Cockpit display system
Encyclopedia
The Cockpit display systems (or CDS) provides the visible (and audible) portion of the Human Machine Interface (HMI
) by which aircrew manage the modern Glass cockpit
and thus interface with the aircraft avionics
.
, together with continued military competitiveness, led to increased levels of integration in the cockpit.
s routinely include high-resolution multi-color displays (often LCD displays
) that present information relating to the various aircraft systems
(such as flight management
) in an integrated way. Integrated Modular Avionics
(IMA) architecture allows for the integration of the cockpit instruments and displays at the hardware and software level to be maximized.
CDS software typically uses API
code to integrate with the platform
(such as OpenGL
to access the graphics drivers
for example). This software may be written manually or with the help of COTS
tools such as VAPS or SCADE Display http://www.esterel-technologies.com/products/scade-display/.
Standards such as ARINC 661
specify the integration of the CDS at the software level with the aircraft system applications (called User Applications or UA).
HMI
HMI can refer to:* Hahn-Meitner-Institut, a research institut in Berlin, Germany, now called Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin* Hammond–Whiting , an Amtrak station in Indiana, United States, with the code HMI....
) by which aircrew manage the modern Glass cockpit
Glass cockpit
A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit that features electronic instrument displays, typically large LCD screens, as opposed to the traditional style of analog dials and gauges...
and thus interface with the aircraft avionics
Avionics
Avionics are electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites and spacecraft.Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles...
.
History
Prior to the 1970s, cockpits did not typically use any electronic instruments or displays (see Glass cockpit history). Improvements in computer technology, the need for enhancement of situational awareness in more complex environments, and the rapid growth of commercial air transportationAirline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
, together with continued military competitiveness, led to increased levels of integration in the cockpit.
Architecture
Glass cockpitGlass cockpit
A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit that features electronic instrument displays, typically large LCD screens, as opposed to the traditional style of analog dials and gauges...
s routinely include high-resolution multi-color displays (often LCD displays
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display is a flat panel display, electronic visual display, or video display that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals . LCs do not emit light directly....
) that present information relating to the various aircraft systems
Avionics
Avionics are electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites and spacecraft.Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles...
(such as flight management
Flight management system
A flight management system is a fundamental part of a modern airliner's avionics. An FMS is a specialized computer system that automates a wide variety of in-flight tasks, reducing the workload on the flight crew to the point that modern aircraft no longer carry flight engineers or navigators. A...
) in an integrated way. Integrated Modular Avionics
Integrated Modular Avionics
Integrated modular avionics represent real-time computer network airborne systems. This network consists of a number of computing modules capable of supporting numerous applications of differing criticality levels....
(IMA) architecture allows for the integration of the cockpit instruments and displays at the hardware and software level to be maximized.
Application programming interface
An application programming interface is a source code based specification intended to be used as an interface by software components to communicate with each other...
code to integrate with the platform
Integrated Modular Avionics
Integrated modular avionics represent real-time computer network airborne systems. This network consists of a number of computing modules capable of supporting numerous applications of differing criticality levels....
(such as OpenGL
OpenGL
OpenGL is a standard specification defining a cross-language, cross-platform API for writing applications that produce 2D and 3D computer graphics. The interface consists of over 250 different function calls which can be used to draw complex three-dimensional scenes from simple primitives. OpenGL...
to access the graphics drivers
Device driver
In computing, a device driver or software driver is a computer program allowing higher-level computer programs to interact with a hardware device....
for example). This software may be written manually or with the help of COTS
Commercial off-the-shelf
In the United States, Commercially available Off-The-Shelf is a Federal Acquisition Regulation term defining a nondevelopmental item of supply that is both commercial and sold in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace, and that can be procured or utilized under government contract...
tools such as VAPS or SCADE Display http://www.esterel-technologies.com/products/scade-display/.
Standards such as ARINC 661
Arinc 661
ARINC 661 is a standard which aims to normalize the definition of a Cockpit Display System , and the communication between the CDS and User Applications which manage Aircraft avionics functions...
specify the integration of the CDS at the software level with the aircraft system applications (called User Applications or UA).
See also
- Annex: Acronyms and abbreviations in avionics
- Avionics softwareAvionics softwareAvionics software is embedded software with legally mandated safety and reliability concerns used in avionics. The main difference between avionic software and conventional embedded software is that the development process is required by law and is optimized for safety.It is claimed that the...
- Integrated Modular AvionicsIntegrated Modular AvionicsIntegrated modular avionics represent real-time computer network airborne systems. This network consists of a number of computing modules capable of supporting numerous applications of differing criticality levels....
- ARINC 661Arinc 661ARINC 661 is a standard which aims to normalize the definition of a Cockpit Display System , and the communication between the CDS and User Applications which manage Aircraft avionics functions...