• Reduces avionics weight, volume and wire count
• Accommodates the varied requirements of different customers without major redesign
• Improves performance and functionality over older avionics systems
• Flexible and easily incorporates universal changes
• Increases reliability and lowers cost of ownership
• Contains comprehensive sensor and internal monitoring
• Supports IOC upgrades, MDS upgrades

The Integrated Avionics Processing System (IAPS) assembly provides the infrastructure required to interconnect and manage the various avionics subsystems in the airplane. The IAPS may be sealed to support the needs of the application. It may be considered a part of the airplane wiring that physically houses some avionics line replaceable modules (LRMs). The IAPS assembly has a fully wired card cage containing the following:

• IEC IAPS Environmental Controllers
• LHP Lightning/High Intensity Radiated Field Protectors
• PWR Power Supplies
• IOC Input/Output Concentrators
• CSU Configuration Strapping Units
• FCC/FGC Flight Control/Guidance Computers
• FMC Flight Management Computers (optional)
• MDC Maintenance Diagnostic Computer (optional)
• OCM Options Configuration Module

The IAPS Card Cage (ICC) contains hardware to mount and interconnect all resident LRMs. Temperature sensors are installed on each quadrant of the ICC motherboard. The IEC monitors the temperature sensors and operate cooling fans to automatically regulate the IAPS environment. The LHP provides an isolation interface between the resident LRMs and external units. The PWR provides separate sources that independently power the FCC and the FMC functions. The IOC provides a data management function by acting as a central data collection and distribution point. These concentrators receive data bus inputs from each major Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) on the aircraft, process the data words and then transmit only the words of interest to each receiving LRU.

The CSU provides a matrix of configuration shunts that configure the IAPS with optional features. The MDC receives diagnostics words from the airplane LRUs. As an option, the MDC processes and records the data for fault messages, engine trend and exceedance data, life cycle information and LRU fault history. The stored maintenance data can be downloaded to a diskette in the Data Base Unit (DBU).

Note that the empty ICC is an LRU. Each environmental controller, lightning/HIRF protector, power supply, concentrator, strapping unit and computer installed in the card cage is an individual LRM. If any of these modules fail, the individual module may be replaced versus the entire IAPS assembly.

The IAPS contains several subsystems in a common cabinet (card cage) that is used in place of discrete LRUs and mounting trays. The basic enclosed subsystems are:

• Dual-dual ARINC 429 serial data concentrators
• Fail-passive three-axis Flight Control System (FCS) (optional dual)
• Single, dual or triple Flight Management System (FMS)

Additionally, an optional maintenance and diagnostic computer is available for system troubleshooting.

The IAPS Card Cage (i.e. module cabinet) is a LRU that contains LRMs. Several versions and options are available. The ICC printed circuit boards contribute to aircraft wiring reduction as LRM-to-LRM wiring is performed internal to the cabinet.

The aircraft interconnect connections are provided by Lightning HIRF Protector (LHP) modules.

The IEC is a fan module that provides increased subsystem reliability by initiating forced-air circulation. For systems installed outside the pressurized cabin, optional IECs with heaters are available for cold-temperature operation.

The IOC are the ARINC 429 serial data processors. They are utilized to reduce aircraft wiring by having a common input/output data collection point that re-transmits multiple sensor input buses to various internal and external subsystems. For example, the FMS and FCS subsystems share these common I/O LRMs resulting in a reduction of volume, weight and power compared to these subsystems each having their own dedicated I/O functions. Additionally, the installation cost, connector volume and wiring weight within the aircraft are greatly reduced. These IOCs are dual on each side of the card cage providing for high availability.

The PWR modules are used in association with the IOC. They provide low-volt power to the IOCs and FCS/FMS subsystems. External power is available for use by external IAPS-related subsystems. The PWRs also reduce the weight, volume and system power by having a multi-subsystem use, as one PWR may power an IOC, FCC or FMC/MDC.

The FCC/FGC is part of the autopilot system that provides three primary axis and pitch trim control. The system is fully integrated into the flight deck. A dual autopilot system configuration is optional. Also optional, Auxiliary Trim Coupler (ATC) roll or yaw trim computers are available.

The FMC is part of the FMS. Single, dual or triple options can be selected.

The MDC is an optional module used for system troubleshooting as well as engine data storage. Faults and exceedance data may be stored for later retrieval by maintenance personnel.

Part of the IOC subsystem are the CSU's; these provide centralized strapping for various internal and external subsystems as well as customer strapping of option equipment (e.g. third inertial reference system, third COMM).

The following inputs are per shelf of the IAPS; there is a number 1 and number 2 shelf for left and right sensor/subsystem functions.