Application Areas

The ARINC 429 Interface is used to connect PHS-based dSPACE simulators and prototyping systems to the ARINC 429 avionics data bus. It allows for dSPACE HIL simulators to be used for testing aircraft electronics, at both the subsystem and the complete-vehicle level (Integrated Flight Testing facilities), and PHS-based dSPACE prototyping systems to be used for developing new control functions in areas such as engine management (FADEC), flight surface actuation, guidance, and navigation.

Key Benefits

• Easy configuration of each IP module via a setup block
• Data manipulation blocks
• Supports advanced testing by inducing predefined errors in a message
• Full software support for applications handcoded in C

Hardware and Software

The interface consists of the IndustryPack (IP) module carrier board DS4501 and the IP-429HD-44P module from GE Intelligent Platforms. On the real-time model side, a Simulink block library and S-functions are provided to access the IP module and its receive and transmit channels. The block library provides access to the ARINC 429 bus on raw value level, i.e., transmit and receive blocks in the model work with 32-bit ARINC 429 words without distinguishing between data bits. 

ARINC 429 Bus

The ARINC 429 specification defines how avionics equipment and systems should communicate with each other. It is an industry standard that is used on virtually all commercial aircraft. The resulting bus system is the most commonly used data bus for commercial and transport aircraft. It employs unidirectional transmission of 32-bit words over two twisted-pair cables. Messages are transmitted at a bit rate of either 12.5 or 100 kilobits per second to other system elements that monitor the bus messages. It supports one transmitter and up to 20 receivers per channel.