Abstract

The Flight Management System (FMS) is playing an increasingly important role during the flight task of today's flights. This importance prompts a need to test the dynamic behaviors of the FMS in order to continue its development. The Dynamic Test Bed (DTB), simulating a real time flight in a laboratory environment, is an effective and economical way to test FMS functions. The primary structure and the basic functions of the DTB are built in a former thesis [31]. The further development of FMS also requires that DTB is further developed. In this thesis, some new important functions of DTB are developed, and are embedded into the DTB to enable the development of the FMS. First, the FMS VNAV mode that can be engaged for capturing the GPS approach glide slope is developed for the AFCS on the DTB. The DTB can be used to test the vertical guidance of the FMS through the VNAV mode. Second, an IRS navigation subsystem is developed for flight simulation; the DTB has the ability to test the IRS navigation of the FMS. Third, the DTB GUI is redesigned in such a way to increase its ergonomic functionality of the DTB. Finally, an ARINC 429 Channel Switching Software tool and its GUI are developed. This tool improves the flexibility of the DTB. All these new functions are also integrated into the DTB and tested at Concordia University, as well as at the FMS Test and Development Lab of CMC Electronics where the DTB is currently being used.