Aim FOL429-P User manual

V01.01 Rev. A
January 2017
FOL429-P
Portable
Standalone
Fibre Optic Link
for
ARINC429
Hardware
Manual

FOL429-P Hardware Manual
i
FOL429-P
Portable Standalone
Fibre Optic Link
for
ARINC429
V01.01 Rev. A
January 2017
AIM No.
60-90436-16-0101-A
Hardware
Manual

FOL429-P Hardware Manual
ii
AIM –Gesellschaft für angewandte Informatik und Mikroelektronik mbH
AIM GmbH
Sasbacher Str. 2
D-79111 Freiburg / Germany
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
[email protected]
AIM UK Office
Cressex Enterprise Centre, Lincoln Rd.
High Wycombe, Bucks. HP12 3RB / UK
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
[email protected]
AIM GmbH –Munich Sales Office
Terofalstr. 23a
D-80689 München / Germany
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
[email protected]
AIM USA LLC
Seven Neshaminy Interplex
Suite 211 Trevose, PA 19053
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
[email protected]
© AIM GmbH 2017
Notice: The information that is provided in this document is believed to be accurate.
No responsibility is assumed by AIM GmbH for its use. No license or rights are granted
by implication in connection therewith. Specifications are subject to change without
notice.

FOL429-P Hardware Manual
iii
DOCUMENT HISTORY
The following table defines the history of this document.
Version
Cover Date
Created by
Description
01.00 Rev A
19.01.2017
Matthias Lamp
First Release
01.01 Rev A
27.01.2017
Matthias Lamp
Add some clarifying description for
ARINC429 speed settings

FOL429-P Hardware Manual
iv
THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

FOL429-P Hardware Manual
v
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Title Page
1Introduction ............................................................................................................1
1.1 General........................................................................................................................................1
1.2 How This Manual is organized..................................................................................................2
1.3 Applicable Documents ..............................................................................................................2
2COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION AND CONNECTORS...........................................3
2.1 Component description.............................................................................................................3
2.2 Connectors and indicators........................................................................................................4
2.2.1 Rear plate ................................................................................................................................4
2.2.2 Front plate................................................................................................................................5
2.3 Connection to UUT or Analyser................................................................................................6
2.4 Power Supply, internal battery / battery charger....................................................................9
2.4.1 Power Supply Connector.......................................................................................................10
2.5 LED indicators..........................................................................................................................10
3TECHNICAL DATA................................................................................................11
4Notes .....................................................................................................................13
4.1 Acronyms..................................................................................................................................13
5Appendix...............................................................................................................15
5.1 Signal Propagation Delay measurements of the system.....................................................15
5.2 Certificate of Volatility.............................................................................................................16
5.3 Safety Instruction for Lithium batteries.................................................................................17

FOL429-P Hardware Manual
vi
LIST OF FIGURES
Table Title Page
Figure 1-1: FOL429-P system .........................................................................................1
Figure 2-1: FOL429-P connection ...................................................................................3
Figure 2-2: FOL429-P rear plate......................................................................................4
Figure 2-3: Front Plate FOL429-P-T................................................................................5
Figure 2-4: Front Plate FOL429-P-R ...............................................................................5
Figure 2-5: DSUB37 female.............................................................................................6
Figure 2-6: FOL429-P Power supply overview................................................................9
Figure 2-7: FOL429-P DC Power-Plug..........................................................................10
LIST OF TABLES
Figure Title Page
Table 2-1: Pinout DSUB37 RX ........................................................................................7
Table 2-2: Pinout DSUB37 RX ........................................................................................8

1. INTRODUCTION
FOL429-P Hardware Manual
1
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 General
This document comprises the Hardware User’s manual for the Fibre Optic Link (FOL)
System for ARINC429 link Extension.
Most test environments allow test equipment to be relatively close to the unit under
(UUT) test, so the maximum distances defined by the applicable avionics data bus
standards can be easily met.
However there can be circumstances, where the maximum distances between the UUT
and the monitor/simulator device have to be exceeded. In order to support such
scenarios, AIM GmbH have developed a fibre optical based system, which allows users
to connect commercial of the shelf avionics data bus test equipment over an extended
distance to the aircraft data bus or the unit under test.
The Fibre Optic Link (FOL) design is well proven and has successfully been deployed
with customer applications.
The FOL429 system provides up to 16 unidirectional channels and consists of 2 parts,
one Transmit unit called FOL429-P-T and the Receive Unit called FOL429-P-R.
Figure 1-1: FOL429-P system

1. INTRODUCTION
FOL429-P Hardware Manual
2
1.2 How This Manual is organized
The FOL429-P Hardware Manual is comprised of following sections.
Section 1 - Introduction - contains an overview of this manual.
Section 2 - System Overview and Component Description
describes the basic operation of the FOL429 system as well as the
component connections.
Section 3 - Technical Data - describes the technical specification of the FOL429-
P devices.
Section 4 - Notes - Acronyms
Section 5 - Appendix
1.3 Applicable Documents
The following documents shall be considered to be a part of this document to the extent
that they are referenced herein. In the event of conflict between the documents
referenced and the contents of this document, the contents of this document shall have
precedence.
Industry Documents:
[1] An Overview of ARINC 429 (AIM GmbH)
Product Specific Documents:
[2] Modular FOMIS, Requirement Specification V01.00 (AIM GmbH)
[3] FOMIS-V2, Hardware User’s Manual, AIM Document No.: 60-904xx-86-0410

2. COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION AND CONNECTORS
FOL429-P Hardware Manual
3
2 COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION AND CONNECTORS
2.1 Component description
The FOL429-P system contains of two components, the FOL429-P-T and FOL429-P-R
part. These two Parts establish a unidirectional link from the UUT to the analyser or
from the analyser to the UUT.
The following figure shows a typical connection, where data is transmitted from the UUT
to the analyser.
Figure 2-1: FOL429-P connection
FOL429-P-T (Transmit Unit)
Up to 16 ARINC429 channels (high with 100kBps ±1% or low speed with
12…14,5kBps) can be connected. The ARINC429 data is than transmitted over a fibre
optic Link to the receiving part.
FOL429-P-R (Receive Unit)
Over the fibre optic link, the label data information of up to 16 ARINC429 channels are
received, decoded and converted to ARINC429 output signals.
Note: At High Speed ARINC429 input signals, the FOL429 will always output high
speed ARINC429 signals with a speed of 101kBps. Lower speeds (e.g. 99kBps)
are “retimed” to this speed grade.
At low speed ARINC429 input signals, they are automatically detected and data
is appropriately transported over the fibre optic link. At this case, the ARINC429
signals are reconstructed with 12,5kBps.

2. COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION AND CONNECTORS
FOL429-P Hardware Manual
4
2.2 Connectors and indicators
2.2.1 Rear plate
Connectors and the LED on the rear plate of the FOL429-P-T and -R
Figure 2-2: FOL429-P rear plate
DSUB37 (female)
Connection to the ARINC429 Stub (LRU) or analyser.
FOL429-P-T: The ARINC channels are inputs
FOL429-P-R: The ARINC429 channels are outputs
DC Power Plug
hole diameter=2,5mm , Voltage range = 15..28VDC, minimum supply
current=1,5A
Charge LED
red LED, illuminate during battery charge, the intensity of the LED decrease
during end of charge.
Charge LED
DC-Power Plug
ARINC channels
•

2. COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION AND CONNECTORS
FOL429-P Hardware Manual
5
2.2.2 Front plate
The following figures show the Front Plate of the FOL429-P-T and FOL429-P-R.
Figure 2-3: Front Plate FOL429-P-T
Figure 2-4: Front Plate FOL429-P-R
ST-Connector ch. 0..7 (Transmit for optical fibre) ST-Connector ch. 8..15 (Transmit for optical fibre) Low Battery LED Power Switch Power LED
Link OK ch0..7 ST-Connector ch. 0..7 (Receiver for optical fibre) Link OK ch 8..15 ST-Connector ch. 8..15 (Receiver for optical fibre) Low Battery LED Power Switch Power LED

2. COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION AND CONNECTORS
FOL429-P Hardware Manual
6
Power LED
green LED, illuminate if the FOL429-P is switched on and supplied with power
from either the internal battery, or the external DC power supply.
Power switch
to switch on and off the FOL429-P, the charge of the internal battery is
independent of the switch, and starts as soon an external power supply is
connected.
Low battery LED
red LED, illuminate if the battery voltages becomes low.
ST-connector Receive (FOL429-P-R)
Receiver input of the fibre optic connection.
Line OK LED (FOL429-P-R)
illuminates when the incoming signal on the fibre optic is OK.
ST-connector Transmit (FOL429-P-T)
Transmitter output of the fibre optic connection.
2.3 Connection to UUT or Analyser
Figure 2-1: FOL429-P connection” shows the principal connection of the FOL429
system to the ARINC429 bus, the unit’s interconnection and to the BUS-Analyser / LRU.
Connection to the BUS-Analyser or LRU:
On the rear panel of the FOL429 Monitor Systems one female D-SUB connector
is located. Connect the D-SUB connector with your Analyser or your LRU.
front view
D-SUB 37 (female)
119
2037
Figure 2-5: DSUB37 female

2. COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION AND CONNECTORS
FOL429-P Hardware Manual
7
The following tables and figure shows the pin out of the 37pin D-SUB connector
which is used for the ARINC input and ARINC outputs.
Pin:
Signal Description:
Pin:
Signal description:
1
RX channel 0
20
RX# channel 0
2
RX channel 1
21
RX# channel 1
3
RX channel 2
22
RX# channel 2
4
RX channel 3
23
RX# channel 3
5
RX channel 4
24
RX# channel 4
6
RX channel 5
25
RX# channel 5
7
RX channel 6
26
RX# channel 6
8
RX channel 7
27
RX# channel 7
9
NC
28
NC
10
Ground
29
NC
11
NC
30
RX# channel 8
12
RX channel 8
31
RX# channel 9
13
RX channel 9
32
RX# channel 10
14
RX channel 10
33
RX# channel 11
15
RX channel 11
34
RX# channel 12
16
RX channel 12
35
RX# channel 13
17
RX channel 13
36
RX# channel 14
18
RX channel 14
37
RX# channel 15
19
RX channel 15
Table 2-1: Pinout DSUB37 RX

2. COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION AND CONNECTORS
FOL429-P Hardware Manual
8
Pin:
Signal Description:
Pin:
Signal description:
1
TX channel 0
20
TX# channel 0
2
TX channel 1
21
TX# channel 1
3
TX channel 2
22
TX# channel 2
4
TX / channel 3
23
TX# channel 3
5
TX channel 4
24
TX# channel 4
6
TX channel 5
25
TX# channel 5
7
TX channel 6
26
TX# channel 6
8
TX channel 7
27
TX# channel 7
9
NC
28
NC
10
Ground
29
NC
11
NC
30
TX# channel 8
12
TX channel 8
31
TX# channel 9
13
TX channel 9
32
TX# channel 10
14
TX channel 10
33
TX# channel 11
15
TX channel 11
34
TX# channel 12
16
TX channel 12
35
TX# channel 13
17
TX channel 13
36
TX# channel 14
18
TX channel 14
37
TX# channel 15
19
TX channel 15
Table 2-2: Pinout DSUB37 RX

2. COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION AND CONNECTORS
FOL429-P Hardware Manual
9
Interconnection of the optical fibre
Connect the TX ST-connectors of the FOL429-P-T unit with the RX ST-
connectors of the FOL429-P-R unit using a 62,5µm/125µm multimode gradient
index optical fibre.
The optical output of the FOL429-P-T [Out Ch. 0..7] should be connected to the
optical input of the FOL429-P-R [In Ch. 0...7] and the optical output of the
FOL429-P-T [Out Ch. 8..15] should be connected to the optical input of the
FOL429-P-R [In Ch. 8..15]
On the receiver part of the optical connection, a LED (Line OK) indicates that the
input power of the optical link is high enough, and the optical parameters are in
valid ranges.
2.4 Power Supply, internal battery / battery charger
The FOL429-P can be supplied from an external power supply, or from the internal
battery. Whenever the external power supply is connected, the charge of the battery
starts. During the charge of the battery an LED illuminates. If the battery capacity
becomes low, the low battery LED illuminates. In this case the external power supply
should be connected to supply the FOL429-P and charge the battery. The following
figure illustrates the different power paths in the FOL429-P.
power path and
battery charge controll
VIN=15..28VDC, Imin=1,3A
internal
LiIon battery
~20Wh
external
DC-power
supply
FOL1553-P
source and sink
power path
external supply
power path charge
power path
internal battery
Figure 2-6: FOL429-P Power supply overview
The FOL429-P system operation time with the internal battery is dependent from the
operation condition (load/ number of channels,..) and from the FOL429 Type (RX/TX).
The typical operation time is listed in the Technical Data chapter.
The Low Battery LED will illuminate approximately in the last 2..10 min before the
integrated security circuit of the battery will disconnect itself from the FOL429-P.
In this case, a correct data transmission can’t be guaranteed.
The charging of the internal battery starts immediately when the external DC power
supply is connected. The charging time is depending whether the FOL429-P is switched
on or off and on the operation conditions of ARINC429 interfaces.
FOL429-P
Internal
Lithium Battery

2. COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION AND CONNECTORS
FOL429-P Hardware Manual
10
If the FOL429-P is switched off, the charging time is lower than when the System is
operational. The typical operation time is listed in the Technical Data chapter.
Note: The temperature range, where the batteries can be charged is limited to
0…45°C.
Note: For storage use a state of charge of app. 70% is recommended
2.4.1 Power Supply Connector
On the rear plate of the FOL429-P unit, a DC power jack (2,5mm) is located. The
FOL429-P accepts an external DC power supply with a voltage in the range of
UEXTERN=15…28VDC, and a minimum current of 1,3A.
Note: The internal DC-DC converters have the highest efficiency on an input voltage
of UEXTERN≈15VDC.
The following figure shows connection of the plug. The positive voltage is the inner hole,
whereas the negative voltage the outer ring is. The diameter of the inner hole is 2,5mm.
d=2,5mm
Figure 2-7: FOL429-P DC Power-Plug
2.5 LED indicators
Charge LED
this red LED on the rear side of the FOL429-P illuminate during the charge of the
internal LiIon battery pack.
Line OK LED
these yellow LED’s illuminate if the received signals over the fibre optic are valid.
Power LED
Illuminate if the FOL429-P is plugged on. Either supplied from the external DC
power supply, or from the internal battery pack. The power Led is green.
Low battery LED
these red LED starts to illuminate, if the battery capacity becomes low. When the
LED illuminate, there is approximately 2...10min (depending of the load) time
before the integrated security circuit will disconnect the battery from the FOL429-
P. To prevent oscillating a hysteresis between the on and off point is
implemented.

3. TECHNICAL DATA
FOL429-P Hardware Manual
11
3 TECHNICAL DATA
FOL429-P-T (Transmit Unit)
ARINC429
channels 16 ARINC429 inputs
High Speed High speed with 100kBps ±1%
Low Speed Low speed with 12…14,5kBps
Optical part:
wavelength λ= 1300nm
fibre Ф= 62,5 / 125µm
mode = multi-mode gradient index
o/p power o/p > -18dBm
Connectors
ARINC429 inputs 37pin D-SUB (female)
Fibre output ST-Connectors
Power DC Connector 2,5mm
LED Indicators
Low Battery red Data transmission can’t be guaranteed
Power green FOL429-P operational
Line OK yellow optical connection OK
charge red charge of the internal battery
Battery Pack
3 cell Lithium Ion battery pack, with integrated security circuit
nominal voltage 11,2V
capacity 2600mAh; ~29Wh
Battery operating time:
FOL429-P-T = ~6h
Charge:
Charge current 1,1A
Charge time ~3:30h (FOL429-P is switched off)
~4:30h (FOL429-P is operating)
Power:
VDCIN = 15..28VDC, min. 1,3A
Dimensions:
height: = 37mm
width: = 138mm
length: = 218mm
Weight:
~1kg without ext. pwr. supply
Temperature:
T = 0…+45°C Standard Operating
and battery charge
T = 15…+60°C Extended
NO BATTERY CHARGE
T = -20…+60°C Storage
Humidity:
0..95% non condensing

3. TECHNICAL DATA
FOL429-P Hardware Manual
12
FOL429-P-R (Receive Unit)
ARINC429
channels 16 ARINC429 outputs
Optical part:
wavelength λ= 1300nm
fibre Ф= 62,5 / 125µm
mode = multi-mode gradient index
input power >=-18dBm 1)
Connectors
ARINC429 outputs 37pin D-SUB (female)
Fibre inputs ST-Connectors
Power DC Connector 2,5mm
LED Indicators
Low Battery red Data transmission can’t be guaranteed
Power green FOL429-P operational
Line OK yellow optical connection OK
charge red charge of the internal battery
Battery Pack
3 cell Lithium Ion battery pack, with integrated security circuit
nominal voltage 11,2V
capacity 2600mAh; ~29Wh
Battery operating time
FOL429-P-R =.~4h
Charge:
Charge current 1,1A
Charge time ~3:30h (FOL429-P is switched off)
~4:30h (FOL429-P is operating)
Power:
VDCIN = 15..28VDC, min. 1,3A
Dimensions:
height: = 37mm
width: = 138mm
length: = 218mm
Weight:
~1kg without ext. pwr. supply
Temperature:
T = 0…+45°C Standard Operating
and battery charge
T = 15…+60°C Extended
NO BATTERY CHARGE
T = -20…+60°C Storage
Humidity:
0..95% non condensing
1) The optical Transmitter/ Receiver modules are designed for a data
communication over several hundred of meters, which imply the corresponding
attenuation on the fibre connection. If the FOL429-P-T and FOL429-P-R are
connected via short jumper cables, then communication failures on the fibre optic
link may happen, because of saturation effects on the optical receiver unit.