Avionics equipment at Ohio University
Avionics Engineering Center Research

Avionics Engineering Center Research

Unlike many university-affiliated programs that pursue mainly theoretical research, the Avionics Engineering Center supports the entire life cycle of avionics engineering, from identifying needs to conceptualization and actual design, development, implementation, testing, and improvement of various electronic systems for aviation.

And, unlike many government agencies or private-sector contractors, we have the resources and flexibility of a research institution, including world-class facilities, simulation tools and field testing capabilities.

We benefit from our access to faculty members who serve as consultants, staff engineers, and technicians, and undergraduate and graduate student-interns familiar with the most recent developments in avionics.

Flightpath illustration

Our research projects cover a range of avionics topics, including advanced flight controls, GPS and Local Area Augmentation Systems, Joint Precision Approach and Landing Systems, Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast, Dual Airborne Laser Scanner, Distance Measuring Equipment, high fidelity signal quality monitoring, as well as field and flight inspections, evaluations, and testing.

Because of our unique services and impressive track record, the Avionics Engineering Center has been awarded contracts totaling more than $183 million from sponsors like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the U.S. Department of Defense, as well as from state and foreign governments and private industry.

  • Core Competencies

    • Life-cycle support for navigation, surveillance and communication systems
    • System design, evaluation, optimization and demonstration
    • Flight test and evaluation of navigation and surveillance systems
    • Remote/autonomous vehicle navigation in challenging environments
    • System safety assessment and design assurance
  • Differentiators

    • Special mission aircraft and UAS assets to support technology development, equipment certification, and flight test/inspection activities
    • Internationally utilized simulation tools that provide performance predictions for navigation and surveillance systems installed in challenging environments
    • Advanced electromagnetics/antenna modeling for transportation systems (air, rail, marine)
    • Antenna Anechoic Chamber for research, development, evaluation and student education
  • Past Performance

    • Cumulative research exceeding $183 million
    • Federal, state, municipal, and industry sponsors and partners
    • Contributions to national/international standards and recommended practices
    • The RTCA William E. Jackson Award is given yearly to an outstanding student in the field of aviation electronics and telecommunications; AEC students have won this award 40% of the time (19 of 47)

Our Avionics Research Projects

Publications

Researchers at the Avionics Engineering Center regularly publish their findings in major peer-reviewed journals. Please click on individual faculty member's profiles for a list of publications.

Patents

Innovation is second nature to the expert engineers and technologists at the Avionics Engineering Center.

Conferences + Workshops

Our avionics experts attend conferences throughout the year to present research findings and foster professional development. Prominent gatherings include the International Flight Inspection SymposiumInstitute of Navigation events, and the Digital Avionics Systems conference.

Services

At the Avionics Engineering Center, our cradle-to-grave expertise in developing solutions for aviation communications, controls, navigation and landing systems is unparalleled. Find our primary research topics below, and visit our projects pages to see the next-generation technology being developed by our world-renowned experts.

Student Research Opportunities

Through our affiliation with the Russ College School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, we offer both undergraduate and graduate students the chance to get into the lab and experience engineering in a real-world applications.

Undergraduate students at the Russ College can choose electives in avionics subjects, including electronic navigation systems or communications, controls and electromagnetics. Through senior design projects and internship experiences at the Avionics Engineering Center, undergraduates can study avionics beyond the classroom.

At the graduate level, a concentration in electronic navigation systems is available to Russ College students in the Ph.D. program and the thesis-option M.S. programs in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, including research opportunities at our center.

For more information about current research opportunities, contact Interim Director Michael DiBenedetto at dibenede@ohio.edu.