Within the avionics eco-system, current federated architectures use specific hardware called Line Replaceable Units (LRU) defined into the ARINC standards and look like exemples shown in Figure 1-1.
These LRU units are usually large, heavy, bulky since they are self-contained in terms of connection, power and cooling functions. These units are racked into a chassis and to do so use large and robust connectors (ARINC 600 standard) to ensure they are correctly installed and connected.
Today there is a move towards Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) which are comprised of Line Replaceable Modules (LRM) allowing sharing and increase of functionalities across several electronic boards leading to a better optimized rationalisation of hardware ressources. These LRMs in the form factor of a ‘blade’ are light weight and contain only one Printed Circuit Board (See Figure 1-2).
LRMs take up less space and weight, and represent a huge improvement in terms of maintainability and scalability by allowing blade hot swap, easy modification as well as direct connection to the Electrical Wiring Interconnect System (EWIS) compared to the legacy ARINC 600 approach. Furthermore, these new IMA architectures provide the means for a better distribution of the systems or sub-systems across the airframe closer to where the functions are installed.
Overall objective of HARP project is to address and provide solutions to the following issues :
• a fully compatible set of physical interface solutions (connectors) based on the installation constraints
• high density of connections combined with modularity of signals (copper, fiber)
• -easy access ergonomics : a harnessing approach that can support simplified installation and maintenance of both the avionics systems and the aircraft wirings
• low insertion and extraction forces of electronic boards (blades)
The proposed HARP new connector range will be :
• Modular: to host different types of interfaces (power, frequency) within a constant installation dimensional envelop.
• Standard : based on industry proven building blocks and multi source
• Designed to cost: targeted production costs of the new connection solution is 50% below current equivalent solutions
• Ergonomic: easy connectors installation operation during electronic boards production. easy installation of connectors on aircraft harness side, as well as system structure. It shall be possible to rack/unrack without using any tool.
• Compatible with High connection points density
• Durable : connectors will allow for the blades to be mated / unmated at least 500 times
As detailed in the technical report, the results done on Cleasnky demonstrator connectors, allow to reach a TRL 6. Technical validation was share with the end user. For the moment, no business has been implemented.
