Thanks to the European Union's Research Framework Programmes (FP5 and FP6), the technologies for power and data transmissions over a unique path wires are now strongly developed. The OPERA project made feasible the High Speed/High Voltage transmissions for Power Line Communication. The U-Broad project demonstrated that Fast Ethernet (100 Mb/s) can be provided over existing telephone network cabling. TAUPE project is an extension of the application of these technologies within aircraft environment. Indeed this extension requires innovating solutions to address aeronautic-specific severe constraints (weight, space allocations, routes segregation, electro-magnetic compatibility, more complex electrical architecture, airworthiness, ruggedized network, dispatch and safety).
From POA and MOET results, the All Electric Aircraft is replacing conventional systems (hydraulic and pneumatic) with electric systems. But it is currently facing a drastic issue: the increase of the number of wires (each electric system needs a power supply and communication networks) with impacts on systems weight and space allocation. An elegant solution to save weight and space, is to use a unique path wire to transmit power and data. But even though the related technologies are now mature, each technology has its own specifications and dedicated chipset/wires architecture and is not compliant with the aeronautical environment. The aeronautic sector now needs innovative solutions to merge the architectures into one full avionics-shared electrical and communication network.
To support the All Electric Aircraft, TAUPE will define a fully optimized avionic architecture for power and data transmission on unique path wires (mixing the aircraft (A/C) power and communication networks). From this fully optimized architecture, the related specifications will be provided (harness wiring and network equipments) and requirements for systems qualification will be delivered.
The TAUPE results will address the ACARE SRA and the Work Programme (Cost Efficient Air Transport) thanks to: