A Compact Test Equipment to carry out the hardware functional testing of
a general Pilot Control Unit (PCU) for Helicopters and its subsystem.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pilot Control Unit (PCU) is a Human Machine Interface (HMI) of Automatic
Flight Control System (AFCS) for the helicopter. It provides interface between Crew
and Automatic Flight Control Computer for Flight Control System operation. PCU has
Push buttons, AMLCD display and hot keys with NVG compatible LED back lighting to
perform the control and display functions.
Test Equipment generates the various signals like Discrete and ARINC-429
for PCU. A serial communication link RS232 used to exchange operational
parameters. It is able to test the full electrical hardware functionality of the PCU.
GUI has been developed for carrying out the testing of different hardware module of
PCU.
SUMMARY OF PRESENT INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the design and development of Compact
Test Equipment for the pilot control unit, it is a USB based 8-slots compact data
accusation (cDAQ) with hot swappable input/output modules.
In accordance with second aspect of the design of the Test Equipment
hardware consists of eight slots backplane, in which different modules can be
inserted. All slots are hot swappable. Test Equipment also has self test facility of all
the modules and chassis. Any failure in the modules or chassis will be reported by
the Test Equipment before further proceeding to test the unit. GUI software has
been developed to control all the modules to generate the require
signals/functionality.
Annexure‐II
In accordance with another aspect of the software development of Test
Equipment, the required logic is being generated/read by the Test Equipment and
on line processing of the RS 422 data is carried out by the Test Equipment and
result of testing is being displayed on the screen. A complete test report of detail
testing with date and time stamping is being generated by the Test Equipment in
the PDF format.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1: It shows the basic Block Diagram of Test Equipment for PCU. This block
diagram describes the basic interconnection between the different block.
Figure 2: This figure describes the graphical representation of testing of push
button.
Figure 3: This figure describes the graphical representation of testing of dual
concentric knob.
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
This Test Equipment has the capability of simulating the different types of
discrete signals/avionics buses and communication port. Discrete output signals are
used to verify the functionality of different LEDs and to select the NVG mode.
Discrete inputs are used to test the push button. Functionality of rocker switches are
verified through RS422 port. Different labels have been simulated on the ARINC-429
buses. Combined processing of all these in a single test bench is unique.
• ARINC-429 Transmitters : 2 channels
• ARINC-429 Receivers : 4 channels
• Discrete Output (28V/Open) : 16 Nos
• Discrete Output (GND/Open) : 10 Nos
• Discrete Input (28V/Open) : 15 Nos
• Discrete Input (GND/Open) : 02 Nos
• RS 232 Communication Port : 01 No
• RS 422 Communication Port : 02 Nos
Annexure‐II
GUI has been developed for carrying out the testing of different hardware
module of PCU. It verify the functionality of following hardware modules viz
1) Processor Card.
2) Discrete Input/Output Card.
3) AMLCD Module.
4) Rocker Switches and Push button
5) LEDs
GUI software automatically detect the status of the push button, dual
concentric knob etc. Test Equipment software has the unique feature in which it can
trace the clockwise and anticlockwise (In degree) movement of the dual concentric
knob mounted on the AMLCD panel.

WE CLIAMS:-
Accordingly, the description of the present invention is to be considered as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art of the best mode of carrying out the invention. The details may be varied substantially without departing from the spirit of the invention, and exclusive use of all modifications which are within the scope of the appended claims is reserved. We Claim that

1. The compact test equipment, comprising:
- A mobile computing device with atleast one communication interface,
- a USB based 8-slots chassis with hot swappable Discrete Input/output modules,
- a PCMCIA ARINC429 card,
- an RS422 to USB converter module &
- looms for connecting & energizing test piece with the said equipment.

2. In accordance with claim 1, an logical interface used to simulate ARINC-429 using suitable tool on Third party PCMCIA ARINC-429 card for different label generation is a unique feature of the equipment.

3. In accordance with claim 1, Graphical User Interface (GUI) developed to carryout the hardware functional testing runs on USB bases 8-slot chassis is a unique feature of the test equipment.

4. In accordance with claim 1, the said Equipment detect atleast following fault of the test piece, if persist

- Failure of any component once the system is powered ON.
- Malfunction of push button
- Serviceability of Dual Centric Knob
- Serviceability of LEDs
- Serviceability of rocker switches
- Serviceability of AMLCD
- Failure of ARINC-429 avionics buses
- Failure of communication line (RS 422 and RS232)

5. The test equipment according to claim 1 is compact, light weight and can be move from one location to another with ease. ,TagSPECI:As per Annexure-II