ASE2207: DIGITAL ELECTRONIC

INSTRUMENTATION SYSTEMS

Lecture 1: Introduction to Aircraft

Digital Electronic

Jan 2024
Introduction

Lecturers

Dr. TAN Su-Lim Forest Mr LIM Yeow Khee

Assoc. Professor
6592-2093
BBM Hon F.SIAE FRAeS
Home base: SIT@NYP
[email protected] [email protected]

2
Module Objectives and Learning Outcomes

• Main objectives
– An introductory level to provide the foundation skills for subsequent modules taught in the ASE
programme
– Enables students to appreciate the relevance and interrelationships of the different modules without
being lost in the details.
– Covers wide variety of fundamental topics ranging from number systems, aircraft networks, software
management control and EMI/EMC.

• Learning outcomes
– To comprehend the importance of digital data presentation, measurement uncertainties and data
conversions (ADC and DAC).
– To interpret binary numbers used for representing how information is stored in computers (as binary
patterns). To design combinatorial and sequential circuits, and how they are used in a various
components of a computer system.
– To understand network in aircraft such as ARINC, fibre optics and electronic display.
– To understand the various life cycle and process for software management control in aircraft systems
– To comprehend various electronic digital aircraft systems (e.g. INS, IRS, GPS, FMS, TCAS, FBW) and
electrostatic and electromagnetic considerations.

3
ASE2207 module outline
• 1. Introduction to Aircraft Digital Electronic
• 2. Number Systems & Data Conversion
• 3. Computer Structure: Logic Circuits, Computer Architecture and
Communications
• 4. ARINC Buses: ARINC 429 and 629
• 5. Fibre Optics and Electronic Displays
• 6. Electrostatic Sensitive Devices
• 7. Software Management Control
• 8. Electronic Digital Aircraft Systems

4
 Reference books

• Thomas L. Floyd, “Digital

Fundamentals”, 11th Pearson Global
Edition 2015. E-book available in SIT
library online

• Mike Tooley, “Aircraft digital electronic

and computer systems”, Routledge, 2nd
edition, July 2013

• Low Chuen Onn, “Digital Techniques /

Electronic Instrument Systems”, SAR66-
B2-M5 training manual, 1/Rev. 05, Sep
2016
5
Module schedule (tentative)
Week Lecture Tut/Lab Lecture Topic Tutorial / Lab Deliverable

Wk 1 Forest L1 Introduction to Digital

No Tut/Lab in Week 1
8-Jan 10-Jan (Wed) 0900-1200 at DV-USC-SR2C Age / Number systems

Wk 2
Forest L2 DV-AP-SR3M Wed 1330-1530 Number Systems Tut 1
15-Jan
Wk 3 Progressive Quiz 1 [5%] Topic 1-2
Forest L3 DV-AP-SR3M Wed 1330-1530 Computer Structure Tut 1/2
22-Jan Self-paced, due by 26-Jan 2359
Wk 4
Forest L4 DV-AP-SR3M Wed 1330-1530 Computer Structure Tut 2
29-Jan
Wk 5 Draft Group Project Presentation Submission
Forest L5 DV-AP-SR3M Wed 1330-1530 ARINC Buses Lab 1
5-Feb 9-Feb 2359
Wk 6 LYK L6 Group Project Progressive Quiz 2 [5%] Topic 3-4
12-Feb 1300-1800 (Wed) DV-AP-SR2B Consultation Self-paced, due by 16-Feb 2359
Wk 7
19-Feb Recess: 19-23 Feb
Wk 8 LYK L7 0900-1200: DV-AP-LT2C SA 1 [30%] 29-Feb: 1300-1400 [Online]
Fibre Optics/ESD
26-Feb 1330-1530: DV-USC-SR1D DV-AP-SR3P [backup venue]
Wk 9 LYK L8 0900-1200: DV-AP-LT2C Electronic Displays /
4-Mar 1330-1530: DV-USC-SR1D EMC
Wk 10 LYK L9 0900-1200: DV-AP-LT2C Software
11-Mar 1330-1530: DV-USC-SR1D Management
Wk 11 LYK L10 0900-1200: DV-AP-LT2C
Aircraft Systems
18-Mar 1330-1530: DV-USC-SR1D
Wk 12
LYK L11 1500-2000: DV-USC-SR2C Aircraft Systems
25-Mar
SA 2 [30%] 3-Apr: 1600-1700 [Online]
Wk 13 0900-1200: DV-AP-LT2C [Team 1-9 presentation]
DV-USC-SR2C [backup venue]
1-Apr 1330-1530: DV-USC-SR2B [Team 10-12 presentation] Group Project Presentation [30%]
6
Assessments
• Progressive Quiz 1 [5%]: Topic 1-2 [Self-paced, due by 26-Jan 2359]

• Progressive Quiz 2 [5%]: Topic 3-4 [Self-paced, due by 16-Feb 2359]

• Summative Assessment SA1 [30%]: Topic 1-4 [29-Feb: 1300-1400 Online]

• Summative Assessment SA2 [30%]: Topic 5-8 [3-Apr: 1600-1700 Online]

• Group Project Presentation [30%]: [3-Apr: 0900-1530]

– Pre-assigned team of 4 students per group
– Check your team members on LMS under Class Activities -> Groups

7
Lecture 1 Overview

• Introduction to digital world & ICT

• Digital versus analogue world
• Integrated circuit (IC) revolution & Moore’s Law
• CPU, ALU, memories and system buses
• Basic flight instruments, A380, B878, A350

Introduction video: Future technology

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDMbEegQR1U

8
Importance of digital circuits in the daily life

Entertainment electronics:
• Energy efficiency
• Function integration,
costs

Aerospace electronics: PC & www

• Flight Management
Systems
• Drones
• Auto-pilot systems
• Flight Navigation
Systems

Communication technology:
• Terabit Internet, Backbone Router
• Broadband Access, net, mobile
communication 9
Evolution of Computing Machines

1946 ENIAC 1950 EDVAC 1959-1965 2nd Generation

Vaccuum tube, 63m2, 30tons Vaccum tube Mainframe Computer
(e.g. IBM 7094) Transistor
Program by physical wiring 45m2, 7850kg

1971, Intel 4004 SPARC M7, 2014, 10

1965-1971 3rd Generation 1971-now 4th Generation Micro with 2300 billion transistors,
transistors @ 700 32-core @ 3.6GHz
Mini Computer Computer
KHz
Integrated Circuit (IC) Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI)
10
What is a Computer?

A computer is a programmable machine designed to automatically

carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations.

Types of Computer
• Supercomputer
• Personal computer
• Portable computer (laptop,
tablet, smartphone) Supercomputer http://www.top500.org/
• Embedded computer

Embedded computer Personal computer Portable computer 11

Classes of Computers
• Supercomputers are clusters of processors that can connected
with high-speed connections that can be used to perform a highly complex
task (e.g. weather forecasting). The Blue Gene consists of 250,000 processors.
• Microcomputers contain a microprocessor (MPU) chip as a processing unit
and additional external memory and peripheral chip support.
• Compact computers that use a single-
chip (microcontroller or MCU) that
contains the processing unit, memory
and required peripheral support. They
are called embedded
microcomputers as the presence of
the microprocessor is non-obvious.
Embedded systems are all around us.
• MPU or microprocessor is synonymous
with CPU and used interchangeably.
Examples include Intel CPU, AMD,
ARM, etc 12
What is Information & Communication Technology (ICT)?

• Information Communication Technology (ICT) is concerned with

technology that provide access and treatment of information through
communication.
• Information Communication Technology (ICT) can generally be
classified into:
– Hardware:
• Design and construction of information processing hardware
• e.g. memory, CPU, digital ASIC, embedded computers, network, server, supercomputer
– Software:
• Design and development of computer program to run on the hardware
• e.g. firmware (for embedded system), operating systems (windows, linux)
• applications: high-level (C++, Java, scripts), databases, web-based, internet, mobile

• ICT consists of IT as well as telecommunication, broadcast media, all

types of audio and video processing and transmission and network
based control and monitoring functions.
13
Representation of Information

• Information or Data – is the

representation of an
idea/message in the form of
an ordered sequence of
symbols.
QR Code

Picture
Encoding of
Information
into
Signal

Video
Rosetta Stone, take a look at the video below
https://youtu.be/a2ZUHkXmPis 14
 Analog Voltage Levels to Digital Signals

• Circuits in digital electronics operate in two states:

– Represented by two different voltage levels called HIGH and LOW
– High and low voltages represent 1’s and 0’s in the binary system.

• Digital electronics uses circuits that have two states, which are
represented by two different voltage levels called HIGH and
LOW. The voltages represent numbers in the binary system.
• In binary, a single number is called a bit (for binary digit). A bit
can have the value of either a 0 or a 1, depending on if the
voltage is HIGH or LOW.

15
 Timing Diagrams
• A timing diagram is used to show the relationship
between two or more digital waveforms.
Period T

1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0
1010 1010

0110 0110

0001 1110
Time

• Majority of digital circuits are synchronous as they operates in

synchrony with a clock (a.k.a. heart bit of the system)
16
 Binary Digits and Logic Levels
• Logic polarity is the type of voltage used to represent the logic 1 state
of a statement. Any two distinct voltages may be used. For instance, a positive
voltage can represent the ‘1’ state, and a negative voltage can represent the ‘0’ state
(positive logic). The opposite is also true (negative logic).
• Different technologies uses different range of voltages to represent different logic,
each have their pros and cons (e.g. higher power, faster speed).

Positive Negative
+3.3V logic logic
VH(max)
HIGH LOW
(binary 1) (binary 0)
VH(min)

Unacceptable Unacceptable
VL(max)
LOW HIGH
0V (binary 0) (binary 1)
VL(min)

17
Types of Information Representation

• Information are commonly represented digitally in the following forms:

Bit (b) • Basic unit of information in computing, either ‘1’ or ‘0’.

Byte (B) • A byte consists of 8 bits (e.g. 1011 1100).

Word (W) • A word consists of 2 bytes, or 16 bits.

Kilo (K) • 1K ≈ 1000, or more accurately 1K = 210 = 1024

Mega (M) • 1M ≈ 1000000, or more accurately 1M = 220 = 1048576

Giga (G) • 1G ≈ 1000000000, or more accurately 1G = 230 =

1073741824

Tera (T) • 1T = 240 = 1024G

• Fiber connection speed at 1Gbps refers to 1 Giga bits per second or 125MB per second.
• 1MB = 1 × 1024 KB = (1 × 1024 × 1024) B or 1,048,576 B
18
 Types of Information Representation

• Longer word lengths allow us to work with larger numbers.

B7 (MSB) B0 (LSB) B15 (MSB) B0 (LSB)

• In the 8-bit word B7..0, the bits are numbered B0 through B7 from right to left.
B is usually used refers to the entire word. Remember, the right-most LSB
always start with B0.
• In the 16-bit word, the lower 8-bits are called the LOWER ORDER BYTE while
the upper 8-bits are called the HIGHER ORDER BYTE.
• For an n-bit word, there are 2n permutations
19
Data Representation in Analog vs Digital

• Information is stored exclusively in a digital format (discrete 1s and 0s)

• Data from real world environment are mostly analogue (continuous highs
and lows).
• Need for Analogue to Digital Converter (ADC) and DAC

Analog Digital

20
Data communication system: Analog and Digital

Step 1 Step 2

21
Analog versus Digital Signals

• Physical signals (e.g. hourly temperature) that we see

everyday are analog and vary continuously in both axes.

• Digital systems can process, store, and transmit data more efficiently but only
sample at discrete times (x-axis) and store discrete values (y-axis).
• An analog to digital conversion can be modeled as a 2 steps processes:
- 1. Sampling: Using a sample and Hold circuit
- 2. Quantisation: Using an analog to digital converter (ADC)
• Refer to sampling datafile.xlsx to explore the relationship between sampling
frequency, Nyquist rate, resolution and quantisation noise 22
Signal Representation: Analog – Digital

Step 1: Sampling (x-axis) Step 2: Quantisation (y-axis)

Analog Digital

Allows for a (potentially) infinite number of Signals limit the number of representable
unique signals, but they are harder to signals, but they are easily remembered and
reproduce reproduced
Good for storing data when reproducibility is
Good for storing data that is highly variable
paramount
but does not need to be reproduced exactly
23
 Some definitions on digitisation
Signal:
• A measurable, time variation of a physical
quantity. For example: voltage signal, visual or
Analog and digital signals
audible signal.
Step 1: Sampling:
• A process to convert a continuous-time signal
into a discrete-time signal.
• This deals with the regular interval measurement
on the x-axis (time axis)
Sampling
• The most important theorem is the Nyquist
Theorem: fs > 2 × fmax

Step 2: Quantisation:
• Physical signals (e.g. hourly temperature) that we
see everyday are analog and vary continuously. Quantise
• Quantisation is the process of mapping input
values from a large set (often a continuous set)
to output values in a (discrete) smaller set.
• This deals with the y-axis where the amplitude is
divided into equal steps and each sample have to
take on one of the defined step value. 24
Nyquist rate: Why fs > 2 × fmax?
Signal:
Amp. (V) First sample at T = 0.25s
• A sin wave has a period T = 1s, therefore f = 1Hz. If this is
the maximum frequency, we termed this as fmax = 1Hz +1

• When this signal is sampled at fs = 2 × fmax, Ts = 0.5s

• Given the first sample can starts at anytime (i.e. 0 Time (sec)
0.5 1 1.5 2
randomly), let consider the first sample happens to be at
T = 0.25s as shown on the right.
Sampling: -1

• With this process, four samples (red circles) can be

Ts = 0.5s
obtained and stored in memory or transmitted across as
digital data. Do take note that of the significant reduction
in data.
Amp. (V)
Signal re-production:
+1
• Using only 4 samples, you can draw a line to connect all
the samples to re-produce the original signal.
• The triangular waveform on the right is a close 0 Time (sec)
0.5 1 1.5 2
resemblance of the sin wave.
• As we increase the number of samples (by increasing fs),
you can image the re-produced waveform will better -1
resemble the original waveform. However, this is at the
expense of the memory space or transmission bandwidth. 25
Nyquist rate: Why fs > 2 × fmax? Amp. (V)
+1

Signal re-production:
0 Time (sec)
• In this example, when we increase Ts = 0.125s (fs = 8Hz), it 0.5 1 1.5 2
is evident that the waveform better resemble the sin
wave. However, there is a corresponding increase in
memory requirements. -1
Amp. (V) Ts = 0.125s
+1
Nyquist rate:
• While it is hopefully obvious to you that higher sampling
frequency gives a better signal quality, you will be 0 Time (sec)
0.5 1 1.5 2
wondering what is the lower bound of the sampling
frequency before the original signal is lost?
• Consider the earlier example where fs = 2 × fmax, however -1
if the first sample starts at T = 0s, the result is as follows.
Amp. (V) First sample at T = 0s
• When you try to reconstruct the signal using these
samples, you will notice it is simply a straight line that +1
does not resemble the original signal.
• This shows the lower bound for the sampling frequency
0 Time (sec)
cannot be fs ≠ 2 × fmax, but it has to be fs > 2 × fmax. 0.5 1 1.5 2

-1
26
Ts = 0.5s
Quantisation: How many bits?
Quantisation:
• In the earlier example, we only have two levels (+1 and
-1) which can be easily represented by a binary 0 and 1
respectively (or vice-versa).
• Referring to sampling datafile.xlsx, the more levels
created will result in better signal quality.
• However, the trade-off again is the data storage
requirements.
• Given digital system works based on binary number
system where it increases exponentially (2n) with n =
number of bits, the number of levels will be 1, 2, 4 ,8, 16,
32, …
• There is no specific bound on the selection of n although
a reasonable levels of representation is required to give
an acceptable quality of the signal. This is usually
determined by the n-bit ADC that we discussed earlier,
which comes in 8, 10, 12, 16 or 24 bits (256 levels, 1024,
4096, 65536, 16777216)

27
Quantisation noise QN
First sample at
Amp. (V)
T = 0.5s
+1
Quantisation:
+0.35
• The difference between an input value and its
quantized value (such as round-off error) is referred Time (sec)
0.5 1 1.5 2
to as quantisation error or quantisation noise (QN).
• Consider the example on the right where there are
-1
only 2 quantisation levels (+1 and -1), upon sampling
QN
the first sample at T = 0.5s, the signal was measured
Amp. (V)
to be +0.35V. However, this sample can only take on First sample at T = 0.5s
either of the level, +1 or -1V. The most logical level it +1
should take on is +1V as this gives 0.65V in error
+0.35
(compared to -1 where the error is 1.35V). +0.33
Time (sec)
• When we increase to 4 levels (+1, +0.33, -0.33, -1) or 0.5 1 1.5 2
-0.33
2-bit, this sample should take on the level at 0.33V as
it gives a lower error of 0.02V instead of 0.65V.
-1
• If you give it a deeper thought, you will realise the
worst case error is when the sample value is in- Binary codes
between 2 levels as taking on either level gives the
same amount of error.
• Consider the figure on the right where you try to map
a signal with a voltage range between 0-2V using a 3-
bit binary code, each step represents 0.25V (voltage 28
range / 2n) Voltage range (V)
 Digital audio CD example
• Most signals have higher frequency harmonic and noise. For most ADCs, the sampling and filter
cutoff frequencies are selected to be able to reconstruct the desired signal without including
unnecessary harmonics and noise

• An example of a reasonable sampling rate is in a digital audio CD. For audio CDs, sampling is done at
44.1 kHz because audio frequencies above 20 kHz are not detectable by the human ear.

What cutoff frequency should an

anti-aliasing filter have for a
digital audio CD?
Less than 22.05 kHz.

Questions for you to ponder?

• What is the size (in MB) of a typical
5 minutes audio song stored in an
audio CD?
• 5 min × 60 sec × 44100 KHz ×
2 channels × 2 Bytes (16-bit)
• Why is the size in mp3 format so
29
much smaller?
 Storage of digital data

• Digital data can be stored in:

– Transistor-based digital circuits storage system
such as SRAM, DRAM, ROM, FLASH
SSD
– Magnetic and optical storage systems such as
harddisk and CD/DVD
– Some of these storages are volatile (lost it
content after power off)
CD/DVD

DRAM

6 Transistors SRAM

1 Transistor DRAM Harddisk 30

 Types of memories
• Two basic groups of main memory are ROM and RAM
• Both data and program can be stored in the same memory

Its contents can be read and written to Its contents are not easily changed.
at any time. Once changed, contents can be read but
Contents are normally volatile. not written to.
Two major categories – static or dynamic. Contents are non-volatile (retained after
power-off).
31
RAM (Random Access Memory)
• Random Access Memory (RAM) is a type of volatile memory in which all
addresses are accessible in an equal amount of time and can be selected in any
order for both read or write operations.
• Volatile memory, in contrast to non-volatile memory, is computer memory
that requires power to maintain the stored information; it retains its contents
while powered on but when the power is interrupted, the stored data is quickly
lost.
• Data can be written into or read from any selected address within the RAM in
any sequence. Hence, RAM are Read and Writeable (R/W*) memory

6 Transistors SRAM 1 Transistor DRAM

32
 Random Access Memory (RAM)
• RAM is for temporary data storage. It is a read/write memory
and can store data only when power is applied, hence it is volatile.
• Two categories are static RAM (SRAM) and dynamic RAM (DRAM).

Random-
Access
Memory
(RAM)

Bits stored in a Bits stored as

Static Dynamic
RAM semiconductor RAM charge on a
(SRAM) latch or flip-flop (DRAM)
capacitor

Synchronous Fast Page Extended Burst

Asynchronous SRAM with Mode Data Out EDO DRAM Synchronous
SRAM DRAM
burst feature DRAM DRAM (BEDO
(ASRAM) (SB SRAM) (FPM DRAM) (EDO DRAM) DRAM) (SDRAM)

33
 Read Only Memory (ROM)
• The ROM family is all considered non-volatile, because it retains
data with power removed. It includes various members that can be either
permanent memory or erasable.
• ROMs are used to store data that is never (or rarely) changed such as system
initialization files. ROMs are non-volatile, meaning they retain the data when
power is removed, although some ROMs can be reprogrammed using
specialized equipment (e.g. Flash). One example is the PC BIOS.

34
 Memory Hierarchy
• Memories are generally organized in levels of
decreasing speed and cost/bit: E.g. (from Wiki and CPZ-Z)
• A Intel i7 processor has 8
– Registers: Very fast access but limited numbers within CPU. Operates at general purpose registers
CPU clock rate (size: 2-128 registers) in 32-bit mode and 16
registers in 64-bit mode
– Cache Memory: Fast access static RAM close to CPU. Typical access time • Cache Memory
8-35nS (size: kB - MB) • L1 Data Cache 64KB
• L1 Instruction Cache
– Main (Primary) memory: Usually dynamic RAM or ROM (for program 64KB
storage). Typical access time 20-100nS. (size: kB – GB) • L2 Cache 512KB
• L3 Cache 4MB
– Secondary Memory: Not always random access but non-volatile. Maybe • Main Memory
based on magnetic or flash technology. Typical access time 5-20mS. (size: • 8GB
MB - TB) • Secondary Memory
• 1TB

35
 Transistors
• A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify and switch
electronic signals and electrical power.
• Today, some transistors are packaged individually, but many more are found embedded
in integrated circuits.
• Fundamental building block of modern electronic devices,
• Inventors John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley jointly awarded the 1956
Nobel Prize in Physics for their achievement.

36
Development of a Transistor & Integrated Circuits

First Integrated Circuit

Transistor Invented in
invented in 1958 by
Bell Lab in 1947
Fairchild

Intel Pentium Pro in 1995 Intel i7 Haswell in 2013 Types of Transistors

5.5 million transistors 1.4 billion transistors

37
The Fabrication of Integrated Circuit

300mm Silicon Wafer Cut into

individual Die Circuit (transistors) layout

Video Resource
Package into IC Chip
BBC Horizon: 1977-1978 Now the Chips are Down: https://youtu.be/HW5Fvk8FNOQ
Global Foundries: Sand to Silicon: https://youtu.be/UvluuAIiA50 38
Moore’s Law

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Moore

Moore’s Law
• Moore's law is the observation that,
over the history of computing hardware,
the number of transistors in a dense
integrated circuit doubles approximately
every two years.

Challenges
• The Intel 4th Geneation Haswell chip
uses a manufacturing process to place
1.4 billion transistors 22 nanometers
apart.
• Size of a transistor limit by the size of a
single atom (e.g. A single phosphorus
atom, by comparison, is just 0.1
http://www.cringely.com/2013/10/15/breaking-moores-law/ nanometers across) 39
Von Neumann Architecture
• John Von Neumann proposed the stored program concept at
Princeton University in 1945. Von Neumann architecture is a design for a
computer with: CPU, Memory and I/O.
• In general, the address and control busses are unidirectional, while the data
bus is bidirectional
Address bus

CPU Input/Output (I/O) Memory

Control bus

https://en.wikipedia.org/
Data bus
wiki/John_von_Neumann

• Modern day computer design are based on von Neumann’s stored program concept:
1. Both data and program are stored in the same memory (i.e. RAM)
2. Contents of memory are addressable by location, without regard to data type
3. Execution occurs sequentially (unless explicitly modified)
40
Multicore Processor – Intel i7

41
 ARM IP (Intellectual Property) core
Straitstimes on Saturday 29-Oct 2016: http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/the-44-billion-company-youve-never-heard-of

ARM, the $44 billion company you've never heard of

NVIDIA to Acquire Arm for $40 Billion, Creating World’s Premier 42

Computing Company for the Age of AI | NVIDIA Newsroom
 Basic Flight Instruments
• Heading
• Altitude
• Airspeed
• Rate of turn Airspeed indicator Altitude indicator
• Rate of climb (or
descent)

Angle of attack sensor Static port

43
 Basic Flight Instruments
• You need to know where are these instruments (or transducers)
physically located and how are they interconnected in the aircraft.

44
Typical Airplane Computer Systems
• Modern airplanes have a vast quantity of
dedicated airplane computer systems

45
A380 Cockpit

46
Advanced Cockpit (A380)

• Control and
Display
System (CDS)
• Head-Up
Display (HUD)
• Onboard
Information
System (OIS)

47
Advanced Cockpit (A380)

48
Advanced Cockpit (A380)

49
Advanced Cockpit (A380)

50
Advanced Cockpit (A380)

51
 Advanced Cockpit (A380)
• Within the A380
cockpit, two types of
workstations are
available:
⁻ Two Onboard
Information
Terminals (OITs),
⁻ An Onboard
Maintenance
Terminal (OMT).

• Two OIT keyboards are accessible from the unfolded sliding tables.
• Three OIT laptops are installed in docking stations located at the rear of the
lateral consoles.

52
B787 Cockpit

53
 B787 Cockpit

Display configuration
CMCF Access
54
B787 Cockpit

Cursor Control Device (CCD)

Multi-function keypads
55
A350 XWB Cockpit

56
A350 XWB Cockpit

57
Group discussion

• 4G mobile can achieve a speed of 100Mbps, how

long will it take to download a 2GB video using 4G? How long will
it take on 5G with a speed of 1Gbps?
• A signal is sampled at a frequency of 1GHz at 10-bit per sample,
what is the file size to store this signal for 24 hours? What is fmax
for the signal?
• A 8-bit memory has 32-bit address bus, what is the capacity of
the memory? How many bits is the address bus for a memory of
the same capacity if the memory is 16-bit instead?
• Discussion the CPU execution cycle when a program is executed
on a Von Neumann computer.

58
Summary

• Introduction to digital world and information technology

• History of computing machines
• Analog versus digital signals
• Integrated circuit (IC) fabrication
• Von-Neumann architecture, instruction cycle
• Moore’s law and challenges
• CPU, ALU, memories and system buses
• Basic flight instruments, A380, B878, A350

59
 Self-test quiz

 1. Compared to analog systems, digital systems

 (a) are less prone to noise

 (b) can represent an infinite number of values

 (c) can handle much higher power

 (d) all of the above

 2. The number of values that can be assigned to one bit are

 (a) one

 (b) two

 (c) three

 (d) ten

60
 Self-test quiz

 3. A quantity having discrete numerical values is

 (a) an analog quantity

 (b) a digital quantity

 (c) a binary quantity

 (d) a natural quantity

 4. Given an analog signal with a voltage range of 2.5V and a maximum

frequency of 3.2 MHz, what is the quantization noise given a 10-bit ADC
used?
 (a) 1024

 (b) 2.44mV

 (c) 7.8µV

 (d) 8192 61
 Self-test quiz

 5. The reciprocal of the frequency of a clock signal is the

 (a) rise time

 (b) fall time

 (c) period

 (d) pulse width

 6. If the period of a clock signal is 500 ps, the frequency is

 (a) 20 MHz

 (b) 200 MHz

 (c) 2 GHz

 (d) 20 GHz

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 Self-test quiz

 7. What are the key components inside a central processing unit (CPU)?
 (a) Registers

 (b) Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

 (c) Control Unit (Finite State Machine)

 (d) all of the above

 8. Which type of memory is volatile?

 (a) Dynamic RAM

 (b) PROM

 (c) Flash drive

 (d) Solid State Drive (SSD)

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 Self-test quiz

 9. Given a data file size limit of 200 MB per day, what is the maximum sampling
frequency allowed if each sample requires 15 Bytes?

 _______________________

 10. Given an 8-bit data in positive logic appears as 1101 0001 in binary,
what is the binary pattern for the same data when it is in negative logic?
 _______________________

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