Converting between altitude and pressure, maintaining stable chamber conditions, and logging test data per DO-160 and MIL-STD-810 requirements — here's the implementation.
ISA Model: Altitude to Pressure
import numpy as np
def altitude_to_pressure(altitude_ft):
"""
Convert altitude (feet) to pressure (mbar) using ISA model.
Valid for troposphere (0-36,089 ft) and lower stratosphere (36,089-65,617 ft).
"""
altitude_m = altitude_ft * 0.3048
# Sea level constants
P0 = 1013.25 # mbar
T0 = 288.15 # K (15C)
L = 0.0065 # K/m lapse rate (troposphere)
g = 9.80665 # m/s2
R = 287.058 # J/(kgK)
# Tropopause
h_trop = 11000 # m (36,089 ft)
P_trop = P0 * (1 - L * h_trop / T0) ** (g / (R * L))
T_trop = T0 - L * h_trop
if altitude_m <= h_trop:
# Troposphere: temperature decreasing with altitude
P = P0 * (1 - L * altitude_m / T0) ** (g / (R * L))
else:
# Lower stratosphere: isothermal
P = P_trop * np.exp(-g * (altitude_m - h_trop) / (R * T_trop))
return P
# Test altitude points for DO-160 Cat B (commercial avionics)
DO160_CAT_B_ALTITUDES_FT = [0, 5000, 10000, 20000, 30000, 40000, 50000]
pressures = {alt: altitude_to_pressure(alt) for alt in DO160_CAT_B_ALTITUDES_FT}
for alt, p in pressures.items():
print(f"{alt:6d} ft -> {p:7.1f} mbar")
Vacuum Chamber Control and Test Logging
class VacuumChamberController:
def __init__(self, target_altitude_ft, chamber_volume_L=50):
self.target_pressure_mbar = altitude_to_pressure(target_altitude_ft)
self.chamber_volume = chamber_volume_L
self.target_altitude = target_altitude_ft
def control_step(self, current_pressure_mbar, dt=1.0):
"""
PID control for vacuum pump and vent valve.
Returns: pump_speed_pct (0-100), vent_valve_pct (0-100)
"""
error = current_pressure_mbar - self.target_pressure_mbar
if error > 50:
# Far above target: full pump, closed vent
return 100, 0
elif error > 10:
# Close to target: proportional pump
pump_speed = min(100, error * 2)
return pump_speed, 0
elif error < -10:
# Below target (overshot): open vent valve
vent_pct = min(50, abs(error) * 2)
return 0, vent_pct
else:
# Within +/-10 mbar: fine control
pump_speed = max(0, error * 0.5)
return pump_speed, 0
def is_stable(self, pressure_history_mbar, window_s=60,
tolerance_mbar=2.0):
"""Check if chamber has reached stable altitude simulation"""
if len(pressure_history_mbar) < window_s:
return False
recent = pressure_history_mbar[-window_s:]
return (max(recent) - min(recent)) <= tolerance_mbar
# Test logging per MIL-STD-810 Method 500.6
def log_test_data(timestamp, altitude_ft, chamber_pressure_mbar,
T_chamber, DUT_functional_status):
return {
'timestamp_utc': timestamp,
'test_altitude_ft': altitude_ft,
'target_pressure_mbar': altitude_to_pressure(altitude_ft),
'actual_pressure_mbar': chamber_pressure_mbar,
'pressure_error_mbar': chamber_pressure_mbar - altitude_to_pressure(altitude_ft),
'chamber_temp_C': T_chamber,
'DUT_status': DUT_functional_status,
'standard': 'MIL-STD-810G Method 500.6 Procedure II'
}
The Neometrix Pneumatic Vacuum Test Rig implements the ISA model and PID chamber control with real-time DAQ output.
→ https://neometrixgroup.com/products/pneumatic-test-rig





















