[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 242 (Monday, December 17, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65023-65024]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31002]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No. FAA-2001-11153]


Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) Hardware Elements.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT

ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and requests 
comments on a proposed Technical Standard Order (TSO) pertaining to 
integrated modular avionics hardware elements (IMA). The proposed TSO 
prescribes the criteria for the minimum performance standard (MPS) that 
IMA hardware element equipment must meet to be identified with the 
appropriate TSO marking.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 16, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed technical standard order 
to: Technical Programs & Continued Airworthiness Branch, AIR-120, 
Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification Service, Federal 
Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 815, 
Washington,

[[Page 65024]]

DC 20591. Or deliver comments to: Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Room 815, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591. 
Comments must identify the TSO file number.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Lewis, Technical Programs & 
Continued Airworthiness Branch, AIR-120, Aircraft Engineering Division, 
Aircraft Certification Service, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 815, Washington, DC 20591; Telephone 
No.--(202) 493-4841; FAX No.--(202) 267-5340; E-mail address--
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed TSO 
listed in this notice by submitting such written data, views, or 
arguments as they desire to the above specified address. Comments 
received on the proposed TSO may be examined, before and after the 
comment closing date, in Room 815, FAA Headquarters Building (FOB-10A), 
800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591, weekdays except 
Federal holidays, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. All communications 
received on or before the closing date for comments specified above 
will be considered by the Director, Aircraft Certification Service 
before issuing the final TSO.

Background

    Traditionally, avionics systems consisted of dedicated Line 
Replaceable Units (LRUs) which performed specific functions such as 
autoflight, flight management, and flight deck display. TSOs were 
written for these LRUs and their functions. Advancements in digital 
technology have created a trend toward higher levels of integration and 
modularity. In many modern integrated systems software determines 
functionality, while hardware serves as a platform for input, output, 
data storage, and software execution. Since these basic attributes tend 
to be similar for various applications, efficiencies can be gained by 
using various types of generic airborne hardware elements to execute 
these functions.
    This TSO refers to these generic hardware elements as ``IMA 
hardware elements'', which includes modules, cabinets, or racks. A 
module may contain software to enable electronic part marking and/or 
future loading of functional software. These modules will not function 
without being installed in specific cabinets or racks. Module types may 
include data processing modules, power supply modules, communication 
and data bus modules, or others. Cabinets or racks are use to host IMA 
modules. These cabinets or racks may be simple mechanical enclosures, 
or they may incorporate active cooling elements, power supplies, 
communication interfaces, backplanes for data and power, or any 
combination of these features.

How to Obtain Copies

    You may obtain a copy of the proposed TSO via Internet (http://av-info.faa.gov/software/drafts.htm) or on request from the office listed 
under For Further Information Contact. Copies of Document Nos. RTCA/DO-
160D (change 2), RTCA/DO-178B, and RTCA/DO-254 may be purchased from 
the RTCA Inc., 1828 L Street, NW., Suite 807, Washington, DC 20036 
(website: http://www.rtca.org). Aviation Recommended Practice number 
ARP-4754 may be obtained from the Society of Automotive Engineers, 
Inc., 400 Commonwealth Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001 (website: 
http://www.sae.org).
    You may inspect the RTCA documents at the FAA office location 
listed under ADDRESSES. However, RTCA documents are copyrighted and may 
not be reproduced without the written consent of RTCA, Inc.

    Issued in Washington, DC on December 11, 2001.
David W. Hempe,
Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-31002 Filed 12-14-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M