Flight-Data Acquisition Storage and Transmission System
Flight-Data Acquisition Storage and Transmission System
1 of 2
P&W Engine Services FAST 3077226 (GN4-T-212-1)
Configuration and Test All FAST Processor Installations
INTRODUCTION
This FAST Configuration and Test document is used for all FAST processor installations and maintained by P&W Engine
Services Diagnostics, Prognostics and Health Management (DPHM).
NOTE
This Configure and Test document does not incorporate a list of effective pages. Each page will indicate the
latest revision letter to the entire document.
LOG OF REVISIONS
Contents:
1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 System Description ................................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Functional Overview................................................................................................................................ 1
1.3 Purpose ................................................................................................................................................... 1
2 INSTALLATION OF THE MONITOR TRANSFER MODULE (MONITORTM) PROGRAM........................... 2
2.1 Monitor Transfer Module Software Download......................................................................................... 2
2.2 FAST USB GSE Cable Driver Installation............................................................................................... 4
3 FAST MONITOR CONFIGURATION ............................................................................................................. 5
4 FAST MONITOR LIVE DATA TEST............................................................................................................... 8
5 FAST TRANSMISSION TEST – MANUAL .................................................................................................. 10
6 AIRCRAFT TESTING ................................................................................................................................... 12
6.1 Aircraft Ground Test – Engine(s) OFF .................................................................................................. 12
6.2 Aircraft Ground Test – Engine(s) ON .................................................................................................... 13
7 FAST DATA RETRIEVAL AND UPLOAD TEST ......................................................................................... 14
7.1 Automatic Data Retrieval and Upload ................................................................................................... 14
7.2 Manual Data Retrieval and Upload ....................................................................................................... 15
List of Figures:
FIGURE 1: SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE ............................................................................................................................... 1
FIGURE 2: MYP&WC POWER LOGON PAGE ................................................................................................................ 2
FIGURE 3: MYP&WC POWER LIBRARY........................................................................................................................ 2
FIGURE 4: MYP&WC POWER FAST INTERFACE SOFTWARE ........................................................................................ 3
FIGURE 5: P&WC MONITORTM ICON ............................................................................................................................ 3
FIGURE 6: MONITORTM DRIVER FOLDER ....................................................................................................................... 4
FIGURE 7: USB DRIVERS INSTALLED ............................................................................................................................. 4
FIGURE 8: SYNC TO W EBSERVER .................................................................................................................................. 5
FIGURE 9: FAST MONITOR S/N .................................................................................................................................... 6
FIGURE 10: SYNC TO AIRCRAFT .................................................................................................................................... 6
FIGURE 11: MONITOR STATUS....................................................................................................................................... 7
FIGURE 12: LIVE DATA SENSOR SELECTION (SAMPLE) ................................................................................................... 8
FIGURE 13: LIVE DATA VIEW (SAMPLE).......................................................................................................................... 9
FIGURE 14: CELLULAR SIM CARD ...............................................................................................................................10
FIGURE 15: TEST MONITOR TRANSMISSION .................................................................................................................11
FIGURE 16: RETRIEVE LOG FILES ................................................................................................................................15
1 Introduction
Advancements surrounding fast, intelligent real time in-flight data monitoring, case-based reasoning and next
generation trending will drive significant improvements in aircraft availability. Key to maximizing aircraft
availability is PWC’s vision of an extensive set of real time prognostic and diagnostic tools employed to keep
each of our customers flying, while ensuring that the all-important aspects of safety and low cost of operation
are also addressed.
1.1 System Description
The FAST is Pratt & Whitney Engine Services fourth generation of monitoring and transmission devices.
The FAST provides a wide range of communication interfaces through which aircraft and engine performance
data can be collected. The source of this data can be an existing airframe or engine recording system,
ARINC-429, or QAR data stream. The data collected will be transmitted to a ground station via cellular
protocol when the aircraft is on the ground and the engine(s) are off. The data can also be retrieved through a
RS-485 connection to a PC. Both the collection and transmission of data is done in a common, seamless,
inseparable platform from both a hardware and software perspective.
1.2 Functional Overview
The FAST will collect the data from the aircraft’s data busses and discrete inputs and will store in resident
non-volatile memory where data summarizing engine run performance will be maintained, analyzed, and
transmitted to the ground station for trend monitoring and maintenance recommendations.
Software configuration files, which customize the operation of the product to the particular aircraft it is
installed on, can be loaded to the FAST from a remote server or manually loaded with the ground based
software. The ground based software enables direct communication with the FAST to perform maintenance
functions, such as loading or retrieving configurations, retrieving data files, and performing system
diagnostics via a serial connection.
The FAST will provide the communications system through which aircraft and engine performance data can
stream to the Internet without operator intervention. The destination will be the Pratt & Whitney Engine
Services ground station. The FAST will be designed to support multiple communication modes to achieve
data transfer. These will include hardwire, cellular, and wireless LAN.
1.3 Purpose
The purpose of this document is to provide step by step instructions on how to install the Transfer Module
program onto a laptop and use the program to configure and test the FAST processor after it has been
successfully installed in the aircraft. The Transfer Module program is the ground based software.
1) Log onto the My P&WC POWER customer portal at the following address:
https://customer.pwc.ca
3) Select “FAST Interface Software” and click “Download” to save the installation file as shown in
Figure 4
NOTE: If you are using 32-bit operating system, dpinst64.exe cannot be opened.
3) Follow the onscreen instructions. Select the “Finish” button to complete the driver installation. Refer
to Figure 7.
NOTE: A Customer Activation Form (CAF) must be completed before a configuration file can be retrieved
from the Webserver. Aircraft, engine, and SIM card data are some of the details in the CAF that
are required. The CAF can be obtained from the Dealer or authorized representative.
8) Click on the “Monitor Status” button. This will provide you a quick status of the box configuration.
Example shown in Figure 11.
CONFIGURATIONS
THAT DISPLAY
ENGINES S/N’s
Confirm that the last 3
digits of the Engine S/N
shown match the Engine
S/N installed.
The sample figure
shown indicates the
following:
Eng 1 S/N: _474
Eng 2 S/N : Data Invalid
Eng 3 S/N: _473
CAUTION
For Aircraft Configurations that display the Engine S/N in Live Data
If the Engine S/N displayed in Live Data does not match the Engine S/N installed the data will not upload
to the Webserver account. When this discrepancy is observed the proper engine S/N should be loaded
into the Engine and Live Data should be re-verified. If the Engine S/N still does not match contact
Pratt & Whitney Engine Services Customer Support.
Phone: 1 (781) 762-8600
Email: [email protected]
5) Close the Monitor Transfer Module program and disconnect the Communication Cable between your
laptop computer’s USB port and the FAST J3 Comm Port.
6) Turn aircraft power off.
NOTE: For Cessna Caravan Operators – Once aircraft power has been ON for a minimum of 2
minutes the aircraft power should be shut OFF before advancing to the next step. The
cellular Transmission will only occur when the aircraft Bus Power is switched OFF.
The FAST will latch to the “HOT” Battery Bus for a maximum of 10 minutes.
4) Open the Monitor Transfer Module program and click on “Test Monitor Transmission” and confirm
that all status messages indicate “PASS”, as shown in Figure 15.
NOTE: The transmission is completed via a cellular connection and may not transmit in the
hangar. A Cellular signal of -95 dB or higher is considered a good signal.
NOTE: Once all status messages indicate “PASS” the transmission is complete. If data logs
were stored in the FAST they can now be viewed on Webserver.
6 Aircraft Testing
While following the requirements of FAR 91.407, it is recommended that the aircraft be inspected for
airworthiness prior to testing. If the ground test of the modified aircraft is not successfully completed, the aircraft
should be returned to the original aircraft configuration until the tests are completed and acceptable.
After installation of the FAST, it is recommended that ground tests be performed to verify the correct operation of
the system in the aircraft. The following sections outline the suggested aircraft and system test procedures.
6.1 Aircraft Ground Test – Engine(s) OFF
010 With external power connected to aircraft, apply external power to the aircraft bus.
020 Power on all avionics.
030 Tune Comm 1 and Comm 2 VHF radios to the frequencies in Table 1 and verify that there is no
interference caused by the FAST. This can normally be conducted by checking for auto squelch break
on each listed frequency.
040 If interference is suspected at any particular frequency, pull the FAST circuit breaker to see if the
interference subsides.
050 If the aircraft is equipped with a GPS navigation receiver, display the satellite status page and cycle
power on the FAST.
060 Verify that the GPS signal strength is not affected by the operation of the FAST.
070 Tune the #1 and #2 VHF NAV receivers to receive a valid navigational signal from either a VOR
ramp tester or a locally tuned VOR navigation transmitter.
080 Verify that valid course deviation and a retracted NAV flag are displayed on the HSI or the VOR
course indicator.
090 Cycle power on the FAST and verify that there is no effect on the displayed NAV data.
100 Survey the aircraft for any other installed equipment (HGS, TCAS, ADF, DME, TAWS, etc.) that
may be affected by interference from the FAST. Perform any additional tests as required to determine
if the FAST creates objectionable interference. This may be accomplished by pulling the FAST
circuit breaker while observing the subject equipment. List the additional equipment tested and any
observed effects in the Electromagnetic Compatibility Testing Table (See Table 2).
110 Remove external power from aircraft.
Frequency Pass/Fail Frequency Pass/Fail
118.00 MHZ 127.00 MHZ
119.00 MHZ 128.00 MHZ
120.00 MHZ 129.00 MHZ
121.00 MHZ 130.00 MHZ
122.00 MHZ 131.00 MHZ
123.00 MHZ 132.00 MHZ
124.00 MHZ 133.00 MHZ
125.00 MHZ 134.00 MHZ
126.00 MHZ 135.00 MHZ
Table 1: VHF Frequency Table
HGS
TCAS
ADF
DME
TAWS
EICAS
NOTE: When a Dealer, Manufacturer, or Installer uses their own SIM card for testing purposes
ensure that it is removed from the FAST after all tests have successfully completed.
NOTE: When a Dealer, Manufacturer, or Installer uses their own SIM card and is different than
the Operator’s SIM card the FAST will require a new configuration file. Refer to
Section 3 for configuration instructions.
NOTE: Ensure that the Operator’s SIM card is installed (if available) prior to releasing the
aircraft.
NOTE: Ensure that the FAST Transmission Test is completed with the operator’s SIM card if it
has the ability to transmit in the geographic location. Refer to Section 5.