Honeywell's Versatile Integrated Avionics (VIA 2000) system is the avionics architecture for the new Boeing 717 twin-jet being shown at Le Bourget this week.
The VIA system that forms the basis of the 717's Advanced Flight Deck features six flat panel liquid crystal displays. Dual VIA computers integrate the following functions:
Flat panel display electronics and software; Flight management function, including provisioning for FANS 1; Digital Flight Data Acquisition Function (DFDAF); Central Aural Warning System (CAWS); Provisioning for Aircraft Condition Monitoring Function (ACMF) and flight deck communications.The VIA 2000 is based on key advances that were made by Honeywell in the development and implementation of the advanced avionics architecture - the Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) concept.
Concepts
The breakthrough avionics concepts developed for IMA shared resources and robust partitioning are also carried out in VIA 2000 in a design that allows the system to fit into conventional aircraft racks.
In addition to providing VIA 2000 functions, Honeywell has taken a major integration role on the 717's flight deck, supplying the following systems:
Category IIIa Auto Flight System, including windshear detection and stall warning (upgradeable to Cat IIIb); Dual Air Data/ Inertial Reference Systems (ADIRS); Central Fault Display System.Reliability
The VIA 2000 concept of using common line replaceable units (LRUs) with shared computing means that fewer LRUs are used, with attendant lower weight and fewer wires, and a significant overall improvement in system reliability.
Fewer spares are needed and fleet commonality is enhanced.
The partitioning and modular design of the VIA 2000 system allows efficient system customisation, system updates or system upgrades as well as greater ease of certification, all of which also contribute to lower cost of ownership over the life of the equipment.
Source: Flight Daily News
