Embedded Avionics Systems Research Articles

Methodology for testing languages for embedded avionics systems

In this article, we have analyzed six test languages. Four proprietary languages have been identified that are currently used in avionics for cyclic testing of embedded avionics systems at different levels of integration and maturity of the system under test. We use the Eclipse Modeling Framework with the Ecore specialized modeling language to formalize various concepts of interest. This will allow us to access a number of existing tools to create custom editors, validators, and code generators. Test engineers will have a rich environment to define their own test models based on the meta-model. We propose to abstract from existing proprietary implementation solutions and work at a common design level. For this, mature model design methods exist and can be used. The proposed approach is to share high-level test specifications and automatically maintain the entire code design and production chain.

Aligning Deos and RTEMS with the FACE safety base operating system profile

The Open Group Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE ™ ) Consortium has developed a reference architecture and standard for real-time embedded avionics systems. The FACE Technical Standard defines required capabilities for real-time operating systems (RTOS), portable components, and a shared data model to facilitate information exchange between components. FACE RTOS requirements are based on ARINC 653 and POSIX 1003.1b with tailoring to address the safety and security needs of avionics systems. Deos is a safety-certified RTOS that supports ARINC 653 but not POSIX. In contrast, RTEMS is an open source RTOS that supports POSIX but not ARINC 653. Integrating a paravirtualized RTEMS with Deos combines the strengths of both and provides a path to conformance with the FACE Safety Base operating system profile. This paper presents the FACE operating system profiles and discusses the technical challenges of the paravirtualization and integration effort.

Applying model-driven development to distributed real-time and embedded avionics systems

Model-Driven Development (MDD) is an emerging paradigm that uses Domain-Specific Modelling Languages (DSMLs) to provide 'correct-by-construction' capabilities for many software development activities. This paper describes a MDD tool suite called Component Synthesis using Model-Integrated Computing (CoSMIC), a collection of DSMLs that support the development, configuration, deployment, and validation of component-based DRE systems. We also describe how we have applied CoSMIC to an avionics mission computing application to resolve key component-based DRE system development challenges. Our results show that the design-, deployment- and Quality Assurance (QA)-time capabilities provided by CoSMIC help to eliminate key complexities associated with development of QoS-enabled component middleware applications.

Incorporating cost modeling in embedded-system design

The emergence of multimedia and wireless applications as growth leaders has created an increased demand for embedded systems. Examples of such applications range from digital cellular telephones to high-performance avionics systems. Along with the increased market share of these products, however, has come an increase in system complexity and cost. For example, the complexity of embedded avionics systems has quickly grown from millions to billions of operations per second. These systems, formerly implemented in hardwired or uniprocessor architectures, now must consist of programmable-multiprocessor arrays to meet performance requirements. Time-to-market and life-cycle costs are key factors in the success of these products in the competitive electronics marketplace. These costs, therefore, should have a dominant influence on the design of embedded microelectronic systems. In addition, these systems must meet rigid form factor (such as size, power, and weight) constraints, which further complicate the design task. For designers of high-end embedded microsystems or large-volume consumer products, rapidly prototyping cost-effective implementations that meet stringent performance, functional, timing, and physical requirements is a formidable challenge.