Subminiature, Multi-Functional Air Data System

Position Measurement & Control - Issue 50

PRODUCT FOCUS

Subminiature, Multi-Functional Air Data System

Vote for Product of the Year

SpaceAge Control's subminiature air data system has been selected as a finalist for PD&Ds 12th Annual Engineering Award.

Figure A1: A few of the configurations of the SpaceAge Control subminiature air data system showing combinations of AOA, AOS, and pitot-static on a variety of mounts

The 101100 subminiature air data system is a modular, all-in-one solution that gives total pressure, static pressure, angle of attack, angle of sideslip, and temperature outputs. When connected to an appropriate air data computer or data acquisition system, altitude, airspeed, stall warning, outside air temperature, and other flight information can be captured for production and test purposes. The modular design allows users to specify the precise air data collection solution they require. It is a lightweight, small, comprehensive, and modular solution designed specifically for the requirements of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), light aircraft, and other vehicles. The comprehensive nature of the product, combined with its small size and modular nature, allow designers and engineers to minimize the design effort required for capturing air data information.

TECHNICAL CORNER

Displacement Cable Sag (Catenary Curve)

What Error Results from Loads on the Displacement Cable?

Q. If the displacement cable is acted upon by gravity or another force, what is the effect on the position transducer's accuracy?

A. Because the mass of the cable per unit length is so small and the cable tension is relatively high, cable sag does not generally produce significant error unless the cable length is exceptionally long (over 60 feet). Visit our Displacement Cable Sag (Catenary) Calculator for more details on this effect.

ISSN 1527-5108 • Document Number S050AI(070123)