Ground-tested control architecture for distributed aircraft fuel management

The SmarFuel project aims to develop a new generation of AFMS (Aircraft Fuel Management System). It proposes a Distributed Avionics Control Architecture (DACA) based on networked Smart Fuel Components (SFCs). This decentralized solution (opposite to conventionally-centralized approaches) reduces avionics wiring whilst the AFMS is fault tolerant. The DACA is realized by distributing the control system through microcontrollers embedded in SFCs and across a fieldbus. Thus, SFCs are able to implement advanced functions such as auto-calibration. The AFMS operation modes considered are three: pressure refueling, engine supply, and fuel transfer. The operation sequence of AFMS events is not fixed which makes the SFC decision-making process critical. The above DACA for AFMS was already realized and evaluated successfully in laboratory prototypes. This paper presents experimental results from verification and validation tests of the DACA realization carried out in a real-scaled helicopter rig. These ground experiments are based on the above fuel system operations. This paper also presents a verification tool for the SFC state machines. Conclusions and future research directions are also discussed.