MMIBS

Cost and equipment savings in avionics testing

Aerospace testing is essential to ensure that each component and system functions properly and meets safety standards. However, these tests come with challenges, particularly in terms of cost, logistics, and risk associated with avionics testing. This is where a disruptive technology comes into play: the Mini-Multi Interface Box Simulator, or MMIBS. In this article, we will delve into how the MMIBS is revolutionizing aerospace testing by saving costs and equipment while maintaining a focus on safety and performance.

What is the MMIBS and how does it save costs and equipment in aerospace testing?

The MMIBS is a portable device designed by Skylife that conducts tests and trials of embedded systems by simulating inputs and outputs using major interfaces and protocols in the aerospace industry. This enables engineers and technicians to simulate a wide range of flight conditions and operational scenarios with a single device. In this way, processes are significantly streamlined, reducing time and costs and expediting the setup of tests and simulations.

Benefits of MMIBS:

Increased efficiency: with MMIBS, the testing process can be expedited by conducting test cycles in a controlled environment, resulting in quicker results.
Reliability: by eliminating human intervention in certain checks and using sensors to measure various parameters, measurement accuracy is ensured, and potential errors in result recording are eliminated.
Repeatability: by automating a test, it ensures that it can be repeated numerous times under the same conditions.
Traceability: automated data processing enables information storage in databases, facilitating later access to results, incidents during tests, operators responsible for execution, the engineers who designed them, and the aircraft on which they were carried out.
Error prediction and maintenance optimization: data mining techniques can also be applied for analysis. Proper application of these techniques can provide statistics that help identify the most recurring or costly issues, evaluate strategies to mitigate such failures, improve processes, and more. They can also be used to anticipate errors and optimize maintenance of testing equipment and tools, resulting in considerable savings in quality costs.
Expense reduction: it reduces the number of required equipment and logistical needs for repetitive testing, leading to significant cost savings.
Equipment reduction: thanks to a single device that handles major interfaces and protocols in the aerospace industry.
Logistical reduction: MMIBS integrates various simulation and testing systems into a single system.
Safety: flight tests always carry certain risks; through MMIBS, sufficient simulated tests can ensure process quality and safety.

MMIBS as a Pillar of Progress in Aerospace

In summary, MMIBS plays a crucial role in saving costs and equipment in aerospace testing. By providing a controlled and efficient environment for testing, MMIBS is revolutionizing how the aerospace industry assesses and validates its systems. With its ability to reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and improve safety, it becomes an invaluable tool in the aerospace industry's innovation arsenal.

avionica

How MMIBS was born: From Ground Testing Challenges to Aerospace Solutions

Introduction

In the realm of aerospace, ensuring the safety and performance of aircraft is critical and requires rigorous testing and verification before an airplane can take flight with passengers and cargo. Ground testing is a vital element of this process, conducted to ensure the proper functioning of aircraft systems and equipment before their maiden flight. Previously, these tasks were performed using expensive, heavy equipment that required high levels of intrusion. However, everything changed with the advent of the Mini-Multi Interface Box Simulator (MMIBS).

The Problem: Intrusive and Costly Ground Testing

Traditional ground testing used to be complex, inefficient, and intrusive, involving the installation of real equipment in the aircraft to simulate flight conditions. Modern aircraft electronic and communication systems consist of multiple interfaces and protocols that need to be tested at different stages of development. This meant that engineers and technicians had to connect and disconnect numerous devices, consuming a considerable amount of time and increasing the likelihood of errors. Additionally, each aircraft manufacturer had its own testing methods, making standardization and collaboration in the industry difficult. This led to high costs and increased complexity in the implementation of tests.

The Birth of MMIBS

To address these challenges, Airbus Defence and Space, along with Skylife Engineering, devised an innovative solution: the Mini-Multi Interface Box Simulator (MMIBS). The goal was to develop a compact, portable, and low-power device that could perform functional testing and simulations of aeronautical equipment through commonly used communication interfaces in the industry.

The Development Methodology

The development of MMIBS followed the Systems Engineering V-model methodology. Various phases were undertaken, from concept analysis to prototype verification testing. Airbus handled the concept definition, specifications, and verification, while Skylife was responsible for the development and manufacturing of the product.

Features and Evolution of MMIBS

MMIBS quickly became a crucial solution in aerospace ground testing due to its outstanding features, including:

Compact and Portable: MMIBS measures 120x120x120 mm and weighs 1200 g, making it easy to transport and use in various environments.
Versatile Interfaces: MMIBS is capable of working with a variety of aeronautical communication interfaces, including AFDX, CAN BUS, ARINC 429, MIL-STD-1553, RS-422, RS-232, RS-485, Discrete and Analog I/O, and RVDT (Rotary Variable Differential Transformer) reading capabilities.
Intuitive Python Scripting: The system is highly configurable and reprogrammable through intuitive Python-based scripting, facilitating the rapid creation of tests and simulations.
User-Friendly Interface: MMIBS features an intuitive and user-friendly interface that allows data reading and simulation in various formats.
Network Operation: MMIBS can be controlled via Wi-Fi, enabling the operation of multiple MMIBS units in parallel to cover complex testing scenarios.

The Impact of MMIBS in Aerospace Industry

MMIBS has proven to be a valuable tool for ground testing military and commercial aircraft. Its ability to perform non-intrusive tests and simulations of aeronautical equipment has significantly improved efficiency and reduced costs associated with ground testing. Furthermore, its portability and ease of use make it a versatile solution for various aerospace applications.

In summary, MMIBS has evolved from its conception to become a crucial solution in aerospace ground testing. Its compact design, versatility in interacting with multiple interfaces, and ease of use have revolutionized testing and maintenance of systems in military and commercial aircraft. MMIBS serves as a prime example of how innovation can tackle complex challenges and enhance efficiency in the aerospace industry.

Ground Testing in Aeronautics

The manufacturing of an aircraft is a highly complex project that requires thousands of people working in coordination and a multitude of systems involved in the proper functioning of the aircraft. Before an aircraft takes off, it must undergo a series of comprehensive tests, both on the ground and in the air. In this article, we will specifically explore ground testing in aeronautics, how to streamline its execution, and how it plays a fundamental role in ensuring the safety of aircraft and passengers.

Purpose of Ground Testing

Ground testing is an integral part of the aircraft certification and maintenance process. These tests are conducted to evaluate the performance and safety of onboard systems, as well as to ensure compliance with the standards and regulations established by aviation authorities.

The systems engineer dedicated to ground testing is responsible for functionally testing the equipment during its installation process in the aircraft. The term "ground" is used to differentiate it from the phase in which the aircraft has started flying, known as the "flight line."

Types of Ground Tests

Systems Tests

During these tests, critical aircraft systems such as electrical, hydraulic, and fuel systems are evaluated. Tests are conducted to verify the efficiency and response of these systems under different conditions.

Structural Tests

These tests focus on evaluating the structural strength of the aircraft. They subject the aircraft to load tests to determine its ability to withstand extreme stresses and loads, such as turbulence, hard landings, or emergency situations.

Avionics Systems Tests

Avionics tests focus on the electronic and communication systems of the aircraft. Navigation instruments, communication systems, and safety equipment such as flight control systems and collision avoidance systems are verified.

Traditional Procedure for Conducting Ground Tests

The traditional process for ground testing is complex and involves the following steps: preparing specialized facilities, transporting the aircraft to these facilities, connecting the aircraft systems to test equipment through extensive wiring, having specialized personnel, executing tests according to established protocols, and analyzing the obtained results. This approach requires considerable logistics and resources.

The Solution: An Integrated and Multiprotocol Device - MMIBS

Skylife has developed an innovative solution to address the costly and complex challenges of conducting ground tests in the aerospace industry. Their latest creation, the MMIBS, is a portable and programmable device of reduced size that has revolutionized the way these tests are carried out.

Previously, the ground testing process required extensive physical space, a complex wiring infrastructure, a large amount of specialized personnel, and the use of dedicated facilities. However, thanks to the MMIBS, all of this has changed. This small device can be directly connected to the aircraft, allowing tests to be performed in any location without the need to transport the plane to specific facilities.

The MMIBS is highly versatile as it can emulate and read the main protocols of embedded systems, both analog and digital. This means that it integrates multiple simulation and testing systems into a single device. Furthermore, its programmability allows for remote execution and analysis of complex tests and simulations.

This innovative solution has a significant impact on the aerospace industry. The MMIBS is not only more cost-effective and efficient but also significantly accelerates the ground testing process of aircraft. With its assistance, tasks associated with aeronautical production and aircraft maintenance can be optimized, resulting in time and cost savings. In summary, Skylife's MMIBS is a revolutionary solution that has completely transformed the way ground tests are conducted in the aerospace industry.