Abstract: A bus architecture has a central processing unit, a data line and bus users. The central processing unit and the bus users are connected to the data line via a bus interface. The data line is constructed as a ring and the central processing unit has two transceiver units which can be switched between transmit and receive modes. The central processing unit provides a clocked emission of data intended for the bus users. The bus users are successively connected to the data line, and each contains a monitoring unit, which is connected to the associated bus interface and is configured for activating a transmit activity of the bus interface only after receiving a synchronization message, and otherwise blocks this activity. In a method for exchanging data with such a bus architecture, a high fault tolerance, particularly when the data line is cut through, and error locating capability are achieved.

Abstract: A movement distance sensor operates as a differential transformer with a primary coil, at least two secondary coils. A circuit configuration is connected to the secondary coils in order to determine a movement distance. The circuit configuration includes a multiplexer, an A/D converter, and a digital logic module. The multiplexer is connected to the first and the second secondary coil via an input stage. The output of the multiplexer is connected to the input of the A/D converter and the output of the A/D converter is passed to the input of the digital logic module. The latter determines the movement distance from the input signals received alternately from the multiplexer. The measurement configuration exhibits high reliability with low error tolerances.

Abstract: An open-loop and closed-loop control unit for a safety-relevant apparatus, in particular for aviation applications, has a computer unit with a number of computer inputs and computer outputs, and a circuit unit with a number of circuit inputs and circuit outputs. The circuit unit has hardware components for simulating some of the logic operations that can be carried out in the computer unit. The circuit inputs and computer inputs that correspond to one another with respect to the simulated logic operations are each connected in parallel to a signal input line. The computer outputs and circuit outputs which correspond to one another with respect to the simulated logic operations are each connected to a decision-making unit, by which an output signal for open-loop control of the safety-relevant apparatus can be emitted as a function of the correspondence between the signals from the computer output and from the circuit output.

Abstract: This invention relates to a safety system for aircraft, wherein prohibited airspaces which aircraft may not enter are marked on a digitally stored image of the airspace, wherein the aircraft is provided with an automatic control device that automatically steers the aircraft on to an alternative route, which is situated outside the prohibited airspace, when the probability that the aircraft will enter the prohibited airspace exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A printed circuit card made of plastic has a carbonization sensor for protection against smoldering electrical fires. The carbonization sensor contains a first and a second conductor track disposed on the printed circuit card and also a monitoring device. The two conductor tracks are electrically insulated from one another by the plastic, and the monitoring device monitors an insulating state of the two conductor tracks in relation to one another and produces a fault signal. Local overheating of the printed circuit card is detected at an early time by the carbonization sensor, before an avalanche effect caused by the carbonization, which makes the printed circuit card electrically conductive, leads to a smoldering electrical fire.

Abstract: An aircraft cabin equipment control system has control hardware that includes a data processing apparatus and a plurality of interfaces for connection to items of cabin equipment of an aircraft, as well as equipment programs for controlling the cabin equipment. To simplify manufacture of the aircraft cabin equipment control system and to achieve more flexible power distribution within the aircraft, there is provided an aircraft cabin equipment control system which has a configuration manager that records and stores equipment data which characterize both the number of the items of cabin equipment to be controlled and also the type of the items of cabin equipment themselves, and on the basis of the equipment data in conjunction with data characterizing the aircraft to set up configurations which form the basis for control of the cabin equipment.

Abstract: An aircraft cabin equipment control system has control hardware that includes a data processing apparatus and a plurality of interfaces for connection to items of cabin equipment of an aircraft, as well as equipment programs for controlling the cabin equipment. To simplify manufacture of the aircraft cabin equipment control system and to achieve more flexible power distribution within the aircraft, there is provided an aircraft cabin equipment control system which has a configuration manager that records and stores equipment data which characterize both the number of the items of cabin equipment to be controlled and also the type of the items of cabin equipment themselves, and on the basis of the equipment data in conjunction with data characterizing the aircraft to set up configurations which form the basis for control of the cabin equipment.