Tecnova

The Challenge

Create a modular tester to automate testing of multiple types of fly-by-wire autothrottles for Boeing, Gulfstream, and Canadair aircraft applications. Create a secure historical archive of test data.

The Solution

National Instruments LabWindows/CVI was used to create test procedures, measure test parameters, and store data in a protected database. A swappable custom electronic interface module was designed and built for each autothrottle.

The Summary

Accurate and repeatable testing of aircraft and aerospace components is very critical. Tecnova was asked to reduce the test time and improve the measurement accuracy and repeatability of fly-by-wire autothrottle assemblies used in commercial aircraft. Previously, four to eight hours were required to manually test the assemblies, depending on the skill of the test operator. Testing was further complicated due to the range of technologies used, which required interpreting high-speed wave forms.

With commercial off-the-shelf tools and components, a single automated test platform was designed to test all types of autothrottle assemblies. The 19" rack-mounted system has swappable custom electronic interface modules for each autothrottle. This provided a cost effective means of software-based hardware reconfiguration depending on throttle I/O requirements, and is flexible to allow swapping of throttle types in minutes.

Tecnova implemented a test executive design architecture for sequencing individual test components. A graphical user interface was developed using the advanced features of LabWindows/CVI to provide simple on-screen instructions that guide the test operator through each test procedure, step-by-step. ARINC was used to communicate to the autothrottles, and data acquisition instrumentation was used to capture critical measurements. Data is logged to a secure database and final test reports showing all measurements and pass/fail criteria are printed at the end of each test run.

This approach eliminated human error due to differing operator skill sets. Test times have been reduced to a consistent 30 minutes per autothrottle, while achieving the desired increase in measurement accuracy and repeatability.