[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 184 (Monday, September 23, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59591-59592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-24130]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No. FAA-2002-13373]


Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) Hardware Elements

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability for public comment.

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[[Page 59592]]

SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of and requests 
comments on a proposed Advisory Circular (AC) about integrated modular 
avionics hardware elements (IMA). The proposed AC establishes an 
acceptable means to obtain Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) 
airworthiness approval to install an Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) 
System that uses hardware elements authorized under Technical Standard 
Order (TSO)-C153, Integrated Modular Avionics Hardware Elements.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 12, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed AC to: Technical Programs 
& Continued Airworthiness Branch, AIR-120, Aircraft Engineering 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service,, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 835, Washington, DC 
20591. Or deliver comments to: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 
Room 835, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591. Comments 
must identify the AC 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 835, Washington, DC 20591; Telephone 
(202) 493-4841; Fax (202) 267-5340; e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    You are invited to comment on the proposed AC by submitting written 
data, views, or arguments to the above-specified address. Comments 
received on the proposed AC may be examined, before and after the 
comment closing date, in Room 835, 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. The Director, 
Aircraft Certification Service will consider all communications 
received on or before the closing date before issuing the final AC.

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 AC provides guidance on obtaining Federal Aviation 
Administration's (FAA) airworthiness approval to install Integrated 
Modular Avionics (IMA) systems that implement TSO-C153 authorized 
hardware elements. TSO-C153 refers to these 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 used 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 see and obtain a copy of the proposed AC through the FAA 
Web site at www.airweb.faa.gov by selecting ``Draft Advisory 
Circulars,'' or by inquiring at 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 form the RTCA Inc., 1828 
L Street, NW., Suite 807, Washington, DC 20036 (Web site: http://www.rtca.org). You can obtain Aviation Recommended Practice number ARP-
4754 from the Society of Automotive Engineers, Inc., 400 Commonwealth 
Drive, Warrendale, PA 15096-0001 (Web site: 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 September 16, 2002.
David W. Hempe,
Acting Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-24130 Filed 9-20-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M