The S1000D specification was born in the early 1980s within the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD). Until then, each European country used its own technical documentation specifications, which made data exchange difficult. S1000D was developed from the Air Transport Association’s ATA Spec 100.
Based on XML, it sets out a structured approach to creating, managing and publishing technical documentation. Today it is used in aviation, space, maritime, automotive, rail and manufacturing, and it is especially suited to complex equipment with long life cycles. It is backed by ASD, AIA and ATA and overseen by the S1000D Steering Committee.
Business rules
Business rules guide implementation to ensure consistent, complete content. They are organised into 11 areas, from general rules to the conversion of legacy data.
Data modules and the CSDB
Content is stored as data modules in a Common Source Database (CSDB). Each module has a unique code (DMC) and two parts:
- Identification and status: management in the CSDB, applicability, quality assurance and retrieval.
- Content: the information the user needs to perform the task or understand the system.
There are different information types: description, procedure, fault isolation, illustrated parts data, wiring, crew, process and business rules exchange.
Benefits of S1000D
- Efficiency: simplifies authoring, maintenance and publishing, reducing costs.
- Reuse: modules are reused, improving accuracy and speeding up changes.
- Interoperability: a common standard for exchanging data between departments and companies.
- IETM: interactive electronic technical manuals for faster consultation.