CAN bus data logger for reliable logging of flight test data

Vector developed the GL1020FTE data logger for analyzing CAN bus communications in aircrafts. On February 26, 2014, the CAN bus data logger passed its first test trial aboard an A350 XWB MSN2 Airbus test aircraft. The device fulfills stringent requirements to be used as aircraft equipment and was designed according to the RTCA DO-160E standard.

The logger time-synchronously records up to 32 Gigabytes of data from two CAN channels and four analog measurement channels. It operates on layer 2 of the CAN protocol and is also able to acquire error frames, bus load and bus timing. Both long-term and event-triggered loggings are possible. To reduce data volume, the test engineer can define extensive filters and trigger conditions with a Windows-based logger configurator. The configurator software can be used to quickly upload the logged data via USB 2.0 and to convert the data to various formats for evaluation. Vector also offers high-performance software tools for offline data analysis such as CANoe, CANalyzer, CANape and CANgraph.

The hardware can withstand high accelerations up to 6 g and the vibrations that occur during operation; it can also handle temperatures between -40 and +85 degrees Celsius and flight altitudes up to 36,000 feet. It offers protection against indirect effects of lightning strikes as well. The rugged housing in orange signal color offers protection against dust and moisture in its compact size with dimensions of 208 x 120 x 37 mm. The logger is supplied with 28 Volt DC from the electrical system, and it can withstand peak voltages of up to 33 Volt; it can buffer voltage interruptions of up to 200 milliseconds.

It can be used in aircrafts with CAN networks such as galley, water & waste, environmental control, doors or de-icing systems.