OVERVIEW OF CUSTOM DESIGN ASSEMBLIES Leach designs and develops complex equipment structured around "FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) logic and/or Microprocessor" technologies to satisfy specific customer requirements and program conditions. Leach equipment is characterized by standards of safety, ease of interface with other equipment, flexibility, reliability, certification, maintainability and robustness. Safety In many cases safety is the first objective. Equipment architecture is designed to achieve the most critical events. Among the technologies utilized are: Redundancy 2 out of 3 "High reliability components" FPGA with "anti-fuse technology" Different types of FPGA and tools to avoid common mode failure Self-testing of equipment (Power Built-In-Test / Initiate Built-In-Test / Continuous Built-In-Test) Ease of Interface with Other Equipment: Because complex equipment usually exchanges information with other system(s), Leach relies on its extensive experience in communication lines and protocols, including: ARINC 429 ARINC 407 RS422 / RS485 / RS232 Can bus IEEE Different media may also be used, such as: Cable link (Twisted wires) IrDA link Flexibility: Depending on safety class, LEACH utilizes reconfigurable equipment (by Leach / or by customer). Different technologies can be used including: Reconfigurable FPGA Configuration memory for "FPGA or Microprocessor" Reconfiguration by PC with dedicated software Reliability: If reliability is one of the main requirements, the design will minimize the number of components while using only highly reliability components. Certification: "FPGA Logic" or "micro-controller program" are developed in accordance with internal procedures directly derived from DO 178 and DO 254 norms. This is required for certification of civil or military systems. Maintainability: Equipment is generally composed of several LRUs (Line Replaceable Units) to ensure ease of maintenance. Associated maintenance manuals may be proposed (CMM or equivalent). Robustness: Equipment is generally designed to withstand severe environments (DO 160 / ABD 00100 / and Mil Std) including: Temperature Shock Acceleration Vibration High level of EMI / HIRF Lightning effect Humidity Sea spray Fungus Sand and dust Contaminants Types of Equipment Using FPGA or Microprocessor Technologies: Engine Anti-Icing Unit Management -- for military helicopter Engine Data Discrete Multiplexer-- for civil aircraft Oven Control Module -- for galley in civil aircraft Position Lever Angle Unit Management -- for civil aircraft Tactic Video Recorder Management Box -- for fighter aircraft Observation System Controller -- for fighter aircraft Warning Panel -- for civil aircraft Up Front Panel -- for trainer aircraft