DFIS-Sensor

... DFIS-Sensor is the central Integration module
    connecting FLARM with the soaring application XCSoar!

The DFIS-XCSoar concept:
 

As the name implies, DFIS-XCSoar requires the free Flight Navigations Software "XCSoar"
as Open Source program. This program was extended with an interface to realize the
communication to the DFIS-XCSoar module.

The FLARM sysytem is used as central data source.

Acording to the configuration the DFIS-XCSoar module supplies up to 4 additional information
data streams to the XCSoar program:

•   Acoustic FLARM collision announcements
    (alike the announcements or car navigation systems)

•   Sensor data (Temperature, Humidity, Dew point, Cloud base, Static air pressure, Pressure
    altitude, Total pressure, Speed relative to air, Acceleration of 3 axis, Battery voltage)

•   Airframe Status (Undercarriage , Airbrakes, Flaps)

•   Keys for optimized XCSoar Dialog
    (Operation even possible without Touch screen)

All DFIS-XCSoar components are easily connected via tailored wiring cables (Plug & Play). The PDA
can be connected as usual via serial RS232 interface, or via Bluetooth. Hence the new PDA generation
(not offering a RS232 interface any more) can be put into place.
 

The XCSoar program processes and displays all information, provided by the DFIS-XCSoar module.

Additional functions are implemented within XCSoar and activated via the DFIS-XCSoar interface, e.g. acoustic announcements of:

•     Aircrafts and obstacles around

•     Undercarriage warnings

•     Airbrake warnings

•     Directions concerning suboptimal Flap settings

•     Stall warnings

•     Speed announcements in final

•     Speed announcements in winch launch

•     Oxygen warnings

•     Battery low and battery empty warnings

FLARM Sprach-Alarm

In the easiest configuration DFIS-XCSoar is inserted between FLARM and PDA.
This happens "Plug & Play" using the included patch cord. Plug in .... ready!
All FLARM alarm-reports of level 1 and 2 are announces acoustically by the XCSoar program.

FLARM Speech-Alarm with Bluetooth Data Transmission

 

Also in this configuration DFIS-XCSoar is inserted between FLARM and the power supply (battery).
The data transfer to the PDA works via Bluetooth.
In this case of application even two PDA's can be supported by the FLARM (one already via cable
connected PDA and one additional, via Bluetooth connected PDA).

Additional Sensors and Airframe Observation
 

Sensor data (Temperature, Humidity, Dew point, Cloud base, Static air pressure, Pressure altitude,
Total pressure, Speed relative to air, Acceleration of 3 axis, Battery voltage) are captured by
DFIS-XCSoar and forwarded to XCSoar. All sensors, except temperature and humidity are integrated
in the DFIS-XCSoar enclosure. The external temperature and humidity sensor is included in the delivery
and is connected to the device via the 1.5 m cable.

The airframe status (Undercarriage , Airbrakes, Flaps) is monitored by switches. Usually the switches
will be mounted in the middle/rear section of the fuselage. The shipment includes a standard connection
cable as well as an adaptor module with contact element. As accessories a set of all-purpose Reed-
Contacts with the according magnets is available.

To simplify the operation of the XCSoar program, standard switches / buttons can be integrated into
the dashboard. For example repetition of a speech announcement of the current situation concerning
gliders around can be forced via a button. DFIS-XCSoar comes with a 1.50 m open-ended cable.

Additional Keyboard for optimized Operation of XCSoar Program

The keyboard for optimized XCSoar operation is adjusted to the XCSoar dialog. On the left and lower
side the keyboard encircles the PDA. The XCSoar operation via Touch screen is not required any
more. The connection to the DFIS-XCSoar module is done Plug & Play via the supplied standard
cable.

Connection of different Data Sources

In most cases several GPS receivers are installed in the cockpit. Till now just one of those could be
used as data source for XCSoar. If this device turns out, XCSoar is not working any more in spite of
the available redundancy. DFIS-XCSoar enables the connection of any NME183 data sources, being
fed in via a standard switch. Because of the implemented automatic baud rate detection, no additional
electronic components are required!