A robust Ethernet network, with internet connectivity, is required for the flight simulator for simulator modules inter-communication, hardware interfacing, downloading real-time weather and software maintenance.
Software Modules Inter-Communication
The main computer runs the specialized software, such as ProSim737, that emulates the B-737 aircraft systems as well as provides integration of the various software and hardware sim components. ProSim737 has an software architectural design using over half a dozen other application modules that typically run on a secondary computer. Each software module is for a specific purpose. For example, one module creates an aircraft primary flight display after integrating aircraft position, speed, and attitude from the main computer. All software modules are dependent on sharing a real-time stream of data regarding current aircraft state. This is ideally handled by a dedicated Ethernet router, so network traffic is for the exclusive use by the simulator.
Hardware Connectivity
There has been a trend to using Ethernet connectivity instead of USB for flight deck simulation hardware components. Ethernet connectivity allows for more connections, faster data transmission, and a more robust interfacing. The disadvantage of USB devices is that USB hubs are commonly needed. Also, Windows can be sometimes “finicky” about losing device assignment if a device is unplugged and then reconnected, or if the USB hub is powered up while the computer is booting up, etc. Even though Ethernet connected devices is preferred, there is a substantial amount of flight simulator hardware that is only available with USB connectivity. This simulator uses Ethernet interfacing for:
Internet Access
Internet access needs to be connected to the flight simulator Ethernet network. Ideally this should be with a fast broadband internet connection because many of the flight simulator application files are substantial in size. This is especially important if MSFS 2020 is used instead of Prepar3D, as this program is constantly downloading surround scenery data in real-time as the aircraft is in flight.
Other important computer network functions is for downloading real-time weather which can be integrated into the simulator, so that the actual weather at a specific location is reflective of the real weather at that place and moment in time. An application called Navigraph SimLink uses internet connectivity to continuously upload aircraft position, altitude, and speed so that the aircraft position can be seen on their Navigraph charting software. This is commonly displayed on a tablet device, like an iPad and emulates what the charting system commonly used in airline operations.
Finally, software maintenance requires periodic online validation of license keys, Windows and graphic card updates, and downloaded of updated navigation data.
Network Configuration
This simulator uses a LinkSys EA6350 router in a LAN to WAN cascading network configuration. This isolates network traffic to only the two simulator computers. The WAN port on the router is connected to the home Ethernet network to obtain internet access. The router is then connected, by Ethernet cables, to the main flight simulator computer and the second computer. Ethernet cables are also used for interfacing with flight deck hardware components.
Static or fixed IP address are assigned to the “FltSim” and “Avionics” computers. This is required for the ProSim737 software. The DHCP address range of the router is examined to choose unique static IP address for each computer that is outside of the DHCP assignment range.
The router is configured to enable Wi-Fi access. This allows an iPad to be used for displaying Navigraph charts, maps, and procedures.
