An air data computer (ADC) or central air data computer (CADC) computes altitude, vertical speed, air speed, and Mach number from pressure and temperature inputs.[1] It is an essential avionics component found in modern aircraft. This computer, rather than individual instruments, can determine the calibrated airspeed, Mach number, altitude, and altitude trend data from an aircraft's pitot-static system.[2][3] In some very high-speed aircraft such as the Space Shuttle, equivalent airspeed is calculated instead of calibrated airspeed. Air data computers usually also have an input of total air temperature. This enables the computation of static air temperature and true airspeed.
- ^ United States Joint Chiefs of Staff (1988). The official dictionary of military terms. Science Information Resource Center, Hemisphere Publishing. p. 63. ISBN 0-89116-792-7.
- ^ Kim Wiolland (January 2015). "Air Data Computer" (PDF). Avionics News.
- ^ "What Is an Air Data Computer?". Wisegeek.com. Retrieved 2015-06-25.