[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 169 (Thursday, September 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 52150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17383]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Proposed Advisory Circular (AC) 20-DATABUS, Aviation Databus 
Assurance

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availably of and requests comments 
on a proposed Advisory Circular (AC) 20-DATABUS, Aviation Databus 
Assurance. This proposed AC provides guidance for manufacturers of 
aircraft, aircraft engine, and avionics incorporating databuses and 
databus technology in the design of their aircraft, aircraft engine, or 
avionics systems. In the proposed AC, we recommend how you as the 
manufacturer, may get design and airworthiness approval for your 
databus.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 16, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Send all comments on the proposed AC to: Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Aircraft Certification Service, Aircraft 
Engineering Division, Technical Programs and Continued Airworthiness 
Branch, AIR-120, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591. 
ATTN: Mr. John Lewis, or deliver comments to: Federal Aviation 
Administration, Room 825, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20591.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Lewis, AIR-120, Room 835, 
Federal Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification Service, 
Aircraft Engineering Division, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20591. Telephone (202) 493-4841, FAX: (202) 267-5340. 
Or, via e-mail at: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to comment on the proposed AC 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 AC may be examined, before and after the comment closing date, 
in Room 825, FAA Headquarters Building, 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 will be considered by the Director, Aircraft Certification 
Service, before issuing the final Advisory Circular.

Background

    Aircraft, aircraft engine, and avionics manufacturers may choose 
from several databus configurations for use on aircraft. The function 
of a databus is to transfer information between avionics modules, 
components, or line replaceable units (LRU) installed in an aircraft. 
As such, these databuses are becoming more complex as aircraft, 
aircraft engine, and avionics manufacturers integrate more avionics 
components into the aircraft and aircraft engine data sources, 
resulting in large data transfers between data buses. System design 
engineers have considerable flexibility when designing a databus 
because of the many physical and logical configurations for airborne 
systems architecture, data units or packets, protocols, message 
traffic, and so on, thereby providing manufacturers, vendors, and 
integrators more latitude when configuring databuses. This proposed AC 
contains the criteria applicants must address when developing, 
selecting, or integrating databus technology they will use to show 
compliance with the appropriate certification requirements for their 
aircraft or aircraft engine.

How To Obtain Copies

    You may get a copy of the proposed AC from the Internet at: 
www.airweb.faa.gov/rgl. Once on the RGL Web site, select ``Draft 
Advisory Circular'', then select the document by number. See section 
entitled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT for the complete address if 
requesting a copy by mail.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on August 25, 2005.
Susan J.M. Cabler,
Assistant Manager, Aircraft Engineering Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05-17383 Filed 8-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M