Integrating fly-by-light systems

The authors describe how new systems, technologies, and functions will be integrated into the ACAS (aircraft controls and avionics system) fly-by-light architecture, and discuss some of the current Douglas Aircraft development work associated with it. The ACAS integrated fly-by-light architecture will provide improved performance, operational capabilities, manufacturability and maintainability, upgradability, and cross type adaptability. The success of this highly integrated fly-by-light architecture is tied to multidisciplinary holistic development approach and the large-scale application of modularization. The application of fly-by-light technologies to control and sensing functions could substantially reduce the electromagnetic susceptibility of critical electronic flight control systems while preserving their benefits