INGENIEURBÜRO DIPL. ING. A. GRÜNEWALD

Manual:

Handheld ARINC 429

Bus Test System

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Issue 1

In cooperation with company MICMA GmbH.

Ingenieurbüro Dipl. Ing Alfred GrünewaldTsingtauerstr.51a • 81827 München

Telefon +49 89/45310832 • Fax +49 89/45310833Email info@agruenewald.de

www.agruenewald.de

23.2.2012Copyright

Copyright by Ing. Büro Grünewald 2002. All rights reserved. This software may not be reproduced, modified, transferred or copied in any form or in any manner or on any media, in whole or in part, without express written permis-sion of IBG.

TrademarksAll Trademarks are in possesion of their repective owners.

NoteIBG reserves the right to make changes to this manual and to the eqipment described herein without notice. Considerable effort has been made to ensure that this manual is free of inaccuracies and omissions. However, IBG makes no warranty of any kind including, but not limited to, any implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with regard to this manual. IBG assumes no responsibility for, or liability for, errors contained in this manual or for incidental, special, or consequential damages arising out of the furnishing of this manual, or the use of this manual in operating the equipment , or in connection with the performance of the eqipment when so operated.

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Content 2.1.1 Data Output Mode: ............................................................................................ 7 2.2.1 Raw Data Display ............................................................................................ 11 2.2.2 Scaled Data Display ......................................................................................... 12 3.1 Store Configurations ........................................................................................... 16 3.2 ARINC 429 Bus Data Recording ........................................................................ 17 3.3 SD Card Directory .............................................................................................. 19 3.4 Restore Saved Configurations ............................................................................. 19 3.5 Data File Statistics .............................................................................................. 20 5.1 External Connections .......................................................................................... 21 5.2 Mechanical Data ......................................................................................... 22 5.2 Processor Board .................................................................................................. 22 5.3 Interface Board ......................................................................................... 23 5.4 Hardware near Software (VHDL) ..................................................................... 23

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1. ARINC 429 BUS Test Unit

1.1 System DescriptionThe ARINC Spec. 429 is a standard used in the civil aviation to distribute digital data between different Avionic units. Systems using this standard are found in nearly all flying equipment as airplanes from Boeing 7xx , Airbus, a number of small airplanes and helicopters.

The ARINC Spec. 429 define a simple data protocol and eliminate the necessity of complex single solutions for the interface between different Avionic systems of different companies. Systems, using this standard, can easily be connected in any kind of Avionic systems and can be there for used very universal.

According ARINC Spec. 429 digital data are transmitted as differential +/- 10 Volt signal over a bus (2 twisted and screened lines) in one direction. The data are transmitted as 32 bit words. Each word contains an 8-bit address (Label) and a Parity Bit. The address (Label) defines the content of the other 23 data bits. A transmitter can be the source for up to 12 receivers.

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The standard defines two data rates, 100 k Bit/s and 12,5 k Bit/s.

1.2 ARINC429 BUS-TESTER

This unit was designed to full fill the requirements of testing aircraft systems.

The ultimate tool for everybody using ARINC429 signals. Small - independent - easy to use - clever. Switch on and use

It allows a quick test of all to an ARINC429 Bus connected units, either transmitting or receiving. Questions like which bit changed, when a certain mode in the aircraft is reached , or how are some data scaled are easily answered. But also the simulation of ARINC429 data, for example altitude or speed to test certain indicating instruments can be done in a hurry.

By use of the additional analogue output of up to 8 bus data in any programmable scaling, connection of analogue indicators or script chart recorders for continues monitoring can be done.

All selected parameter are stored in a non volatile memory and are active right after switch on.

All parameter, how to select and handle the different data inputs are stored in a non-volatile memory. With the help of a configuration program they can be changed and by this way easily adapted to the different hardware of all kinds of test systems. Additional a nearly unlimited number of configurations for Decoder and Encoder can be stored on the SD Card and later read back.

Further ARINC 429 Bus data can be recorded in a file on the SD Card. This file then contains all information about which labels occurred, which configuration and scaling was used and a time information between each received data word.

The whole handling is done over a touch screen. A battery allows a 1 hour usage without external power supply. ARINC429 Bus signals and analog in- and output will be connected by break out boxes or special user cabling.

2.0 Users GuideAfter switch on, the touch screen display shows the main menu.

The first row is dedicated to the configuration of encoder to define data rate and which data should be send and further the decoder functions to see display incoming data.

The second row is related to set the Real Time Clock, store the actual configuration, which will then automatic reloaded after the next switch on. The next button reads the last configuration, if changes made during the actual session should be overwritten by the last one. The further button allows access to the SD card service menu to load and save a nearly unlimited number of configurations and data.

Basic Modes:

Transmit (Encoder):

Up to 64 per touch defined ARINC429 words are transmitted in a loop. Time between words and frame can be set. 14 bit Data of up to seven analog to digital converters (ADC) ( +/- 4,096 V, 0.5mV resolution) can be inserted into the data frame. Also only one repeating ARINC429 word can be transmitted. A Ramp function allows to per cycle changeable data.

Receive (Decoder):

Scans the bus signal which Labels are coming and how often the appear. One click at the displayed Label will show the raw data of that word either in hexadecimal or decimal notation. If scaling information for this Label is given, data is displayed in engineering values.

Additional eight 14 bit Digital to Analogue Converters (DAC) can be used to convert data from the input ARINC data stream into an analogue voltage between +/- 10 Volt, which can for example be used to show data on an analogue indicator or for continues monitoring on a script chart recorder.

The capacity of the Battery is displayed in a bar. Voltages above 3.5V green, between 3,1 and 3,5 Volt yellow, below in red.. To avoid a mail function of the battery, the unit is shut down if 3.0 Volt is reached.

2.1. Encoder ConfigurationThe field „Data Rate“ allows by click at the Touch Screen to choose 100 k Bit or 12,5 k Bit output rate.

2.1.1 Data Output Mode:

Field „Mode“ defines the output mode. The different modes are:

ONE WORD:A single word with a selectable time between in steps of 1 ms.

Button „SET DATA“ allows the configuration of the data word.

„Word Rate“ is the selectable time of the start of data words in steps of 1 msClick at + increases the time by 1 ms, Click at – decreases by 1 ms.(Due to word length at 125 k Bit/s >= 3ms)

Each single bit of the Label (8 Bit) and Data (24 Bit) are settable to zero or one by click at button below the bit number.The actual status of that bit is shown at the button. Further the hole Label contend is displayed as octal or hexadecimal value. A click at the HEX button will change the Label display to the hexadecimal notation, button HEX changes to OCT to allow to return to the octal notation.

All 23 bits of the data are displayed beside the bit values on the buttons in a hexadecimal notation.

RAMP:

FRAME:

Data frame with selectable number of words, word repetition rate and frame rate.

Each single word of the frame can be selected by + or – under „Frame Word“. The used Label and data contend are displayed in hexadecimal notation.

A click at „Set Data“ changes the menu to be able to edit Label and Data contend of the under „Frame Word“ selected word.

„Word Rate“ is the selectable time of the start of the data words in steps of 1 ms Click at + increases the time by 1 ms, Click at – decreases by 1 ms. (at125 k Bit/s not below 3ms)

The same can be done to define therepetition rate of the hole frame.

The number of words can be changed by + or – at Frame Size. (maximum 64 words)

The data word with the Label, which was selected in the ONE WORD Mode will be continuously increased between MIN Bit and MAX Bit by one Bit and transmitted after the selected repetition rate.

If the Data value reaches MAX Bit, the next value steps to MIN Bit.

ANALOG:

This mode allows the insertion of any of the 7 analog inputs (+/- 4,096 V) into any data word of a previously defined frame. Selectable is the position of the 14 analog to digital converted data bits in the 23 bit data part of the ARINC429 word and the position of the data word in the frame. Data values defined under frame mode will be overwritten.

“DATA MODE” allows the selection of the data coding, 2th-complement or strait binary.

There is also a „TEST“ button, a click will show the actual voltage and bit value of all 7 input channels. (open inputs are around 4,0955 Volt)

Each single bit of the Label (8 Bit) and Data (24 Bit) are settable to zero or one by click at button below the bit number.The actual status of that bit is shown at the button. Further the hole Label contend is displayed as octal or hexadecimal value. A click at the HEX button will change the Label display to the hexadecimal notation, button HEX changes to OCT to allow to return to the octal notation.

All 23 bits of the data are displayed beside the bit values on the buttons in a hexadecimal notation

The position of the word in the frame is displayed.

A click at the row of the „Channel “ column selects the to be used analog input, a click auf „Use“ activate it.“ DONT” deactivates.The column Label, LsBit and “Frame Pos” define the ARINC429 word. By selecting the “Frame Pos” the used Label, which is already given by the previously defined frame will be inserted automatic in the Label column and can not be edited.

LsBit is the position of the least significant analog data bit in the 23 Bit data part (Bit 31 bis 9), that means, 0 adjusts bit 14 (LSB) of the analog data to data bit 9 of the ARINC word. Attention! Values over 17 will create a data overflow.

„REPEAT“ starts a new measurement.

2.2. Decoder Configuration

A click in the main menu at „Decoder Configuration“ creates the following menu:Here the selection of the data rate of the ARINC 429 inputs and the selection of different data display modes is possible.

2.2.1 Raw Data Display

The grid field „Labels Found“ shows all labels found in the actual ARINC 429 input data stream. A click on any of the displayed labels shows the data related to that ARINC word. The repetition rate of the selected word is also shown.

If button DEZ is clicked Label and data are displayed in decimal notation, the button changes its name to OCT. If its again clicked then the Label is displayed in octal notation, data will remain in decimal. The button changes its name to HEX and allows going back to the hexadecimal notation.

Button PLOT switches the display to the later described plot mode.

„Set Parameter“ allows the definition of scaling factors for data of certain labels. These will then be used to display data in engineering values under “Data Display“

„Set Analog Out“ allow the configuration of the 8 analog outputs.

„Data Display“ A click of it will display the data menu.

2.2.2 Scaled Data Display

To get a data display in engineering units, first in the decoder configuration main menu button „Set Parameter“ must be clicked. The following Data Parameter input menu is then activated:

Actual the program reserves space for maximal 32 records.

Some rows in the white field have a special handling: If the Label row is clicked first the selection in which notation the data input should be interpreted must be selected The data input menu changes to this:

To be able to display data in engineering units, for each data word of the ARINC 429 data stream a parameter record can be defined. Record shows the number of the record, + selects the next one, - the one before.ERASE deletes all entries of this record, COPY copies all entries, PASTE inserts previously copied entries. SAVE stores all records in a none volatile memory, LOAD restores all data records. In the white field name, unit, label, data mask, data scaling can be defined. A click at any line allows then to input values through the given number and character buttons. The selected line will become a blue background. VAL LSB defines the engineering value of the least significant bit of the used bits. BIAS is added to the output value. LIMIT+ and LIMIT- are used to define the plot axis and can be used to alert if limits are reached (not yet implemented)

After selection of the Input Type and click at button BACK the relevant number can be inserted in the restored white field of the parameter menu.

Click at Mask changes the display as follows:

A click at „SDI no SSM no“ changes the display as follows:

If the data stream contains data with the same label but different SDI bits, the 4 possibilities for decoding of the data can be here defined.

The seldom used Status and Sign Matrix (SSM) Bits are not yet for decoding set able.

Here can be defined, which of the 23 data bits should be used for the data conversion. X means use, empty not used. A click at the related bit field changes the indicated modus.

Selection of button BACK shows in the returning Parameter Menu the value of the defined mask in hexadecimal notation, no additional input is required.

Selection of button BACK shows in the returning Parameter Menu the selected SDI definition, that means instead of SDI no SDI 01 if SDI Bit 9 is set or SDI 10 if Bit 10 is set. Additional possibilities: SDI 11 for Bit 9 and Bit 10 setSDI 00 for Bit 9 und Bit 10 not set

No additional input is required..

If in the data display a scaling record for the selected label is available, then data are displayed with name and calculated data value of the used engineering unit.

Button PLOT, only if a data record is available, allows to have a graphical display of data amount against time.

The vertical axis shows the scaled value within the in the scaling record given limit values.The horizontal axis always has 100 data points. For this data points a selection of how much of the incoming data should be put together can be defined, either as middle value (MEAN) or peak (PEAK). With this feature a time related plot can be done without knowing the time wise occurrence of the data on the bus.

Data per Point shows how much data are put together, + increases, - decreases the number. Big numbers can be easy set by dragging the brown bar. Plot button starts a new measurement.

For Labels which use the SDI Bits for differentiation, button SD+ allows to select one of the 4 different possible bit configurations 00, 01, 10, 11.

2.3 Decoder DAC Output Configuration. Eight 14 bit Digital to Analogue Converters (DAC) can be used to convert data from the input ARINC 429 data stream into an analogue voltage between +/- 10 Volt, which can for example be used to show data on an analogue indicator. For this reason in a special structure 8 records of configuration parameter are stored in the Flash Memory.

DAC TEST allows to switch all 8 outputs to the maximum values of +/- 10 Volt, further by click at RAMP the output of a ramp function between – and + 10 Volt, STOP set a zero volt output. This test feature can be used to calibrate connected instruments or strip chart recorder.

8 analog outputs can be dedicated to any word of the ARINC429 stream. All used parameter are stored in a structure.The channel is selected by a click on Ch1..Ch8 and then this row is selected. Under Label Notation the interpretation of the Label number as hexadecimal, octal or decimal can be selected. The used label can then be inserted into the Label column by click on the number buttonsWrong entries can be corrected by the delete (del) button.A click on the USE button will change the menu for further entries concerning the scaling.

A click on the DONT button on a selected channel will deactivate the output, the Use column will be cleared.

Three floating-point numbers are defined. VAL LSB is a factor of how many engineering values the least significant bit, selected by the bit mask, is worth. BIAS, also in engineering values, is the zero point offset. Double dsfact is a factor calculated from the requested output range. It is retrieved by dividing the maximal DAC range in bits (16384) by the requested engineering value for plus 10 Volt output minus the value for minus 10 Volt. range=DAC[n].v10pl-DAC[n].v10mi DAC[n].dsfact=16384/range;

The 16 bit integer value dbias is an offset used for the DAC output. It is calculated by the formula: DAC[n].dbias=16384*(DAC[n].v10pl-(range/2))/range

Next there is a 16-bit Bit Mask, which allows to mask special areas of the input data to be converted.BACK will go back to the first DAC menu and activate the output and the used outputs are shown by X in the Use column .

3.0 SD Card Service Menu

3.1 Store Configurations

Buttons CD ( store Decoder configuration) and CE ( store Encoder configuration ) lead, if a valid configuration has been selected, to the same screen to select a file name, only with different fixed extensions, .CAF for Decoder configurations, .EAF for Encoder configurations. Up to 7 characters can be selected for the file name by using the character or number buttons. Button WRITE executes the storage, button RETURN returns to the main menu.

A click at button SD of the main menu starts the SD Card Service menu. This allows to select to store or restore the decoder and encoder configurations, list the directory of the Card, select data recording and read status of the recorded data file..

Example for the storage of an Encoder configuration.

Acknowledge of correct writing after the WRITE button was activated

3.2 ARINC 429 Bus Data Recording

Nearly the same procedure must be done to store data (Click on the DA button). The used extension is here .ARI. If a Decoder configuration is done, pressing the WRITE button will start the data storage under the selected name. Button STOP will end the recording, close the file and return to the main menu.

The created data file starts with a in ASCII characters written date and time of the start of the recording.

Then follows the used parameter settings, that means the maximal 32 parameter records.

After this starts the data recording, which consists:

1. of the 32 Bit ARINC 429 raw data word

2. and a 32 Bit word, which contains a 24 Bit time information in steps of 20us.

To get for example the time between two words it is necessary to calculate the difference between the two counter words. In this example it is Hex FF55B8FA – FF55B85A = A0 , which is decimal 160*20 us = 3.2 Milliseconds

The end of the data recording is marked by the Number Hex 8765432112345678.

After this all in the data included labels are listed

In this example also Hex 03, 06, 07, 08, 28 … E0.

3.3 SD Card Directory

Button DR will show in a list of all files on the SD Card

3.4 Restore Saved Configurations

Any written configuration of Decoder or Encoder can be read back by selecting the CD or CE button at the SD Card Service menu.

This allows to use a nearly unlimited number of different applications.

By selecting one of the shown file names the DEL (delete) button will be activated. A click on this button can be used to remove the file from the card. ( !no restore possible )

Pressing the CANCEL button returns to the main menu.

For example a click on the CE button will show in a file list all available .EAF files.

By selecting one of them and pressing button READ the current Encoder configuration is replaced by the one of the file

The same procedure applies to read back Decoder configurations. A click at the CD button shows all on the card available .CAF files.

3.5 Data File Statistics

To test recorded data files button FS will show all available files with the extension .ARI. Selecting one of them and pressing the READ button will show the file statistic like creation date, used labels, file size and time between frames.

4.0 Set Time and Date.

To set the real time feature of the unit the TIME/DATE SET menu is available be selecting button RT in the main menu. The last valid time is shown.

A click at the to be changed number, for example minutes, will add a + above and a – button below the number. A click on them will then increment or decrease this number.Button SET will set the real time counter to the indicated time, button CANCEL will leaf the display without a change.

5.0 Hardware

5.1 External Connections

Two HDMI connectors are used for interface:

ARINC 429 in- and output (P4)Analog in- and outputs (P1)

Decoder input

Encoder output

5.2 Mechanical Data

Dimension 155 X 98 X 29 mm

Weight 380 grammes

5.2 Processor BoardFPGA Xilinx Spartan X3S1400AN25344 Xilinx Logic cells2 M byte internal Flash Memory2 M byte SRAM16 M byte Flash MemoryTouch Screen InterfaceDisplay Interface for 3.5” Hitachi TX09D40VM3CAA

External Power Supply (5.5 V 2A)

Power SwitchMicro SD Card

Battery charge indicationRed Green

Charge in progress Charging finished

5.3 Interface Board50 M Hz Oscillator (Processor Clock)4 ARINC429 receiver inputs (only one used)1 ARINC429 transmitter1 Real time Clock8 14 Bit Analog Digital converter8 14 Bit Digital Analog converter1 Micro SD card interface

Intern:JTAK connection for use of Altium Designer Hard- und SoftwareLiPo Accu charger1300 mA LiPo Accu 3,7V (for proximately 1 h runtime)

5.4 Hardware near Software (VHDL)

Tasking TSK3000 Softcore 32 Bit ProcessorAltium Wishbone Controller für SRAM, SDRAM und Flash Memory,Altium SPI Schnittstelle für ADC, DAC, Realtime, SD Card Altium Graphical User InterfaceIBG ARINC429 Encoder IBG ARINC429 Receiver