Course Title: Avionics and ATM Systems

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Avionics and ATM Systems

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

AERO2515

City Campus

Postgraduate

115H Aerospace, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2016

AERO2515

City Campus

Postgraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024

Course Coordinator: Dr. Annie Liang

Course Coordinator Phone: email for appointment

Course Coordinator Email: man.liang@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Bundoora East 251.03.021

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

There are no prerequisites for this course.
It is assumed you have a basic understanding of aircraft systems and operations.


Course Description

This course aims to address fundamental topics in Aviation Electronics (Avionics) systems and software engineering. The course will cover the theoretical principles of the underlying technologies and provide an overview of the principles of electronic equipment incorporated in modern avionics and Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems. The course will further explore architectures, functions and operations of existing avionic systems (communication and navigation systems, flight instrumentation, flight control systems, etc.) and will provide an understanding of modern Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management and Avionics (CNS+A) concepts, including design, test/evaluation, and certification challenges.

We will examine how these systems contribute to the safe, reliable and efficient operation of modern aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). Particular emphasis is given to emerging technologies (sensors, systems, data fusion algorithms, etc.) aiming to improve safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability of aircraft and RPAS in the current and next generation ATM framework (in line with SESAR and NextGen modernisation initiatives). In addition, the distinctive characteristics of avionic systems used in military aircraft and RPAS are discussed (mission systems, automated/autonomous systems, etc.).


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for students who commenced their program prior to 2023:

1. Needs, Context and Systems

  • Describe, investigate and analyse complex engineering systems and associated issues (using systems thinking and modelling techniques)

2. Problem Solving and Design

  • Anticipate the consequences of intended action or inaction and understand how the consequences are managed collectively by your organisation, project or team
  • Develop and operate within a hazard and risk framework appropriate to engineering activities

4. Professional Practice

  • Initiate, plan, lead or manage engineering activities
  • Understand the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of contemporary engineering practice in the specific discipline
  • Apply systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects
  • Demonstrate effective team membership and team leadership
  • Demonstrate orderly management of self, and professional conduct. 

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for students who commenced their program in 2023:

  • PLO2: Utilise mathematics and engineering fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to design engineering systems for complex engineering challenges.    
  • PLO3: Apply engineering research principles, methods and contemporary technologies and practices to plan and execute projects taking into account ethical, environmental and global impacts.  
  • PLO5: Communicate respectfully and effectively with diverse audiences, employing a range of communication methods, practising professional and ethical conduct.


Upon successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Integrate specialised and advanced skills with a developed knowledge of avionic and ATM systems.
  2. Implement advanced systems engineering concepts, analyse and assess the performance characteristics, maintainability/reliability features of modern avionics (software and hardware).
  3. Apply software and hardware safety assessment techniques to the design of avionic systems.
  4. Analyse total CNS+A system performance in terms of safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability based on individual systems and equipment.
  5. Identify and being able to distinguish between avionic systems used in civil/military aircraft and RPAS.
  6. Apply Human Factors Engineering principles to the design of avionic systems and flight deck/cockpit interfaces.
  7. Identify and apply international regulations, standards and practices in avionics engineering.
  8. Identify and critically evaluate the advantages and limitations of modern avionics and emerging technologies.
  9. Generate, research and explore ideas, concepts and processes in avionic and ATM systems through integrated creative, critical and reflective thinking.
  10. Initiate, lead, negotiate and interact with others in planning, adapting to and executing projects.
  11. Synthesise information from various resources to identify solutions to problems within the aerospace and aviation community.
  12. Interpret, communicate and present complex work and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences using professional conventions.


Overview of Learning Activities

Learning activities include pre-recorded lectures, tutorials, laboratory demonstrations, directed reading, and interactive sessions.  The learning process is reinforced through quizzes, an industry-based design project carried out in groups and an individual assignment.


Overview of Learning Resources

Detailed information on the Course-related resources will be provided on Canvas. These can  include prescribed and suggested textbooks, lecture slides and other learning materials provided by the course lecturer(s), journal/conference reference publications, applicable design standards and approved links to useful external web-sites. Relevant Subject Guides are available from the Library at http://rmit.libguides.com/aerospaceeng and http://rmit.libguides.com/standards).


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment tasks

Assessment Task 1
Quizzes
Weighting: 20% of total course mark;
This assessment task supports CLOs: 1 – 8

Assessment Task 2
Group Assignment
Weighting: 40% of total course mark;
This assessment task supports CLOs: 1 – 12

Assessment Task 3
Individual Assignment
Weighting: 40% of total course mark;
This assessment task supports CLOs: 1 – 12