Economic Considerations for Real-Time Aircraft/Avionic Distributed Computer Control Systems

Abstract

Using aircraft/avionic systems as examples, economic considerations for Distributed Computer Control Systems (DCCS) are discussed. Centralized, distributed, and federated processing architectures are used as the primary set of systems alternatives from which the economic factors are developed. Technical, schedule, and financial risks for the system architectures are presented. Standardization of computer hardware and software is examined from the economic viewpoint and other related risk factors. The economic impact of subsequent logistic support for standardized computer hardware and software versus non-standard products is identified. System considerations such as reliability, maintainability, availability, build-in-test, fault tolerance, and redundancy are examined from the standpoint of resources available to design and develop the DCCS, and also from the viewpoint of economic impact of failure of the DCCS to perform as expected. The economic impact of external factors such as the rate of technology advancement, technology independence, limited production runs, and the general lack of economic leverage upon the market are examined and related to the life-cycle support requirements of the DCCS. The economic considerations of a DCCS for an aircraft/avionic system application will be used to define similar considerations for an idealized automated process plant.