Power sources support latest Airbus tests

New Windows software allows the California Instruments families of AC and DC power sources to support the latest Airbus ABD0100.1.8 tests for avionics and cabin electronics equipment on aircraft.

Windows software is now available that allows the California Instruments families of AC and DC power sources to support the latest Airbus ABD0100.1.8 tests for avionics and cabin electronics equipment on aircraft.

California Instruments, represented exclusively in the UK by TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments), is the leading manufacturer of AC and DC power sources for aircraft test power systems.

The company has long supplied RTCA/DO-160 and MIL-STD 704 test options for its line of AC and DC power sources.

Most of the later AC and DC power sources are now capable of supporting ABD 0100.1.8 tests as well.

To facilitate these new ABD test requirements, Windows test software is now offered for the California Instruments MX Series, iX Series, Lx Series and Ls Series of power sources.

The MX and iX Series offer both AC and DC test capabilities, whereas the Lx/Ls Series is targeted at AC applications.

As one of the worldwide manufacturers of commercial airliners, Airbus Corp in Europe requires its suppliers to test their products to a wide range of product standards.

One of these standards that deals specifically with avionics and cabin electronics operated on AC or DC aircraft supplies is the ABD0100.1.8 "Electrical and installation requirements" test standard.

The objective of this test standard is to verify that a product used on an Airbus airframe will be able to handle voltage and frequency variations that occur in the course of normal aircraft and flight operation.

These tests are based on the widely used RTCA DO-160, Section 16 standard used in commercial aviation.

Airbus opted to expand on some of these tests, and change test levels and test duration compared with several of the DO160 tests.

This essentially precludes the use of a DO160-capable AC or DC product to be used without implementing changes in test protocol.

The ABD0100.1.8 test standard defines a series of AC or DC stimuli to be applied to an EUT (equipment under test).

These stimuli are designed to simulate the voltage and frequency variations and transitions which occur in the course of normal aircraft and flight operations.

Specifically, voltage transitions occur when the aircraft switches from ground power to the auxiliary power generator, and also when switching from the auxiliary to main generators.

Furthermore, voltage and frequency variations occur during flight, primarily resulting from engine speed variations, but also from possible faults from cabin electronics or other systems.

The majority of tests required are modelled after the RTCA/DO160 and EuroCAE-14D standards, but extensions have been made with additional tests.

Furthermore, several voltage and frequency test limits are different, and test durations are generally longer than those required by DO160.

Of particular note is the requirement for specific switching transients for both AC and DC powered products.

Transient times and shape are specifically defined, and all combinations of rise and fall times have to be applied to the EUT.

This generally precludes the use of test systems designed to test for RTCA/DO160 compliance.

The ABD test software is supplied as part of the GUI Windows control program shipped with every California Instruments AC and DC power source.

In addition to the control software, the -ABD option must be installed on the power source used.

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