FDS-Initium, Flight Data Pressure Scanning System

The Initium – Flight Data System (FDS) is a ruggedized fully integrated instrument consisting of a dual microprocessor-based Data Acquisition and Control Unit (DACU) and Digitally Temperature Compensated Electronic Pressure Scanners (ESP) designed specifically for onboard vehicle pressure monitoring. The FDS is capable of operating up to eight miniature 32 or 64 channel pressure scanners, equipped with Digital Temperature Compensation (DTC). The FDS will perform all pressure data acquisition duties and calculate engineering unit conversions internally while transmitting temperature corrected pressure data back to the host over an UDP or TCP/IP Ethernet connection in-flight.

The FDS utilizes calibration data stored on-board the ESP Scanners to correct for non-linearity and thermal shifts while an on-line re-zero corrects for any zero drift of the sensors. The FDS supports all DTC Scanner functions including programmable deranging capability, sensor temperature readouts, and internal calibration valve shift control and position detection. “Live @ Power up” mode uses stored scanner configurations to greatly reduce initialization times and automatically return to data acquisition, perfect for unintended power cycle events. Communication is via TCP/IP protocol for configuration while acquired data is transmitted via UDP Multicast direct to the user’s data recording hardware or Host Group (IGMP).