AVIONICS SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE FOR BEECHCRAFT STARSHIP 1

The Beechcraft Starship 1 is a completely new and exceptionally advanced airplane in many of its fundamental aspects. The development of this aircraft has presented a unique opportunity to apply advanced avionics architectural concepts. The system that evolved consists of an integrated array of over 70 electronic line replaceable units (LRU), organized to provide unprecedented levels of functional capability, fault tolerance, and configurability, as well as on-board diagnostic aids, and other features designed to enhance the safety of flight.

The digital data communication network achieves total and efficient connectivity among all subsystems, including those aircraft systems which have not traditionally been regarded as part of the “avionics.” This includes engine and fuel sensors as well as over 100 discrete signals originating with the many nonavionic subsystems which the pilot must monitor. The connectivity is accomplished through use of a dual-dual set of data concentrators. This significantly reduces the wiring and I/O provisions that are typical of currently available, commercial avionics systems.