A I M - Online: Systems

Using AIM’s Avionics modules and Databus Analyser/ParaView Software plus Industry Standard, COTS hardware and software components as building blocks, AIM delivers complete System Solutions.

Our flagship System is the High Level Databus Analyser (HLBA) which can Simulate, Monitor, Display, Control and Record Parameters from multiple MIL-STD-1553/STANAG3910 buses and ARINC429/AFDX channels simultaneously!

Multi Stream, Networked based High Level Databus Analysers (HLBA)
Ruggedised Aircraft Ground Equipment (AGE)
Special to Type Test Equipment (STTE)
Real Time Data Acquisition, Display and Processing Systems (PADS and DAS)
MIL-STD-1760 Test Sets (WTS)
Fibre Optical, MIL-STD-1553 Bus/Stub Extension Systems (FOMIS)
RT Tester - AFDX Communication, Test, Analysis & Simulation Station

The Systems Group provides full documentation, design reviews, project management, installation, training and long-term support contracts to ensure your success. Clients include: EADS, BAE SYSTEMS, Dornier, Alenia Marconi and Raytheon.

AIM Delivers EF2000 Production Test Set (HLBA) to EADS

Under contract to EADS of Germany and on behalf of Eurofighter, AIM have delivered the first of several High Level Bus Analyzer (HLBA) Systems destined for EF2000 Production Testing. The first HLBA system was delivered to EADS at Manching, near Munich during March 2001. The HLBA systems are the first of our new generation of Networked Solutions for Databus Test and Simulation applications, which are based on standard PC and PCI/ CompactPCI Technology.

For the EADS Production Test Systems, AIM have delivered a complete, 34U high, 19” rack, which houses the Industrial PC, CompactPCI chassis, Keyboard/ Tracker Ball, Printer & slidetray, UPS (Uniterruptable Power Supply), and a 17” TFT Display.

The CompactPCI chassis contains the Avionics Databus Interface modules manufactured by AIM. Two 6U CompactPCI (model ACI3910) modules are used for connection to the 2 Dual Redundant STANAG3910 data busses and three 6U CompactPCI (model ACI1553-2) modules for the 6xDual Redundant STANAG3838 (MIL-STD-1553B) databusses.

The communication between the host PC and the CompactPCI chassis is via 100Mbit Ethernet network. A Target Communication Server is present on the Host PC. Target Communication Clients run on separate PC’s on the network so multiple users can access a specific data stream to perform Integration and Testing on their selected Avionics subsystem. The HLBA has an embedded software ultility to load and convert the ‘Step 1’ database format agreed between the Eurofighter Avionics Joint Team.

Aircraft Ground Equipment (AGE)

AIM GmbH offer Databus Test Equipment's (DBTE) classified as AGE equipment designed to operate in extreme harsh conditions for in service use. This level of Ruggedisation is offered in conjunction with our major partner and sub-contractor DRS Rugged Systems. Our Rugged Chassis are configured to meet customer unique requirements using of the shelf CompactPCI processor modules, AIM's MIL-STD-1553B/ STANAG3910 Test & Simulation modules plus peripherals making up the complete system. Our PBA-3910, Windows based Databus Analyzer Software forms the key part of the user interface.

Ruggedized Portable CompactPCI based Workstation.
High Level Databus Analyzer Functions.
Fully Qualified for off aircraft use in harsh environments.
Modular Design for ease of upgrade.
Customer Specific Designs available.

Special-to-Type-Test Equipment

AIM GmbH configures, build and delivers powerful, but cost efficient Special-to-TypeTest Equipment for Ground Acceptance Testing and Failure Diagnostics of Aircraft Avionics Equipment. Our modular Test Racks are based on COTS (commercial off the shelf) standard hardware and software components using AIM's advanced VME/CPCI modules for Test and Simulation of multiple Avionics Interfaces. The application specific configured test software takes full advantage the existing industry standard PAA-429 / PBA-2000 / PBA-3910 Databus Analyzer Software. The Windows based operator interface is driven by an easy to use test menu with fully automatic acceptance test sequences, manually selectable tests and failure diagnostics. AIM has already delivered several STTE's in support of EuroFighter projects such as DAC (Defensive Aids Computer) and DMG (Digital Map Generator).

Customer Application specific Design based on COTS Components.
Modular System configured for specific Units Under Test (UUT).
Supports current Avionics Databus Streams and multiple I/O's.
Automatic execution of predefined Acceptance Test Sequence.
Manual selection of user defined Test Sequences.
Menu guided Windows based Operator Interface.
Reporting, Protocol and printing of test relevant results.
Includes full function Avionics Databus Analyzer / Visualizer.
Modular Design for future growth and ease of upgrade.

Data Acquisition & Recording System

AIM GmbH provides high performance, real time data acquisition and recording systems for instrumentation and trials applications. Our custom configured systems support multiple I/O's plus Databus streams such as MIL-STD-1553A/B, PANAVIA, ARINC429 and STANAG3910. Systems are built using industry standard VME modules with a Windows 98/ NT user interface. All real time recording, processing and time tagging is taken care of in the front end chassis using intelligent interface modules, real time embedded processors (running VxWorks) and fast SCSI disks. Control and administration is via Ethernet connected to PC single or multiple PC workstations. AIM offers a complete system solution including acceptance testing, user manuals, on site training plus support contracts.

Recording and IRIG-B Time Stamping of all databus and I/O signals to hard Disk.
Real Time Display and Output of Parameters.
Parameter Extraction and Export of Signals for Post Analysis.
Chart Recorder Outputs and Control.
Video Insertion and Control via RS422 and Discretes.
Definition, Modification and Administration of Parameters via EXCEL. vModular approach allows easy Expansion and Upgrade.

MIL-STD-1760 Test Sets

AIM GmbH designs and delivers powerful, but cost efficient Test Sets for Missile, Store or Aircraft applications in support of MIL-STD-1760. Our generic MIL-STD-1760 Test Sets are based on COTS (commercial off the shelf) hardware/ software designs using AIM's advanced MIL-STD-1553A/B, PCI/CPCI modules for MIL-STD-1553A/B and the industry standard PBA-2000 Windows based Databus Analyzer Software. AIM has already delivered several MIL-STD-1760 Test Sets in support of projects such as Brimstone, Raptor and the TIALD.

Ruggedized or Industrial Chassis using PCI/CPI hardware with Windows NT.
On-line MIL-STD-1760 Message Editor.
User Controlled switching of AC/DC Power and Discrete Signals.
Automatic execution of user defined Test Sequences.
Recording and Time Stamping of all databus and signals to hard disk.
Parameter Extraction and Export of Signals for Post Analysis.
Includes a full function MIL-STD-1553A/B Databus Analyzer.
Expansion for High Bandwidth signals.

FOMIS (MIL-STD-1553 Stub Extension Systems)

Most test environments allow test equipment to be relatively close to the unit under test (UUT), however there can be circumstances, like EMC- testing of an aircraft, where the maximum distances between the UUT and the monitor device have to be extended. To support such instances, AIM has available a fibre optic based system, which allows users to connect commercial off-the-shelf avionics data bus test equipment, over an extended distance to the aircraft data bus or the UUT. Suitable for use in area’s with High Electromagnetic Fields (EMC Testing Areas etc) FOMIS provides a reliable MIL-STD-1553B Bus Extension System for Remote System & EMC Test applications and can be used as an extension of either Main Bus or Data Bus Stub over several hundred meters. Its modular design provides a very flexible, simple to operate and easy set up solution, making FOMIS an ideal system for either permanent or portable operation. The FOMIS System, provides the capability to simultaneously extend up to six Dual Redundant MILBus channels (using the MIL-STD-1553A/B Protocol). The FOMIS system consists of 2 parts, one front end called modular FOMIS-F (up to seven single modules) and one laboratory unit called FOMIS-L.

The FOMIS-F (F=front end) is the EMC protected part of the FOMIS system and utilizes two different types of modules, the Power Supply Module and Channel Modules. These individual modules can be mounted together by a snap-in connection to provide a single unit. The FOMIS-F unit consists of one power module, and up to six, individual channel modules, one per each dual redundant MILBus channel. The main function of the channel module is to convert/decode the incoming MIL-STD-1553 bus signals into an optical signal. FOMIS-F is shown with a Power Supply Module and 6 Channel Modules.

The FOMIS-L (laboratory) module is the 2nd part of the FOMIS system. It is the end of the MILBus Stub expansion and is housed in a 19-inch rack mount chassis. Other configurations of FOMIS can be provided for fibre optic transmission of signals from DC to 2Mhz, including ARINC429, analog, discretes, audio etc.

RT Tester - AFDX Communication, Test, Analysis & Simulation Station

AIM GmbH and Verified Systems International GmbH have co-operated to develop a powerful integration platform to meet the needs of AFDX communication test, analysis and simulation on the A380 project. At the heart of the system, known as ‘RT-Tester’ AIM’s PCIbus card two port AFDX PCIbus module model API-FDX-2, provides the possibility to monitor AFDX communication behavior with a timing precision down to sub micro seconds. Simulated data transmission profiles are downloaded to the board and triggered or replayed with the same precision. A wide range of possible communication faults may be simulated for testing aircraft controllers with respect to AFDX communication robustness. Hardware-in-the-loop simulation and test of complex AFDX application scenarios such as monitoring, analysis and low-level simulation are implemented within the high-level test equipment developed by Verified Systems.

The AIM, AFDX functionality has been successfully integrated into Verified Systems ‘RT-Tester’ real-time testing environment. ‘RT Tester’ uses a simple script language making it possible to program simulated application behavior on the PC level and automatically Checking the AFDX data received against expected results. Easy to use Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) support test case management and the development of customer required test procedures. To this end, the AFDX analysis, simulation and test functionality has been integrated into ‘Verified Systems' Test Engines, offering access to the other interfaces used within the aircraft domain, such as analogue, digital I/O, CANbus, ARINC 429 and MIL-STD-1553 interfaces. This novel technology based on PC clusters allows the scaling of the test engine processing and communication power by adding CPU’s to single PC’s or integrating additional PC’s into a cluster. These joint development activities are based upon extensive international research in the field of real-time systems within the European VICTORIA project and in co-operation with the University of Bremen.

System Tester supporting Multiple AFDX networks concurrently for performance of comprehensive test scenarios
Derivative of the RT Tester Product developed by ‘Verified Systems International GmbH’
Supports RT Tester Scripting language RTTL (complied)
Hard Real-time capabilities using a LINUX based version
Clustering Supported (multiple hosts, transparent to the user)
Includes entire AFIT-SL functionality (Python based)
LINUX and Windows versions available
Selected by Airbus Industries for the common ‘A380 AFDX Analyser’