Session 6 at SOAR by Avembsys

         The session started off with the discussion of Programming Bugs by our friends. Then our SME introduced us to Software Development Life Cycle ( SDLC ).
The SDLC consists of four phases :

1. Analysis
2. Design
3. Development
4. Testing

        In the analysis phase, the problem is stated by the client. This is analysed and understood by the engineers. In most cases, the engineer wouldn't know the client's terminology needed to implement in the product. This is where the domain experts or business analysts come to picture. They act as the interface between the clients and the software developers. once the problem is analysed the feasibility is looked into. This includes technical feasibility and commercial feasibility. The requirements of the client is clearly understood and all these are documented into Software Requirement Specification Document ( SRSD ). The appropriate software development model is selected and SRSD is sent for the approval.

        In the design phase, the design functions and operations are described in detail using SRSD. First a top level design is formulated.The top level design includes algorithm, flowcharts and block diagrams. This level includes high level design and system level system. The outcome of this step is High Level Design Document ( HDD ). Next a Low Level Design is formulated. This includes the actual block implementation specifying the details for the data structures, logic, function and parameters used. The outcome of this level is Low Level Design Document ( LDD ) or Detailed Design Document.

        In the development phase, the actual translation of the Design Document is done to the code in any suitable programming language. This is done in strict accordance of the standards which are globally accepted.

        In the test phase, various inputs are given in order to the test the developed system. This phase takes the maximum time and is the most crucial step before the product is released.

Session 5 at SOAR by Avembsys

This session was about 

Avionics - Aviation + Electronics

Session started with the brush up in C programming,a quite an interesting discussion we had regarding the associativity and precedence in evaluation of the expressions.Then our SME joined us and enquired how the given assignment is going on.
Some interesting facts :

Probability of catastrophic failure < 10^-9 / flight hour    for Aircrafts without ejection and

Probability of catastrophic failure < 10^-7 / flight hour    for Aircrafts with ejection

The basic principals regarding avionics are

• Safety
• Mission of the Aircraft
• Life cycle cost
• Certification

Few avionics systems placed over a multipurpose aircraft are

• Military IFF (Identify Friend or Foe)
• MLS ( Microwave Landing System )
• Weather Radar
• Glide Slope
• Marker Beacon
• DME ( Distance Measurement Equipment )
• VHF 2/Military UHF
• ATC transponder
• Tcas
• TACAN
• Radio Altimeter
• Live TV
• ADF (Automatic Direction Finder )
• UHF SATCOM

We then discussed on the avionics systems found on most of the aircrafts.

• Navigation system
• Communication System
• Flight control
• Engine Control / Throttle Management
• Flight Management
• Subsystem monitoring and control
• Collision Avoidance
• Weather Detection
• Emergency Location Transmitter ( ELT )

With so much of theory, it was getting a bit irritating but our tactful tech leader showed us how professional coding is. This was nothing similar of what we have seen till now. So complex yet elegant with a strict conformation with the standards which is detailed in a lengthy document.

        Back to the subject under discussion,we discussed about the varios additional  systems found on a military aircraft like

• RADAR,infrared and Target Sensors
• Weapon management
• Electronic Counter measures
• Mission planning
• Formation flight

        We were then introduced to various regulatory and advisory agencies.

• ICAO - International Civil Aviation Organization,Canada.
• FAA - Federal Aviation Administration,USA
• FCC - Federal Communication Commission
• RTC - Requirements and Technical concepts in aviation
• ARINC - Aeronautical Radio Incorporated
• SAE - Society for Automotive Engineers
• IEEE - Institution on Electrical and Electronic Engineers
• JAA - European Joint Aviation Authorities
• EUROCAE - European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment
• DGCA - Director General of Civil Aviation

The Aircaft and its Mission drive the Systems

We then had the analysis of two systems as examples


The EGPWS ( Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System ) provides caution and warning to the pilot about terrain around the aircraft so that pilot can take necessary action. There are seven modes:

1. Excessive Descent Rate
2. Excessive Closure to terrain
3. Altitude loss after takeoff
4. Unsafe terrain clearence
5. Excessive glideslope deviation
6. Advisory Callout/Backangle
7. Wind Shear Alerting

The next system discussed was the TCAS( Traffic Collision Avoidance System ). It has two types of alerts:

1. Traffic Advisories ( TAs ) - assists pilot in the visual search for other aircrafts.
2. Resolution Advisories ( RAs ) - resolves potential mid-air collisions.

Session 4 at SOAR by Avembsys

        The session started off with the discussion of the assignment given to us.The assignment was an interesting venture but this was only the beginning, the actual implementation is yet to be done.The evolution of aircraft was introduced to us.Right from the drawing of Leonardo da Vinci, The Orinthopter, to George Cayley's model to Glider and the first successful airplane by the famous Wright Brothers.
        The classification of Aircrafts was done based on various features.they are classified

1. based on space they operate - Aircraft and Spacecraft
2. based on propulsion  - Propelled (Airplanes) and Unpropelled (Airships/Gliders)
3. based on crew - Manned (Airplanes) and Unmanned (UAV/RPV)
4. based on wings - Rotary wing and Fixed wing
5. based on type of wings - Monoplane, Biplane and Triplane
6. based on landing mode - Sea, Land and Amphibian
7. based on engines - Propeller, Turbofan and Turboprop
8. based on number of engines - Single, Twin and Multiple
9. based on function - Fighter, Bomber and Transport

Bermuda Triangle's weather disturbances

Each of the above classification was presented with visual treats helping us to make a better understanding of each.Various special type of aircrafts were also shown to us such as Reconnaissance,Airborne warning and control system (AWACS), Microplane, Aerial Refuelling, Vertical Takeoff, Stealh and Aircraft Carriers.

        For a break in all these facts, we discussed about lighter topics like the UFO's,science fiction becoming reality and the Bermuda Triangle.The high turbulence in this area and the unusual magnetic anomalies have caused 50 ships and 20 airplanes disappear.

         Then we were presented with a case study of Crash of Avianica 052.This video clearly showed the importance of communication between the ATC and the ill fated plane.The failure of the pilot to impose an emergency even though he asked for a priority landing and the failure of the ATC to pass on the information when transferred from on ATC to other, caused the plane to drain out of fuel thereby leading to a crash.

        We then discussed on the working of ILS system. In order to land the Aircraft, it must be perfectly aligned to the center of runway.How can this be done? Here comes the ILS antenna! A neat technology which sends two signals of different frequencies where the join of these signals correspond to the center of the run way. This is used for both the lateral and vertical guidance. The lateral guidance aligns the aircraft with the center of runway and vertical guidance aligns the aircraft with the glide slope.

Session 3 at SOAR by Avembsys

An interesting session by our SME which included aerodynamic basics,terminology,aircrafts.
       The session started with the discussion of EMP (Electromagnetic pulse) and electronic warfare.In this ever contending world,its a race for dominance in every field.Electronic warfare can be understood through an example that is if a missile is launched,the opponent can detect this with the help of radar.In order to suppress this advantage of detection,if a EMP is sent disabling the radar the attack is imminent.This technique can be used to attack an enemy or impede enemy assaults.
        Our SME introduced us to aerodynamic basics.We had a flashback of elementary physics and physical quantities like momentum, density, temperature, viscosity, pressure etc.We even travelled back to chemistry such as the three gas laws and isothermal and adiabatic processes.Various terms related to aeronautics was summarised.Terms like altitude, attitude, center of gravity, aerodynamic center, mach number etc.
        Next we were shown with a picture of a aircraft and asked to observe what we see.This led to the discussion of how do aircrafts fly? The flight is produced due to thrust formed by jet engines and the design of wings which leads to differential pressure on the two faces which led to lift.
        The various parts of an air craft was shown to us.The parts such as cockpit, jet engine, fuselage, wings, vertical stabilizer and horizontal stabilizer.The spoilers, slats, aileron, flaps, rudder and elevator facilitates the six degrees of freedom of an aircraft in turn helps the maneuvering of the huge metal in air.
        This informative session ended with assignments and a video regarding the investigation of Air France 296 crash in 1988.

Session 2 at SOAR by Avembsys

This session's theme was

Almost right is 100% wrong.

        The second session was the introduction to the various sessions we'll be having in the coming weeks.Our theme was "Almost right is 100% wrong".The three main aspects of human mind is how one can think,speak and perform.Engineering is nothing but common sense.Our session included overview of embedded system,various missiles.The interesting part of the session was the videos shown to us.The videos proved that the small errors in a system which mathematically may seem small but in real time,it can be hazardous.An error of 1 in million in aviation is equivalent to 5 accidents per day which isn't acceptable.The discussion of various missiles(Heat Seekers,Laser guided,cruise missiles etc) and the techniques of avoiding each missile, was very interesting and this showed how technology grows and the growth has no end.The cockpit display,aircraft landing techniques,systems relating to aviations like ILS,TCAS,IGS were interesting and my curiosity to learn has increased by two folds.

Session 1 at SOAR by Avembsys

All these years of theory and lab work with ready made manuals was engineering to me,now after enrolling in the SOAR program of Avembsys engineering got a new dimension.

        The first session was the introduction to the company and in this session our SME(Subject Matter Expert) opened my mind.He showed us by giving an example how an engineer should think given that one face a probem like tripping over a stone.Session also included what we expected from the company and in turn what they expect from us,the Engineers of Tomorrow.