Digital Electronics Flashcards
6 cards from real AET practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Digital Electronics flashcards as text
What is the purpose of a watchdog timer in an avionics computer?
Answer: Reset the processor if software fails to respond within a set interval
A watchdog timer automatically resets the processor if the software fails to periodically 'kick' the timer, preventing system lockup from software faults.
Which logic family is commonly used in modern avionics FPGAs and ASICs due to its low power consumption?
Answer: CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor)
CMOS technology is dominant in modern avionics integrated circuits because of its very low static power consumption and high noise immunity.
What is the function of a multiplexer (MUX) in an avionics data system?
Answer: Select one of several input signals to route to a single output
A multiplexer selects one of multiple input signals based on control inputs and routes it to a single output, enabling shared use of a communication channel.
In ARINC 664 (AFDX), what does the term 'virtual link' refer to?
Answer: A logical unidirectional communication path with guaranteed bandwidth
An AFDX Virtual Link (VL) is a logical, unidirectional communication path configured to guarantee specific bandwidth and latency between avionics systems.
What does BIT stand for in avionics system testing?
Answer: Built-In Test
Built-In Test (BIT) is a self-test capability designed into avionics LRUs to detect and isolate faults during power-up or continuous operation.
What type of signal does an ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter) produce?
Answer: Discrete binary number representing the sampled analog value
An ADC samples an analog signal at regular intervals and converts each sample into a binary number proportional to the analog voltage level.