The motion system electronics is put into a single cabinet housing all electronic components:
Amplifiers
Moog FCS uses state of the art digital amplifiers for their motion systems. These highly compact amplifiers have their power supply, shunt regulator, dump resistor, and capacitor units integrated. The digital controller allows all system and controller parameters to be set via a software user interface.
Control Panel
The control panel (front of cabinet, not shown) is used to switch the motion system on and off, and to reset the emergency interlock circuit(s).
Capacitor Units
For the higher payload systems, the amplifiers internal capacitor bank is extended with external capacitor units. The capacitors are used to store the (potential) energy when the motion system is moved down and release the same energy when it moves up, thus reducing the power consumption of the motion system.
Electric Break Units
For some applications and customers it is desirable that the motion system always settles, also when power is released or emergency buttons are pressed. In that case, the motion system can be equipped with electrical brake units that short-circuit the motor windings over a resistor during braking.
Digital I/O Connections
The motion realtime computer is equipped with a multi-channel digital input and output capability. Some of these channels are used for control of the motion system, while others are free for customer use. One important use of these I/O channels are the User Interlocks. The customer can install these switches (interlocks) in the simulator, simulator environment or instructor station to enhance the safety system.
Ramp Control
All motion systems can be equipped with an ingress/egress ramp that is fully controlled by the motion computer. The ramp can be equipped with extra safety sensors (IR-detection, for example) to ensure personnel safety during ramp movement.
Motion Realtime Computer
The Motion Realtime Computer (MRC) controls the motion system and its actuators. The Motion Realtime Computer comprises:
- Industrial PC with Intel® Pentium® III processor.
- Analog/digital Interface board to each servo amplifier.
- Digital interface board to the motion system’s logic functions.
- 100Mbit Ethernet interface board to the 100 Mbit hub.
- High speed modem.
A PC running the Moog FCSExplorer can interface with the motion computer either using the Ethernet or RS-232 interface. The modem card is added to support remote sessions of the Motion Explorer.
Motion Maintenance Computer
The Motion Cabinet contains a maintenance computer, which can be a laptop or a 19-inch solution with flat panel display and integrated keyboard. The computer is PC-based and uses Windows as operating system. The Moog FCSExplorer program runs on the Maintenance Computer. The maintenance computer is used for the following purposes:
- To execute system tests, e.g. the test of the Factory Acceptance
- To monitor the state of the motion system while the system is in operation
- To assist in the tuning of the motion software and servo loops
- To assist in trouble shooting activities.
In addition the maintenance computer is used to assist the customer in the development of the host-to-motion system software interface
