Air Data Unit Design
AIR DATA UNIT (ADU) DESIGN
About the Client
The client is a market leader in defense sector.
Business need
The client envisaged to design an Air Data Unit (ADU) which is a device that measures aerodynamic parameters (air data) such as air speed, altitude, air
temperature etc for defense industry. ALTEN Calsoft Labs designed ADU hardware and software around TI DSP and Holt ARINC controller including implementation of ARINC 429 protocol. Its features include:
- A hardware design that would meet all functional and statutory defense requirements so as to match with the specifications of an existing imported unit.
- To have the hardware supporting the ARINC 429 protocol
- Stringent MIL grade certification


Solution delivered
ADU measures static and differential pressures using 2 pressure sensors and impact pressure using the temperature probe (PT-100). ADU transmits these
air data parameters via two identical ARINC 429 digital lines.
Provision is also made to calculate according to pin-program, correct & incorrect air data. ADU has built-in features for self tests to check the hardware and software integrity.
Architecture of ADU is centered on TMS320F2812 DSP chip, which is interfaced with temperature and pressure sensors. DSP performs complex arithmetic based on pressure readings to calculate various aerodynamic parameters.
Business benefits
ADU measures static and differential pressures using 2 pressure sensors and impact pressure using the temperature probe (PT-100). ADU transmits these
air data parameters via two identical ARINC 429 digital lines.
Provision is also made to calculate according to pin-program, correct & incorrect air data. ADU has built-in features for self tests to check the hardware and software integrity.
Architecture of ADU is centered on TMS320F2812 DSP chip, which is interfaced with temperature and pressure sensors. DSP performs complex arithmetic based on pressure readings to calculate various aerodynamic parameters.
- Precisely accurate

Technology stack
- Hardware: TI DSP 2812, RS232, ARINC interface, GPIO, DAC, ADC
- Software: DSP Firmware, Code composer studio, ARINC 429
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