DISTRIBUTED EXPERIMENTAL AVIONIC SYSTEM FOR DATA FLOW AND DATA CONTROL IN THE RESEARCH ROTORCRAFT ACT/FHS

Abstract

DLRs research rotorcraft ACT/FHS (Active Control Technology / Flying Helicopter Simulator) is used for research in a variety of fields. This paper presents a middleware controlling the onboard Windows environment that serves for the wide range of research topics and therefore different mission scenarios. First, the research rotorcraft ACT/FHS as well as its system architecture and possible computer system configurations are described. Then, the requirements for a distributed experimental avionic system for data flow and data control for the non-real-time environment are defined. Afterwards, the system architecture is presented, that has been chosen based on the previously defined requirements. Finally, the results of an evaluation of the avionic system are presented, followed by a conclusion.