Airframe

In-depth maintenance of the interior electronics on most avionics devices is performed only by certified repair stations and trained avionics technicians. The airframe technician is responsible for installation, maintenance, inspection, and proper performance of avionics in the aircraft. Modern aircraft increasingly employ digital electronics in avionics rather than analog electronics. Transistors are used in digital … Read more

The solid-state semiconductor devices described in the previous Electron Control Valves section can be found in both analog and digital electronic circuits. As digital electronics continue to evolve, many analog circuits are being replaced. However, many aircraft still use analog electronics in radio and navigation equipment, as well as in other aircraft systems. A brief … Read more

Early aircraft were equipped with radio communication and navigational devices that were constructed with analog electronic circuits. They used vacuum tubes that functioned as electron control valves. These were later replaced by solid-state devices. Today, digital electronic circuits dominate modern avionics. A brief look at various electron control valves used on aircraft follows. Electron Control … Read more

Electronic devices represent and manipulate real-world phenomena through the use of electrical signals. Electronic circuits are designed to perform a wide array of manipulations. Analog representations are continuous. Some aspect of an electric signal is modified proportionally to the real-world item that is being represented. For example, a microphone has electricity flowing through it that … Read more