Avionics - Avionics System Integration Quiz(MCQ)

1 .

Which of the following is false with respect to AIRNIC?

A)

Non-profit organization

B)

Used only in America

C)

Define system and equipment specification

D)

Run by civil airlines with industry and establishment representation

Correct Answer : Used only in America

Explanation : ARINC is a non-profit-making organization in the USA which is run by the civil airlines with industry and establishment representation, which defines systems and equipment specifications in terms of functional requirements, performance and accuracy, input and output interfaces, environmental requirements and physical dimensions and electrical interfaces. For example, air data computers, attitude heading reference systems, INS, communication radio equipment, data bus systems, etc. Although it is a US based company the system standard is worldwide.

2 .

What is the fastest mode of data communication between components in aircraft?

A)

Fiber optic cable

B)

Coaxial cable

C)

Twisted pair cable

D)

Radio communication

Correct Answer : Fiber optic cable

Explanation : A single screened twisted pair of wires only is required with such an encoding system to transmit information data rates of up to 1 to 2 Mbits/s. Higher data rates of up to 100 Mbits/s can be transmitted using a suitably screened coaxial electrical cable and information at even higher data rates can be transmitted as coded light pulses using a fibre optic cable. Radio communication is not for data transfer between aircraft components.

3 .

Which one of the following is the major difference between single mode and multi mode fibers?

A)

Core material

B)

Cladding material

C)

Cladding diameter

D)

Core diameter

Correct Answer : Core diameter

Explanation : The major difference between single mode fibre and multi-mode fibre is that the core diameter of single mode fibre is of the same order of magnitude as the wavelength of the light source (laser diode). Pulse dispersion is reduced in single mode fiber.

4 .

What property does data transmission in fiber optic cable exploit?

A)

Refraction

B)

Diffraction

C)

Dispersion

D)

Total internal reflection

Correct Answer : Total internal reflection

Explanation : The transmission of light signals along any optical fibre depends on the optical property of total internal reflection. The transmitted light pulses get reflected by the cladding in the fiber cable at the same time move in the forward direction. One main disadvantage of fiber optic cable is that it cannot be easily bent.

5 .

In an aircraft, serial data transfer is achieved by _____

A)

Pulse Modulation

B)

Code Division Multiplexing

C)

Time division Multiplexing

D)

Frequency Division Multiplexing

Correct Answer : Time division Multiplexing

Explanation : The individual avionic sub-systems are interconnected by means of a digital data bus system. This enables the system to communicate with each other and transfer serial data information using time division multiplexing.

6 .

What type of avionic architecture consist of a number of an interconnected but functionally independent subsystem with some degree of central computer of overall operating modes.

A)

IMA architecture

B)

Federated architecture

C)

Disjoint architecture

D)

Distributed architecture

Correct Answer : Federated architecture

Explanation : Federated architectures essentially consist of a number of interconnected but functionally independent sub-systems with some degree of central computer control of overall operating modes. System is loosely coupled and are connected via a time shared multiplex highway.

7 .

How are Data bus in avionics architecture broadly divided into?

A)

Electrical and Optical data bus

B)

AIRNIC and MIL standard data bus

C)

High speed and low speed data bus

D)

Main and interconnecting data bus

Correct Answer : Electrical and Optical data bus

Explanation : Data bus systems are the essential enabling technologies of avionic systems integration in both federated and integrated modular avionics architectures. They can be broadly divided into electrical data bus systems where the data are transmitted as electrical pulses by wires, and optical data bus systems where the data are transmitted as light pulses by optical fibres.

8 .

What type of cable does MIL STD 1553 use?

A)

Coaxial cable

B)

Fiber optic cable

C)

Single twisted pair cable with shielding

D)

Single twisted pair cable without shielding

Correct Answer : Single twisted pair cable with shielding

Explanation : The MIL STD 1533 bus is formed as a single twisted cable pair with one layer of shielding and jacketing and with a maximum length of 100 m (328 ft). Although direct coupling to the bus is allowed, this is generally not used in order to avoid the risk of one terminal shorting out the bus. The bus connection is typically via a transformer coupled stub so that shorting of the stub is isolated from the bus.

9 .

The type of Ethernet data bus adapted for airborne applications is ___

A)

Multiplexed Ethernet

B)

Airborne Duplex Ethernet

C)

Airborne Simplex Ethernet

D)

Avionics Full Duplex Switched Ethernet

Correct Answer : Avionics Full Duplex Switched Ethernet

Explanation : The version which has been adapted for airborne applications is known as the ‘Avionics Full Duplex Switched Ethernet’, which has been shortened to ‘AFDX Ethernet’ network. It meets the civil aircraft avionic system requirements in all aspects and its commercially sourced components make it a very competitive system.

10 .

Which one of the following is not a true with respect to integrated modular avionics architecture?

A)

Increased life cycle

B)

Reduces weight

C)

Easy maintenance

D)

Hardware independent software

Correct Answer : Increased life cycle

Explanation : An integrated modular avionics architecture system reduces weight as the processors are centralized and relatively fewer components are required. It is also easy for maintenance as each component is a separate block which can be repaired or replaced easily. Modular avionics architecture ensures that the software used is hardware independent and can be updated in the future. However they do not ensure increased life cycle of the components, the life cycle of a component is same if the architecture is modular or any other type.

11 .

The architecture where each component had its own sensors, processing and display is called as ________

A)

Federated architecture

B)

Centralized architecture

C)

Open system architecture

D)

Disjoint or independent architecture

Correct Answer : Disjoint or independent architecture

Explanation : Disjoint architecture is a First generation architecture where the avionics systems were stand alone black boxes which had separate sensors, processors and displays and were linked together by point to point wiring.

12 .

Which one of the following is not true with respect with centralized architecture?

A)

Requires long data buses

B)

Complex design

C)

Software can be written easily

D)

Computers are in readily accessible bay

Correct Answer : Complex design

Explanation : The centralized architecture is one where all the components are linked to a single main frame computer for processing. The design is simple and software preparation and update is easy as the computer is easily accessible but requires long data buses running from the component to the computer which increases weight.

13 .

What type of communication does the MQ-9 'reaper' UCAV use?

A)

Radio

B)

Satellite

C)

Infrared

D)

Microwave

Correct Answer : Satellite

Explanation : Since the MQ-9 has an endurance of 28hrs and range of 3,200nm it needs a communication system that is not affected by the curvature of the Earth. Satellite communication system is best suited for this as a minimum of 3 satellites is enough to have communication around the world using the technique of triangulation.

14 .

What is the altitude of HALE?

A)

30,000ft

B)

40,000ft

C)

50,000ft

D)

70,000ft

Correct Answer : 50,000ft

Explanation : HALE corresponds to High Altitude and Long Endurance aircraft. It has a service ceiling of 50,000ft and an endurance greater than 20hrs.

15 .

Which one of the following is false with respect to TRN?

A)

Low accuracy

B)

Unjammable

C)

self contained

D)

No external systems needed

Correct Answer : Low accuracy

Explanation : Terrain reference navigation, TRN, systems are used in cruise missiles and aircraft. One of the major advantage in UAV/UCAV applications is that they are completely self-contained and unjammable as well as of high accuracy. They are completely independent of any external systems such as satellites or ground stations.

16 .

What is the failure probability for a UAV?

A)

10/hour

B)

10²/hour

C)

10^-3/hour

D)

10^-5/hour

Correct Answer : 10^-5/hour

Explaination : Since the UAV is unmanned its failure would not be fatal, the failure probability for a UAV is less than that of a normal aircraft with a figure of 10^-5/hour. Although, a failure might cause damage to the UAV and where it falls. The failure probability differs from mission to mission.

17 .

What is the cost-effective solution for UAV displays?

A)

HUDs

B)

HDDs

C)

HFDs

D)

HMDs

Correct Answer : HMDs

Explanation : Since the UAV is unmanned it does not require HDD or HUD but since the pilot is going to be on the ground controlling the UAV, HMDs are considered to be cost-effective and also show good performance and situational awareness.

18 .

What type of avionic architecture is used in the JSF?

A)

Pave pillar avionic architecture

B)

Centralized avionic architecture

C)

Advanced integrated avionic architecture

D)

Hierarchical avionic architecture

Correct Answer : Advanced integrated avionic architecture

Explanation : The Joint Strike Fighter’s sensors, communications, and flight-control systems will blend together more tightly than any other combat aircraft in history, and will revolve around high-speed fiber-optic data buses and powerful commercial off-the-shelf microprocessors using advanced integrated avionic architecture.

19 .

Which avionic architecture allows the existence of heavily armed single seat fighters with a variety of weapons?

A)

Centralized architecture

B)

Pave pillar architecture

C)

Distributed architecture

D)

Federated architecture

Correct Answer : Pave pillar architecture

Explanation : In a typical single seat fighter aircraft the pilot has to play the role of both controlling the aircraft and weapons management as opposed to a twin seat aircraft where the pilot flies the plane and the RIO or Radar Intercept Officer manages the weapons. Pave pillar architecture allows the pilot to be the weapons system manager without which single seat fighter aircraft like F-22 and the F-35 would not have been possible.

20 .

Which type of avionic architecture was the first to use DIAS?

A)

Pave pillar architecture

B)

Federated architecture

C)

Centralized architecture

D)

Open system architecture

Correct Answer : Federated architecture

Explanation : Federated avionic architecture is a type of second generation architecture in which the data from each avionic component was converted into digital information and sent to the main frame computer. This technology was called the DIAS or Digital Avionics Information System.

21 .

What advantage does the concept of IS2 add to the pave pace avionic architecture?

A)

Cost reduction

B)

Easy maintenance

C)

Better performance

D)

Software compatibility

Correct Answer : Cost reduction

Explanation : The total cost of sensors used in avionic systems costs around 70% of the total avionic system. IS2 is the concept of an integrated sensor system in which the sensors are shared by different avionic components thus reducing the overall cost.