On-Board Systems Framework

2D and 3D views of on-board systems are used in Computer Based Trainings (CBT) and in Instructor Operating Stations (IOS) to show current device control positions. In case of CBT this controls are interactable and user can use mouse or touch screen to press this controls. In case of IOS this controls are read-only for visualization purposes only. Note that same codebase is used in both cases. Also this controls are one of On-Board system views. Due to our pluggable architecture (and Model-View-Controller architecture pattern) different viewpoints can be attached to OnBoard Systems model — like this 2D or 3D views or hardware in-cockpit controls.

We develop On-Board Systems Framework. This framework is a skeleton that could be used for rapid development of the necessary On-Board systems for any simulator. For example, this framework is used for working with On-Board systems of Helicopter MI-8/MI-17 simulator and AERO L-39 simulator.

Work of on-board systems on Computer Based Training

On-Board system framework models the work and cooperation of on-board devices during simulation. The approach is to maximally model the inner work of some real aircraft’s On-Board system based on technical manuals and electro-technical schemes of the aircraft.

This window displays states of Hydraulic and AI-9 Engine on-board systems at Instructor Operating Station. Also using this window instructor can introduce on-board systems malfunctions

On-Board Systems Framework is used for both-way interactions between simulator and hardware cockpit devices. This framework is also used in instructor operating stations to show the instructor the current state of the devices and allow him  to introduce device malfunctions (such as an engine failure, ) for teaching the crew to operate an aircraft in emergency situations.

One of the most important cases is to model the logic of the on-board systems of a simulated unit for teaching board engineers such complex procedures as turning aircraft on or off, flight procedure preparation etc. All necessary steps have to be completed to make the procedure successful. At the same time here the true modelling is developed. A task can be performed successfully not only because of a correct sequence of the crew actions. The true model is used as the core of this framework: all actions of the crew members are reflected on the model, and the procedure will be completed if the model is in the correct state. Any correct or incorrect user action is reflected in the model state.

During flight the onboard systems interact with a flight module. Flight control actions are processed by this framework and affect the flight of the simulated aircraft. Sensors and gauges get information from the flight module and environment to show actual state of the aircraft flight on different instrument panels.

Here you can see helicopter flight with on-board systems. Due to our pluggable architecture helicopter can be operated both from in-cockpit controls or joystick / game controls.

As this framework has high level of abstraction and the model is fully distinguished from view layer, a current On-Board systems model is shared through HLA between the hardware devices and the instructor operating station. Two-ways interaction allows synchronizing the states of the controls both on the instructor operating station and inside the cockpit, and allows an instructor to introduce device malfunctions. Any new view to this model can also be introduced independently without changing the skeleton. For example, we can add some 3D cockpit views with actual visualization and reaction with On-Board systems controls.

Here is modelling of sounds effects in case of on board systems failure. Same sound can be reproduced inside a cockpit

We also develop modules that control hardware for in-cockpit realism. For example, we manage in-cockpit sounds and illumination playbacks depending on the in-cockpit events and the level of control force feedback in dependence on model states.

This framework can also be used to develop different Procedures Training Devices for teaching the crew to execute standard aircraft procedures.

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