Goodrich has considerable experience designing and integrating high integrity aircraft systems utilizing a variety of architectures.  From traditional federated systems to distributed and integrated systems, we can implement the required function.

Federated  Architecture

A federated architecture utilizes a centralized box (the Proximity Sensing Electronic Unit (PSEU)) to perform all proximity signal conditioning, I/O, logic and functions.  Many older aircraft utilize a federated architecture with the PSEU located in an Electronics Equipment (EE) bay. This architecture is best used on retrofit aircraft or smaller aircraft (regional and business) which have shorter sensor wiring runs.

Distributed Architecture

The distributed architecture locates proximity sensor signal conditioners (micro RDCs) near groups of sensors and has a central computer system to perform proximity functions. The uRDCs communicate sensor information back to the central computer via a data bus, such as CAN or ARINC. This implementation reduces wire weight and associated wire costs. Locations for uRDCs can be inside or outside of the pressure vessel and include the wheel well for landing gear sensors, inside the passenger doors to reduce wiring across the door hinge, or on the engine strut to connect to thrust reverser sensors. Proximity functions (control, indication, etc) are provided by Goodrich as software modules that will reside and run on the central computer.

Integrated Architecture

The integrated architecture provides a platform in which Remote Data Concentrators (RDCs) are located in several parts of the aircraft. Suppliers such as Goodrich, provide circuit cards for sensor interfaces that are integrated into the RDC. This approach also reduces overall wiring, but not as much as the distributed architecture. One benefit of this approach over the distributed is that the sensor interface definitely resides within the pressure vessel and therefore does not have to be designed to such a stringent environment.

For more information about Goodrich Proximity Sensing Systems please contact us.