Integrated modular avionics

Last updated September 09, 2024

Integrated modular avionics (IMA) are real-time computer network airborne systems. This network consists of a number of computing modules capable of supporting numerous applications of differing criticality levels.

History

It is believed that the IMA concept originated with the avionics design of the fourth-generation jet fighters. It has been in use in fighters such as F-22 and F-35, or Dassault Rafale since the beginning of the '90s. Standardization efforts were ongoing at this time (see ASAAC or STANAG 4626), but no final documents were issued then.^[2]

Architecture

IMA modularity simplifies the development process of avionics software:

As the structure of the modules network is unified, it is mandatory to use a common API to access the hardware and network resources, thus simplifying the hardware and software integration.
IMA concept also allows the Application developers to focus on the Application layer, reducing the risk of faults in the lower-level software layers.
As modules often share an extensive part of their hardware and lower-level software architecture, maintenance of the modules is easier than with previous specific architectures.
Applications can be reconfigured on spare modules if the primary module that supports them is detected faulty during operations, increasing the overall availability of the avionics functions.

Communication between the modules can use an internal high speed Computer bus, or can share an external network, such as ARINC 429 or ARINC 664 (part 7).

However, much complexity is added to the systems, which thus require novel design and verification approaches since applications with different criticality levels share hardware and software resources such as CPU and network schedules, memory, inputs and outputs. Partitioning is generally used in order to help segregate mixed criticality applications and thus ease the verification process.

ARINC 650 and ARINC 651 provide general purpose hardware and software standards used in an IMA architecture. However, parts of the API involved in an IMA network has been standardized, such as:

ARINC 653 for the software avionics partitioning constraints to the underlying Real-time operating system (RTOS), and the associated API

Certification considerations

RTCA DO-178C and RTCA DO-254 form the basis for flight certification today, while DO-297 gives specific guidance for Integrated modular avionics. ARINC 653 contributes by providing a framework that enables each software building block (called a partition) of the overall Integrated modular avionics to be tested, validated, and qualified independently (up to a certain measure) by its supplier.^[3]

The FAA CAST-32A position paper provides information (not official guidance) for certification of multicore systems, but does not specifically address IMA with multicore. A research paper by VanderLeest and Matthews addresses implementation of IMA principles for multicore"^[4]

Examples of IMA architecture

Examples of aircraft avionics that uses IMA architecture:

Airbus A220 : Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion
Airbus A350
Airbus A380 ^[2]^[5]
Airbus A400M
ATR 42
ATR 72
BAE Hawk (Hawk 128 AJT)
Boeing 777 : includes AIMS avionics from Honeywell Aerospace
Boeing 777X: will include the Common Core System from GE Aviation
Boeing 787 : GE Aviation Systems (formerly Smiths Aerospace) IMA architecture is called Common Core System^[2]^[6]
Bombardier Global 5000 / 6000 : Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion
COMAC C919
Dassault Falcon 900, Falcon 2000, and Falcon 7X : Honeywell's IMA architecture is called MAU (Modular Avionics Units), and the overall platform is called EASy ^[7]
F-22 Raptor
Gulfstream G280: Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion
Gulfstream G400, G500, G600, G700, G800, Data Concentration Network (DCN) ^[8]
Rafale : Thales IMA architecture is called MDPU (Modular Data Processing Unit) ^[9]^[10]
Sukhoi Superjet 100

Related Research Articles

Avionics are the electronic systems used on aircraft. Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems, and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to perform individual functions. These can be as simple as a searchlight for a police helicopter or as complicated as the tactical system for an airborne early warning platform.

A vehicle bus is a specialized internal communications network that interconnects components inside a vehicle. In electronics, a bus is simply a device that connects multiple electrical or electronic devices together. Special requirements for vehicle control such as assurance of message delivery, of non-conflicting messages, of minimum time of delivery, of low cost, and of EMF noise resilience, as well as redundant routing and other characteristics mandate the use of less common networking protocols. Protocols include Controller Area Network (CAN), Local Interconnect Network (LIN) and others. Conventional computer networking technologies are rarely used, except in aircraft, where implementations of the ARINC 664 such as the Avionics Full-Duplex Switched Ethernet are used. Aircraft that use Avionics Full-Duplex Switched Ethernet (AFDX) include the Boeing 787, the Airbus A400M and the Airbus A380. Trains commonly use Ethernet Consist Network (ECN). All cars sold in the United States since 1996 are required to have an On-Board Diagnostics connector, for access to the car's electronic controllers.

Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC), established in 1929, was a major provider of transport communications and systems engineering solutions for eight industries: aviation, airports, defense, government, healthcare, networks, security, and transportation. ARINC had installed computer data networks in police cars and railroad cars and also maintains the standards for line-replaceable units.

The Time-Triggered Protocol (TTP) is an open computer network protocol for control systems. It was designed as a time-triggered fieldbus for vehicles and industrial applications. and standardized in 2011 as SAE AS6003. TTP controllers have accumulated over 500 million flight hours in commercial DAL A aviation application, in power generation, environmental and flight controls. TTP is used in FADEC and modular aerospace controls, and flight computers. In addition, TTP devices have accumulated over 1 billion operational hours in SIL4 railway signalling applications.

Avionics Full-Duplex Switched Ethernet (AFDX), also ARINC 664, is a data network, patented by international aircraft manufacturer Airbus, for safety-critical applications that utilizes dedicated bandwidth while providing deterministic quality of service (QoS). AFDX is a worldwide registered trademark by Airbus. The AFDX data network is based on Ethernet technology using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The AFDX data network is a specific implementation of ARINC Specification 664 Part 7, a profiled version of an IEEE 802.3 network per parts 1 & 2, which defines how commercial off-the-shelf networking components will be used for future generation Aircraft Data Networks (ADN). The six primary aspects of an AFDX data network include full duplex, redundancy, determinism, high speed performance, switched and profiled network.

The Cockpit display systems provides the visible portion of the Human Machine Interface (HMI) by which aircrew manage the modern Glass cockpit and thus interface with the aircraft avionics.

Lynx Software Technologies, Inc. is a San Jose, California software company founded in 1988. Lynx specializes in secure virtualization and open, reliable, certifiable real-time operating systems (RTOSes). Originally known as Lynx Real-Time Systems, the company changed its name to LynuxWorks in 2000 after acquiring, and merging with, ISDCorp, an embedded systems company with a strong Linux background. In May 2014, the company changed its name to Lynx Software Technologies.

ARINC 653 is a software specification for space and time partitioning in safety-critical avionics real-time operating systems (RTOS). It allows the hosting of multiple applications of different software levels on the same hardware in the context of an Integrated Modular Avionics architecture.

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Allied Standards Avionics Architecture Council, or ASAAC, is an effort to define and validate a set of Open Architecture Standards for Avionics Architecture, particularly in the field of Integrated Modular Avionics.

STANAG 4626 is a NATO Standardization Agreement which defines a set of Open Architecture Standards for Avionics Architecture, particularly in the field of Integrated Modular Avionics. The purpose of this standard is to establish uniform requirements for the architecture for Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) systems as defined by the ASAAC program. A reference implementation is on SourceForge under an Apache license.

The Enhanced Avionics System is an integrated modular avionics suite and cockpit display system used on Dassault Falcon business jets since Falcon 900EX, and later used in other newer Falcon aircraft such as Falcon 2000EX and Falcon 7X.

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Samtel Avionics is an Indian company headquartered in Delhi. It manufactures equipment and systems for avionics, military, industrial, and professional applications. Samtel Avionics is a subsidiary of the Samtel Group.

DO-297, Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) Development Guidance and Certification Considerations is one of the primary document by which certification authorities such as the FAA and EASA approve Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) systems for flight. The FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 20-170 refers to DO-297.

References

↑ "ASSC - Evaluation of RTOS Systems" (PDF). assconline.co.uk. March 1997. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-09-04. Retrieved 2008-07-27.
1 2 3 "Integrated Modular Avionics: Less is More". Aviation Today. 2007-02-01. Archived from the original on 2012-12-23. Retrieved 2013-03-07. Some believe the IMA concept originated in the United States with the new F-22 and F-35 fighters and then migrated to the commercial jetliner arena. Others say the modular avionics concept, with less integration, has been used in business jets and regional airliners since the late 1980s or early 90s
↑ René L. C. Eveleens (2 November 2006). "Integrated Modular Avionics - Development Guidance and Certification Considerations" (PDF). National Aerospace Laboratory. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-06-03. Retrieved 2011-06-25. Biggest challenge within this area is that modular avionics is a composition of building blocks, preferably supplied by different companies in the supply chain. Each supplier is supposed to bring its part to a certain level of qualification, and after this a system integrator can use these "pre-qualified" part in the overall certification process.
↑ VanderLeest, Steven H.; Matthews, David C. (2021). "Incremental Assurance of Multicore Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA)". 2021 IEEE/AIAA 40th Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC). IEEE. pp. 1–9. doi:10.1109/DASC52595.2021.9594404. ISBN 978-1-6654-3420-1. S2CID 244139752 . Retrieved 2022-01-06.
↑ "Avionics for the A380: new and highly functional ! Dynamic flightdeck presentation at Paris Air Show". Thales Group. 2003-06-17. Archived from the original on 2008-05-03. Retrieved 2008-02-09. Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA), based on standardised modules that can be shared by several functions. The IMA concept is very scalable, and delivers significant improvements in reliability, maintainability, size and weight.
↑ "Common Core System (CCS)". GE Aviation Systems. Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2008-02-09. GE has developed a compute platform running an ARINC 653 partitioned operating environment with an Avionics Full Duplex Switched Ethernet (AFDX) network backbone. The CCS provides shared system platform resources to host airplane functional systems such as Avionics, Environmental Control, Electrical, Mechanical, Hydraulic, Auxiliary Power Unit, Cabin Services, Flight Controls, Health Management, Fuel, Payloads, and Propulsion.
↑ "Dassault Falcon EASY Flight Deck". Honeywell. July 2005. Retrieved 2008-02-09. The heart of the EASy platform is two, dual-channel, cabinet-based modular avionics units (MAUs). Highly rationalized, the MAU integrates functional cards for several applications into a single module. Each functional card performs multiple tasks previously requiring dedicated computer processors.
↑ "GE provides avionics and power systems for the new Gulfstream G400 and Gulfstream G800 | GE Aviation". www.geaviation.com. Retrieved 2022-07-17.
↑ "Thales wins major Rafale through-life support contract from SIMMAD". Thales Group. Archived from the original on 2008-05-03. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
↑ "RAFALE". Dassault Aviation. 2005-06-12. Archived from the original on 2007-12-04. Retrieved 2008-02-09. The core of the enhanced capabilities of the RAFALE lies in a new Modular Data Processing Unit (MDPU). It is composed of up to 18 flight line-replaceable modules, each with a processing power 50 times higher than that of the 2084 XRI type computer fitted on the early versions of Mirage 2000-5.

IMA Publications & Whitepapers

"Transitioning from Federated Avionics Architectures to Integrated Modular Avionics", Christopher B. Watkins, Randy Walter, 26th Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC), Dallas, Texas, October 2007.
"Advancing Open Standards in Integrated Modular Avionics: An Industry Analysis", Justin Littlefield-Lawwill, Ramanathan Viswanathan, 26th Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC), Dallas, Texas, October 2007.
"Application of a Civil Integrated Modular Architecture to Military Transport Aircraft", R. Ramaker, W. Krug, W. Phebus, 26th Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC), Dallas, Texas, October 2007.
"Integrating Modular Avionics: A New Role Emerges", Richard Garside, Joe F. Pighetti, 26th Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC), Dallas, Texas, October 2007.
"Integrated Modular Avionics: Managing the Allocation of Shared Intersystem Resources", Christopher B. Watkins, 25th Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC), Portland, Oregon, October 2006.
"Modular Verification: Testing a Subset of Integrated Modular Avionics in Isolation", Christopher B. Watkins, 25th Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC), Portland, Oregon, October 2006.
"Certification Concerns with Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) Projects", J. Lewis, L. Rierson, 22nd Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC), October 2003.

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[1] "ASSC - Evaluation of RTOS Systems" (PDF). assconline.co.uk. March 1997. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-09-04. Retrieved 2008-07-27.

[lessismore-2] 1 2 3 "Integrated Modular Avionics: Less is More". Aviation Today. 2007-02-01. Archived from the original on 2012-12-23. Retrieved 2013-03-07. Some believe the IMA concept originated in the United States with the new F-22 and F-35 fighters and then migrated to the commercial jetliner arena. Others say the modular avionics concept, with less integration, has been used in business jets and regional airliners since the late 1980s or early 90s

[3] René L. C. Eveleens (2 November 2006). "Integrated Modular Avionics - Development Guidance and Certification Considerations" (PDF). National Aerospace Laboratory. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-06-03. Retrieved 2011-06-25. Biggest challenge within this area is that modular avionics is a composition of building blocks, preferably supplied by different companies in the supply chain. Each supplier is supposed to bring its part to a certain level of qualification, and after this a system integrator can use these "pre-qualified" part in the overall certification process.

[4] VanderLeest, Steven H.; Matthews, David C. (2021). "Incremental Assurance of Multicore Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA)". 2021 IEEE/AIAA 40th Digital Avionics Systems Conference (DASC). IEEE. pp. 1–9. doi:10.1109/DASC52595.2021.9594404. ISBN 978-1-6654-3420-1. S2CID 244139752 . Retrieved 2022-01-06.

[5] "Avionics for the A380: new and highly functional ! Dynamic flightdeck presentation at Paris Air Show". Thales Group. 2003-06-17. Archived from the original on 2008-05-03. Retrieved 2008-02-09. Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA), based on standardised modules that can be shared by several functions. The IMA concept is very scalable, and delivers significant improvements in reliability, maintainability, size and weight.

[6] "Common Core System (CCS)". GE Aviation Systems. Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2008-02-09. GE has developed a compute platform running an ARINC 653 partitioned operating environment with an Avionics Full Duplex Switched Ethernet (AFDX) network backbone. The CCS provides shared system platform resources to host airplane functional systems such as Avionics, Environmental Control, Electrical, Mechanical, Hydraulic, Auxiliary Power Unit, Cabin Services, Flight Controls, Health Management, Fuel, Payloads, and Propulsion.

[7] "Dassault Falcon EASY Flight Deck". Honeywell. July 2005. Retrieved 2008-02-09. The heart of the EASy platform is two, dual-channel, cabinet-based modular avionics units (MAUs). Highly rationalized, the MAU integrates functional cards for several applications into a single module. Each functional card performs multiple tasks previously requiring dedicated computer processors.

[8] "GE provides avionics and power systems for the new Gulfstream G400 and Gulfstream G800 | GE Aviation". www.geaviation.com. Retrieved 2022-07-17.

[9] "Thales wins major Rafale through-life support contract from SIMMAD". Thales Group. Archived from the original on 2008-05-03. Retrieved 2008-02-09.

[10] "RAFALE". Dassault Aviation. 2005-06-12. Archived from the original on 2007-12-04. Retrieved 2008-02-09. The core of the enhanced capabilities of the RAFALE lies in a new Modular Data Processing Unit (MDPU). It is composed of up to 18 flight line-replaceable modules, each with a processing power 50 times higher than that of the 2084 XRI type computer fitted on the early versions of Mirage 2000-5.

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