Part a What are the methods used to ensure the continuing in

Part (a) What are the methods used to ensure the continuing integrity and safety of aircraft power distribution? Write and explanation (1 page limit, 200 to 400 words).

Solution

The present invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for providing power line communication-based aircraft power distribution, and, more specifically, for allowing both power line communication (PLC) technology and spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR) technology to be utilized in aircraft power distribution systems to achieve key maintenance functions.

There has been an increasing reliance on electrical power on modern and future public transport aircraft for flight control, engine and flight management systems. Along with this increasing reliance comes an associated increase in the use of computers, in addition to passenger services and entertainment systems, making such aircraft more vulnerable to electrical fires caused by arcing from wiring problems.

Various technologies in detecting and pinpointing the wiring problems have been proposed and developed to address safety concerns, among which, Spread Spectrum Time Domain Reflectometry (SSTDR) has received particular attention and has demonstrated its potential as an effective way of locating intermittent faults on aircraft wires during flight.

1. A power distribution system comprising: at least one generator; at least one AC bus bar receiving power from the generator; at least two power line communication (PLC) tap points, each of the at least two PLC tap points communicating with the electric power control unit;

2. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one switch is a remote power controller.

3. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the electric power control unit includes at least one PLC substation.

4. The power distribution system according to claim 3, wherein each PLC substation includes a digital signal processor communicating with an internal data bus, a PLC modem communicating with the digital signal processor, and power line coupler circuitry for sending the signal to at least one of the two PLC tap points.