calculated, and the optimum avionics architecture concept, which could be expanded to create a minimum cabling weight for a military type helicopter, was proposed.