Terrington Systems is creating a solid-state data recorder much smaller than existing systems, making integration easier and enabling the device to stay in situ.
Mark WIlliams, Terrington managing director, says the company is working with small processor technology, and is aiming for a 150x100x75mm (6x4x3in) solid-state recorder. Most existing recorders are contained in standard avionics boxes such as the 1/2ATR standard (nominally 500x195x125mm) and use tape and similar media to store data. Williams adds: "There's a lot of interest as you can just put it in the aircraft and leave it. It counters space and weight restrictions."
The system would be used to gather information from an aircraft's databus, and can be used to collect information during trials or as an adjunct to health and usage monitoring systems.
Terrington's existing systems are fitted to UK Royal Air Force BAE Systems/Boeing Harrier GR7s and the US Marine Corps' AV-8B equivalents. Williams says the Terrington unit records 6,500 parameters on the Harrier and 9,000 on the US aircraft - an 11h Harrier mission was recorded using Terrington systems.
The York, England-based company's Frame data analysis tool allows data filtering to the relevant manufacturers without others seeing it, says Williams.
Terrington, which specialises in data gathering and analysis systems to a variety of industries, is also adapting a system developed for power stations for aero-engine monitoring. Williams says the system allows "the user to validate what the manufacturer is telling them is happening".
He says the company is talking to the UK Ministry of Defence and US Naval Air Systems command about introducing the system. Although contained in a separate monitoring unit, it uses the existing sensors, which "lowers adoption costs", adds Williams.
Source: Flight International
