Application of Fiber Optics in Aircraft Control System & Its Development

Optic fiber technology has found increased applications with passage of time. The optic fiber technology offers numerous advantages over conventional technologies. The Fly-by-Wire technology brought about a revolution to flight control systems in an aircraft. Optic fiber technology is seen as the next generation in flight control systems. The Optic fiber technology in aerospace industry was first practically implemented in an airship. The fiber optics has added a new dimension to aircraft control systems in the form of Fly-By-Light (FBL) control system. Despite of all the features like light weight, compact size and exceptionally wide bandwidth, favorable for aviation design, practical application of technology in aviation has been constrained. To boost the fly-by-light concept, Fly-By-Light Systems Hardware (FLASH) program was launched by various agencies in aerospace industry. It is expected to pave the way for effective implementation of the FBL in a flying machine using Neural Network Technology. For exploitation of advantages of FBL concept, achieving cost effective solutions and formulating standards for the technology are vital. This paper reviews the architecture of conventional & fly-by-wire aircraft control systems and analyzes the advantages of fly-by-light over the systems in vogue.