L-3 Avionics Systems - Summer of 2013
Joe
Experience Information
Employer: L-3 Avionics Systems
Job Title: Test Engineering - Software Development
Major: Computer Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
L-3 Avionics Systems, a subsidiary of L-3 Communications, designs and manufactures flight instruments for both military and civilian aircraft. Many of the products we make are used in military airplanes and helicopters. We make sensors, standby instruments, and displays, among other products. My specific department was Test Engineering - Software Development.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
I worked on an ARINC 429 monitoring tool throughout the duration of my first co-op semester. ARINC 429 is an aviation standard communication protocol for the transmission of messages throughout the subsystems of an aircraft. Measurements like pitch, roll, heading, airspeed, altitude, and many other sensory data and status words are communicated using the ARINC 429 bus and protocol. My software tool is designed to transmit, receive, and analyze ARINC 429 data for the purpose of test and qualification.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I vastly increased my knowledge of the C language. I had a very solid foundation before starting, but after coding for an entire summer, every day, I now feel that I truly know the language very well. I also have learned much about the aviation industry, including the ARINC 429 protocol.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of the co-op experience is simply increasing my fluency in C programming, whilst working on a very exciting project. I learned how to program GUI in C, albeit via an IDE, and was able to work at least somewhat with hardware, which was something I was looking forward to.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
I have much more appreciation for the aviation industry, and I am considering avionics software engineering as a potential career choice.