A Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) is an essential part of an aircraft’s gas turbine engine control that consists of a computer, interface sensors and actuators, and Input/Output (I/O) ports that control all aspects of the engine. However, there are some drawbacks to this centralized control scheme. As such, the government and industry are frantically working towards a distributed control scheme by placing the controls closer to the engine as a smart node. This strategy reduces the burden of needing heavy wires and wire harnesses and multiple connector interfaces, thereby, reducing system complexity, reducing costs, lowering aircraft weight, and simplifying maintenance. This distributed control scheme will require internal circuits (ICs) that can withstand much higher temperatures (-55°C to 225°C). Technology to meet this temperature range does exist in the form of Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) type components, and Silicon Carbide (SiC) type components. Application of this technology in aerospace systems is limited due, to high costs and few manufactures.
To address these issues, Spectral Energies has teamed up with the University of Dayton and Prixarc, LLC and together they have developed a smart node that is capable of operating for 8,000 hrs. over a range of temperature from -55°C to 200°C. The team is developing a system-in-a-package using high temperature compatible multilayered substrates such as Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics (LTCC) with integrated passives. The LTCC approach offers smaller, lighter, high component density system in a package (SIP) with improved thermal dissipation capability. The envisioned product should provide a cost-effective method of distributed engine control.
For details contact Dr. Sivaram Gogineni at sivaram.gogineni@spectralenergies.com or at 937-266-9570