TTTech's TTP selected for BAE Systems' flight control computer on Embraer's new award winning fly-by-wire system

TTTech, the leading supplier of dependable networking solutions based on time-triggered technologies and modular safety platforms, has been selected by BAE Systems to provide commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products based on the Time-Triggered Protocol (TTP) for flight computers in Embraer's award-winning fly-by-wire system, designed for Legacy 450 and 500 business jets.

Embraer was named Innovator of the Year in the 2010 Flight Global Achievement Awards for introducing fly-by-wire into the midsize and midlight business jet segments. The Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 business jets are the only aircraft in their segment equipped with advanced fly-by-wire electronic flight controls.  Supplied by Parker Aerospace, the digital fly-by-wire system includes aileron, elevator, and rudder actuators; remote electronic units; and a flight control computer.   The flight control computer is being developed by BAE Systems and will provide a lightweight, high-integrity solution that reduces fuel consumption and pilot workload.

"We have been evaluating TTP for several years and finally decided to use it in the Legacy 450/500 fly-by-wire programs. TTP, due to its features and cross-industry usage, is the most promising, highly reliable and advanced solution for our flight control computer", says Andy Buckley, Program Manager at BAE Systems. "TTTech technology and products based on TTP allow us to build a highly modular, scalable and cost-efficient solution for fly-by-wire applications."

TTP is standardized as SAE AS6003 "TTP Communication Protocol". With its capability to support up to 25 Mbit/s per channel, it offers substantially higher bandwidth compared to CAN, MIL STD-1553 and ARINC 429. In addition to its networking capability, TTP is designed as a modular distributed platform technology with additional functions for enhancing fault isolation, system health monitoring, and redundancy management. This helps to reduce system complexity, simplifies software design and certification, enables reuse, and facilitates faster time-to-market. TTP products were certified on several programs according to DO-254 and DO-178B up to level A.

"We are very honored to work together with BAE Systems, a globally recognized leader in fly-by-wire systems", states Georg Kopetz, Member of Executive Board at TTTech Computertechnik AG. "Our products enable design of innovative fly-by-wire systems for modern and efficient aircraft. We are committed to serving BAE Systems with the best value for their flight control computer system."