The Boeing 787-8 utilizes the Common Core System (CCS) to support the operation of multiple airplane systems, enhancing reliability, and reducing costs and weight. This system shifts from the traditional approach of dedicated units for each airplane system to centralized processing.
At the heart of the CCS (Common Core System) are software applications that calculate data for most airplane systems. Components of the CCS include:
Two Common Computing Resource (CCR) cabinets, named left and right. Each houses:
2 Power Conditioning Modules (PCM) which provide power for other modules.
8 General Processor Modules (GPM) which run software applications, manage databases, and handle system calculations.
2 ARINC 664 network Cabinet Switches (ACS).
2 Fibre Optic translator Modules (FOX), vital for data conversion between electrical and fibre optic formats.
2 Graphics Generators (GG), not part of the CCS but rather the Primary Display System.
Six ARINC 664 network Remote Switches (ARS) and 21 Remote Data Concentrators (RDC). The ARS and ACS switches ensure that data gets to the correct destinations, changing between fibre optic and electrical signal formats. RDCs act as intermediaries between the network switches and most airplane systems that don’t use ARINC 664. They convert data from various formats like analogue, ARINC 429, and CAN bus data to ARINC 664 format, and vice versa.
The CCR cabinets are in the forward electronic equipment bay, with positions defined by program pins. The system powers up automatically when the airplane is powered, with two startup modes: Uninhibited, involving a full power-up built-in test, and inhibited, where the system is ready in about 50 seconds under specific conditions.
The Common Data Network (CDN) facilitates data transfer between various aircraft systems and within the CCS. Many cockpit panel switches interface with the CDN through Panel Interface Pod (PIP) logic circuit card assemblies. The PIPs digitize panel switch position data, sending it to the CDN and receiving indication data from the CDN.
In summary, the CCS and CDN are integral parts of the Boeing 787, centralizing data processing and communication among airplane systems to optimize functionality and efficiency.
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