Optical demonstration on Honeywell FLASH program

Abstract

Flight critical system architects are increasingly integrating aircraft control and management functionality. This functional integration increases performance and cost of ownership requirements on the communication pathways. Optical signal transmission is an attractive approach to satisfying these system requirements. Investigations and demonstrations of optical signaling are needed to validate applicability of fiber based communication systems to the new system architecture performance and cost requirements. Honeywell's activities associated with the Fly-By-Light Advanced System Hardware (FLASH) program have produced a system including key optical interface elements and accomplished preliminary demonstrations needed to validate flexible, optical based aircraft control and avionic systems. The Honeywell Primary Flight Control System (PFCS) included Active Hand Controllers (AHCs), Primary Flight Control Computers (PFCCs) and smart actuation subsystem elements interfaced through various optical implementations and communication protocols. These successful implementations and demonstrations provide an excellent baseline for the processes, tools and materials required to make Fly-by-Light avionic systems marketable.