Virtual Integration in Avionics Systems‐RTOS

Abstract

AbstractThis paper discuss about the challenges and thoughts in Virtual integration using Real Time Operating Systems for avionics system integration with respect to different architectures like Open System Architecture and Integrated Modular Avionics.This paper mainly discusses about role of RTOS like ARINC653 in solving the problems in Avionics System Engineering, in which software‐software integration and hardware‐software integration is achieved using features of RTOS and this approach is called Virtual Integration. I have proposed customization of existing RTOS using new concepts which enhances the capability of performance and extendibility in integration keeping core System Engineering Principles in mind.This paper discusses about the system integration challenges identified in use of existing RTOS which includes: 1. Cross Platform Development, 2. Selection of communication mechanisms and scheduling for mixed operating system environment, 3. Current RTOS are mainly Monolithic and Micro Kernel based to compete in speed of execution and process management. 4. Current RTOS are limited to target platforms like Power PC, Intel x86 etc. and not supporting soft processors like micro‐blaze, FPGA platforms etc.Proposal for future enhancements to include use of Kernel level scheduling algorithms and Nano Kernels in RTOS to host more Platform OS to have more number of independent process running with more accurate time scheduling with less switch overheads, support for cross platform development with different host development technologies, support for SOC, POC other than conventional processors like x86, Power PC, ARM and MIPS etc.This paper discusses about the Network Virtualization and its application in avionics integration to overcome the capability of hardware networking devices using RTOS. Applying Trusted Execution Technology (TXT) approach in Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) to ensure that the launching components at BIOS, OS Loader and Hypervisor are safe and trusted to avoid failure and malfunctions during run‐time.