IEEE - Aerospace and Electronic Systems - April 2021 - 55

Majid et al.
graduate level will be to introduce the concepts with
design-level details and conduct research to
improve the overall efficiency of the aircraft as well
as the whole operational environment. Numerous
examples and initiatives abound such as the integration of UAS in National Air Space (NAS), NextGen,
and SESAR. Distributed autonomy, electric propulsion, and vertical takeoff &landing, advanced aerodynamics for operation in urban canyons, UAS
traffic management, and dedicated applications like
UAM can be covered in this domain. Components
of other four areas of specialization will also form
part of the curriculum.
Spacecraft Avionics Systems: Designing avionics
systems for spaceborne applications is like venturing into a new dimension altogether. Differences in
space dynamics and aerodynamics coupled with different methodologies for attitude and heading control makes spacecraft flight control system design
and implementation distinct from conventional
flight control. Space navigation methodologies
(e.g., global navigation satellite system-GNSS)
and systems are disparate from those used on aerial
platforms. Size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C)
and environmental requirements are more challenging. Thus, spacecraft avionics systems has to be pursued as a separate domain of specialization.
At the graduate level, a thesis-based degree would represent an additional requirement, while a courseworkbased degree would compensate with additional coursework, often still needing a major project. For a thesisbased graduate degree at the MS-level, 30% (essential
courses), 50% (elective courses), and 20% (thesis) [2],
[3], [5] is one choice for the distribution of units among
the three elements. Table 3 proposes a combination of
essential and elective courses for each specialization. As
the area of specializations have some overlapping elements and a student may have an interest to acquire
knowledge of another area as well, the essentials in one
category can be offered as electives for others.
According to available resources and scope of industrial collaborations, the university can decide upon number of streams to offer. From the research areas stated
above, several doctoral thesis topics can also be selected.

AVIONICS LABORATORY PROVISIONS AND PROJECTBASED TRAINING
All undergraduate and postgraduate engineering programs
need to demonstrate an ability to design and conduct
appropriate experimentation, including relevant group
design projects (GDP). Avionics integration, flight control
APRIL 2021

systems, and radar systems are three types of laboratory
experiences that, at an undergraduate level, can provide
students with experiences to prepare for practice in avionics engineering. Figure 1(a)-(c) provides pictorials of
these three laboratories.
Avionics Systems Integration Laboratory: On-board
avionics and ground-based support systems study
benefits from laboratories that allow students to
configure and provide an opportunity to design avionics systems based upon one or more standard data
bus platforms. Students are taught to utilize simulations to validate their architecture designs.
Avionics System Design: Safety criticality and SWaPC requirements of avionics systems make the avionics system design processes and approaches vastly
different from the design methodologies adopted for
other engineering systems. Through individual
design projects that require a blend of hardware and
software, students are made proficient in conceptual
and detailed design practices, and to maintain
requirements traceability throughout the whole
design, development, test, and evaluation (DDT&E)
process. Certification preparations through design
validation and verification at each stage, considerations of electromagnetic compatibility, circuit thermal management, safety critical systems, and
practical avionics design considerations are stressed.
Radar Systems: Radar systems and their data are
widely used to support both onboard avionics and
ATM functions. The surveillance component in
CNS heavily relies on radar systems. In aircraft,
mission capabilities are greatly dependent upon the
performance of the airborne radar. Commercial
radar trainers and simulation software can provide
ability for conduct radar-related lab work. Simulations demonstrating CNS systems use in ATM are
also possible.
Ready availability of small UAS provides an inexpensive option to demonstrate and test avionics technologies
for both manned and unmanned flight platforms. Additional laboratory capabilities required for postgraduate
and research studies facilitate advanced CPS development, integration and testing, and integration of autonomous cyberphysical (ACP) and cyberphysical human
(CPH) systems. In this context, emerging industrial needs
elicit the adoption of advanced flight simulators to support
education and research activities in the field of human-
machine systems and human-autonomy interactions,
including: manned and unmanned aircraft avionics/ground
control systems; defense, security, and humanitarian mission systems; and hardware/human-in-the-loop testing.
Advanced sensors and computing platforms are
needed for research on human factors engineering (HFE)

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