This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2016 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

MAE4407 - Instrumentation and avionics

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Engineering

Organisational Unit

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Coordinator(s)

S Jenvey

Offered

Clayton

First semester 2016 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit introduces avionics instruments used in vehicles ranging from light aircraft, air transport, manned and unmanned space vehicles. Their application, principles of operation, accuracy, advantages, limitations, ground systems and the flight vehicle requirements of avionics equipment. Navigation systems with an emphasis on typical forms of measurements involved, their use to pilots and industry are covered. Steering systems, self contained and radio direction finding systems and components, system interfacing, instrumentation and control are examined. Issues of interference, compatibility, redundancy and operational safety and a brief look at active navigation aids complete the unit.

Outcomes

Understanding the role of avionics instruments in aerospace vehicles
Understanding issues important for avionics measurement
Understanding avionics navigation and steering systems
Appreciation of system interfacing and integration involved in avionics
Implementation of real time computing and sensor integration with discrete data
Working with GPS, INS, DOPPLER and AIR DATA sensor components
Complete tasks as part of a team
Improve oral and written communication skills
Practicing with some components of Avionic systems and instruments/aids/simulation software

Attitude

Confidence in making a link between their previous knowledge on flight dynamics, flight control and digital signal processing with sensors, actuators, instruments, navigation systems etc needed for fly by wire flight control
Confidence in identifying the flight management systems and instruments

Assessment

Laboratory exercise: 10%
Assignments: 20%
Examination (3 hours): 70%
Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final examination component and an overall mark of 50% to achieve a pass grade in the unit. Students failing to achieve this requirement will be given a maximum of 45% in the unit.

Workload requirements

3 hours lectures, 2 hours practice sessions or laboratories per week and 7 hours of private study per week

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Chris Davies

Prerequisites

Completion of 132 points of engineering units including MAE3408