OpenAvionics

Overview

OpenAvionics is an open source software and hardware project in the area of aeronautical instrumentation (avionics) as well as the related domains: navigation, preparation of trips, simulation, etc. Thanks to the incredible progress in electronics regarding sensors and computing power, the design of high performance and affordable avionics for light aircrafts is no longer a dream. Standard components used in automobile or computers will contribute to the objective of offerering a complete avionic system in a range of 1000 to 3000 $. Though OpenAvionics is mainly intended for experimental airdrafts, security will be a main issue and certification may be an option.

Architecture

OpenAvionics is a flexible architecture allowing different configurations according to the financial means and the desired security level. Instruments data are displayed on one, two, or even three large flat screens, typically 15 ' LCD (when available, OLED technology could be perfect).  The screens are driven by a embeded PC like computer powered through a relief battery.  The operating system will be Linux, through a minimal implementation, in order to obtain quick startup (2 to 3 seconds) compatible with an operational usage.  

Datas will be collected through 4 main interfaces :

¨ Air probe : includes the sensors to drive the basic instruments (air speed, altitude, attitude, heading...),

¨ Engine and tanks interface : to drive engine instruments (RPM, manifold pressure, oil temperature...),

¨ GPS : standard of the shelf GPS receiver,

¨ Radio/Navigation interface: a universal multichannel receiver to benefit from all beacons facilities like NDB, VOR, ILS, includes VHF voice emitter/receiver (transponder, distress beacon and flight paramaters recorder will be considered as an option).

All the above interfaces will be connected through USB.

Typical configurations are presented in figures below :

When more than one screen is used, les afficheurs sont interchangeables en cas de défaillance pour assurer la redondance.

Licence

All materials of this project is Open Source. Non profit usage is free, commercial usage requires permission. Any modification or improvement must be communicated to the OpenAvionics project master.

Copyrights and all rights on these materials remain the property of there author(s).