AVT 327

 

AIRCRAFT COMMUNICATION, NAVIGATION AND PULSE SYSTEMS

 

FALL 2009

 

Instructor:        Dennis R. Hannon

                           Aviation Technologies Building, Room 142, Avionics Lab 2

                           Telephone:  618-453-9208/536-3371

                                                           

                           Email: dhannon@siu.edu 

 

                           Web Page: http://mypage.siu.edu/dhannon

 

                           Office Hours:  As posted, by appointment

                                                                                             

 Course Texts:  Principles of Avionics, Helfrick A., 1st (or later) Ed. (Required)

                              ISBN 1-88544-10-3 Appox  $90

                              Electronics, Principles and Applications, Schuler (Reference)

                              Digital Electronics; A Practical Approach, Kleitz (Reference)

                                                   Electronics: Principles and Applications, Sixth Edition           

 

 Materials:         Pocket Calculator with Log and Trig functions

                           5-10 sheets graph paper

                           Students may bring a laptop to class for note taking and

                           and uploading reference material. WiFi is not currently

                           available at AvTech

                                         

Course Description: This course will introduce the student to the theory of operation of traditional aircraft communication and navigation equipment including VHF transceivers, VOR receivers, ILS receivers, ADF receivers, transponders and DMEs. The systems presented will be discussed to the block diagram level. An emphasis will be placed on functional analysis of each system from a minimum operational performance perspective. Basic operational and trouble analysis techniques with typical aircraft electronics test equipment will be presented. This class will typically meet three hours per week for lecture and two hours per week for lab. This schedule may be altered slightly from time-to-time to accommodate either lecture or lab as required.  Lecture materials will be made available to students via CD ROM disc and Email.  Students will be required to acquire an SIU Email address during the first week of class.

 

 Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course each successful student will be able to:

                                  

1. Explain the operation of a basic communications receiver and transmitter.

 

2. Analyze and explain the operation of an aircraft COMM transceiver.

 

3. Analyze and explain the operation of an aircraft audio control system.

 

4. Demonstrate an understanding of the VOR system.

 

5. Explain the Instrument Landing System (ILS) currently in use.

 

6. Explain the operation of the Automatic Direction Finder (ADF) System.

 

7. Explain the operation of ATCRBS transponder and DME equipment.

 

8. Perform operational checks to verify minimum performance standards are

met for basic aircraft communication and navigation systems.

 

Lecture session topics:

 

Unit I

 

      1.  Receivers and Transmitters

 

      2.  VHF COM Transceivers

 

      3.  HF Transceivers

 

Unit II

 

      4.  VOR NAV System

 

      5.  Instrument Landing Systems (ILS/LOC/GS/MB)

 

      6.  Automatic Direction Finders (ADF/NDB)

 

      7.  Audio Control and Switching Systems

 

Unit III

 

      8.  ACTRBS Transponders

 

      9.  Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)

 

Grading:  Lecture tests will be administered on a regular basis for the topics outlined above.  Lecture points will comprise 2/3 of the student’s grade, lab assignments and class participation 1/3.  Final grades will be a function of points earned vs. points available at the end of the semester.  The grading scale is standard for the Aviation Technology Department.

 

 

Point Distribution:

 

    Unit Tests 3 @ 100 points          = 300

 

    Final Examination                       = 100

 

    Lab Assignments/Participation   = 100

 

    Lab Practical Examination          = 100

 

    Total Points Possible                  = 600

 

 

Grading Scale:

 

100% – 90% = A              540 – 600 points

 

   89% - 80% = B              480 – 539 points

 

   79% - 70% = C              420 – 479 points

 

   69% - 60% = D              360 – 419 points

 

 <60% =           F                      < 360 points

 

Tools and Supplies:  Each student is expected to have appropriate tools available for each laboratory period.    As a minimum, students should have a DMM, inspection mirror and flashlight.  Lockers and lockable drawers are available in the Aviation Technology building for tool storage, however students must assume primary responsibility for tool storage.