New Avionics Concepts

Yves SAINT-UPERY
EYAK
Cockpit Operations
yves.saint-upery@airbus.com

post graduate course in satellite CNS 1

 Content

• Avionics of AIRBUS aircraft

• Systems design criteria

• Capabilities offered by the technologies, Integrated Modular Avionics

Concepts

• Examples of IMA implementation : BOEING 777, AIRBUS new systems

• Future avionics : the A380

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 FOR AEROSPATIALE, THE CONTROLLED DESIGN OF AVIONICS
ARCHITECTURES IS THE RESULT OF 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE.

1969 / 1976 CONCORDE

Formalised design, from initial definition up to complex systems tuning : fly-by-wire,
digitally-controlled air intakes, auto-pilot with all-weather landing capability, inertial
navigation, …)

Analog Electronics
PHOTO
Digital Electronics in specific
cases (INS 4Kbytes)

-> a modern system approach : safety analyses with upholding

demonstration of formalised objectives
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1983 AIRBUS A310
From analog to digital electronics (new cockpit with CRTs for a two-man crew, flight
management computer, fly-by-wire on the secondary control surfaces, … )

”Towards all digital" :

4 Mbytes
60 Mips

-> A first step in interconnected digital systems and high

criticality software developments

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1988 AIRBUS A320
The modern standard aircraft
(fly-by-wire, full authority engine control, auto-pilot and flight management
integration, ACARS, central maintenance, …)

Integrated digital electronics :

10 Mbytes
160 Mips

-> very short development program : use of a System Workshop (formalised

specifications, automatic software generation, DO178 compliant methodology,
…), real-time telemetry during flight tests, …

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1993 AIRBUS A340
The first four-engine and long range AIRBUS.
(GPS navigation, satellite communications, and soon FANS, …)

Highly integrated or
distributed digital
electronics :
20 Mbytes
250 Mips

-> maturity of development control

(validation by multiple-equipment and functional simulation up-stream,
integration benches used for each program since Concorde, extended
software generation, …)

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 MAIN DESIGN CRITERIA (1/2)

- DEPENDABILITY / CRITICALITY
-> availability : occurrence number / reliability
-> integrity : - functions segregation (ex : Navigation et Surveillance,..)
- command / monitor architecture (ex : AP,...)
- hardware / software dissimilarity (ex : EFCS,...)
- deterministic operation (e.g. : all critical functions)

- DEVELOPMENT AND CERTIFICATION PLAN

-> definition and justification dossier : description notes, safety analysis, simulation,...
-> realisation, verification / validation : hardware (DO 160) and software (DO 178)
qualification, partial tests, integration tests : IRON BIRD
flight tests and tests on simulator, "route proving",...

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 MAIN DESIGN CRITERIA (2/2)
- LIFE-CYCLE
-> very short development with numerous changes requiring a large number of
software versions : advanced methods and tools (formalised specifications and
automatic coding, validation by up-stream simulation, ground and flight tests
means, …)
-> very long life (30 years) : new functions, obsolescence to be managed

- COST OF OWNERSHIP
-> hardware and software development costs : common elements targeted, software
portability, family policy, … and of course efficient methods and tools
-> maintainability : efficient failure detection (low rate of unjustified removals),
reliability, repair cost
-> upgradeability : safe introduction of modifications (right first time) at reduced
cost

TO TAKE BENEFIT OF AVAILABLE NEW TECHNOLOGIES WHILST

CONTROLLING THE RISKS

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 PAST EVOLUTION IN AVIONICS SYSTEMS

AUTO FLIGHT SYSTEM ON AIRBUS FAMILY

A300
(19 + 1 optional PMS)

(single
1 Auto throttle)
N1 limit 1
Auto thrt
2
Test computer
A310/A300-600
4 (10)
Pitch trim

Yaw damp 4 A320

2
& lim TCC (4)
Logic 2 2 A340
FMC (2)
computer
Longitudinal 2 4 2
FAC/FLC FMGC
computer
Lateral 2 2 2 2
FCC FAC FMGEC
computer
Analog Auto Pilot Second generation
First generation Second generation
In service on most of the Of digital Auto Pilot
of digital Auto Pilot Of digital Auto Pilot
Aircraft today

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 CURRENTLY USED TECHNOLOGIES

- microprocessors : 386 type

- software size : order of magnitude of 200kb

- data exchange based on point to point serial busses running at 10 or

100 kbits/s

- slow data loading capability, limited to a reduced number of

computers (bus running at 100 kbits/s)

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 POSSIBILITIES OFFERED BY NEW TECHNOLOGIES

New technologies emerging in the domains of :

- electronics : increasing power of microprocessors, more and more

integrated memories with larger and larger sizes,

- software : operating systems allowing to install several applications

on the same microprocessor,

- and databus networks : high speed multiplexed bus

offer new integration capabilities.

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 FUTURE AVIONICS : INTEGRATED MODULAR AVIONICS

Standardisation and resource sharing between several functions

TODAY AVIONICS (LRU)

In each equipment :
- Power supply
- Inputs/outputs
- Processor
- Software
NEW AVIONICS (LRM)
n
ctio
Function A IOs Fun
- Inputs/Outputs (Functions A, B, C)
n C
Function B IOs ctio
Fun - Inter-equipment Bus
Function C IOs B
A

Processing
modules I/O modules

Power supply
Functions A, B, C

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 INTEGRATED MODULAR AVIONICS

Design concepts :
- fault tolerance :
-> differed maintenance objective
- resources sharing : "robust partitioning"
-> independent certification of implemented functions
- software/hardware independence : standard interface between
operating system and applicative softwares :
-> software portability
- fast downloading
-> software update onboard the aircraft
- “high throughput” communication networks:

-> ARINC 629 (2Mbits/s), ETHERNET (10-100Mbits/s) ...

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 TODAY : FEDERATED ARCHITECTURE

System A

electronic parts + communications

candidate for integration

actuators
System B
sensors

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 TOMORROW : IMA

System A

Integrated
Avionics

actuators

System B
sensors

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 Principles

Application n
Application 1
Software
API Services API
API
O/S
O/S

Modules Boards
Hardware

Backplane Bus

System Busses
Avionic Busses
Communication Busses
Cabinet Avionic Remote „Smart“
Computing Data Sensor/
Resource Concentrator Effector
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 Typical IMA Cabinet Platform

Backplane (Data bus & Power Distribution)

PSM IOM CPM CPM IOM Special

IOM GWM SpecialIOM CPM CPM GWM
IOM PSM
IOM
IOM IOM
Spare
Spare
slots
O/S O/S O/S O/S
APEX
API APEX
API API APEX
APEX API

PSM Power Supply Module IOM Input/Output Module

Pre-regulation, distribution Data Busses
(e.g. Protection, Status) Discrete’s
Analogues
GWM Gateway Module
Avionics bus/backplane bus Special
interface (e.g. Ethernet/Firewall) IOM Special I/O Module
additional special interfaces
CPM Core Processing Module e.g. Generator Control
Computing power, memory Proximity Switches
Operating System Servo Valves
APEX Interface

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 BENEFITS COMING FROM IMA

- DEVELOPPEMENT COSTS : through a decreased number of

equipment types and the re-use of software

- RECURRING COSTS through a reduced amount of embedded

electronics and an increased number of equipment of the same type

- OPERATING COSTS through :

* differed maintenance
* reduction in No Fault Found
* reduction of spare parts stocks

- EVOLUTION COSTS through :

* hardware/software independence
* standardisation
* data loading
.

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 COMMERCIAL OFF THE SHELF "COTS” ELECTRONICS

- electronic components must work in a harsh environment on-board the

aircraft, very strong environmental conditions (working temperature range of -
15 to 70°, equipment housed with temperature down to -40°)

-> limited number of components satisfying the environmental conditions,

expensive components as produced in low number

- COTS components as microprocessors, memories and data bus chips are low
cost and there are different interoperable sources

-> benefits for the aerospace industry to use COTS components but special
attention to be paid to environmental conditions compatibility and life duration

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 ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGIES : DATA BUS

- ARINC 429 : currently used B

• mono-emitter multi-receiver bus
• serial bus A C
• 10 or 100 kbits/s
• 32 bits words D

3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
2 1 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

• Bits 1-8 : label, 9-10 : SDI, 11-29 : data, 30-31 : SSM, 32 : parity

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 ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGIES : DATA BUS

- ARINC 629 : used only on the 777 A

• multiplexed bus B
• no bus master
• serial bus C
• 2 Mbits/s
• messages made of up to 256 wordstrings D
• 20 bits words
Message with 2 wordstring

LABEL DATA DATA LABEL DATA DATA DATA

2 word wordstring 3 word wordstring

3 BITS 4 BITS 12 BITS 1 BIT 3 BITS 16 BITS 1 BIT

SYNCH LBL EXT LABEL PRIO SYNCH DATA PAR

20 bit label word 20 bit data word

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 ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGIES : DATA BUS
Ethernet LAN Full-Duplex Switched Ethernet

- Future : Ethernet

• multi-drop bus
• serial bus
• 10 or 100 Mbits/s switch

• data frames up to 1518 bytes

• high level protocols : UDP, IP, TCP/IP, TFTP stations bus stations

7 octets 1 octet 48 bits 48 bits 2 bytes 46-1500 bytes 4 bytes

Preamble Start Frame Destination Source Length/ Data Field FCS
Delimiter Address Address Type
Field

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 ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGIES : PROCESSING MODULE

- today : one function implemented in one processing module

• no operating system

• simple schedulers

• direct access to memory, input/output ports, ...

• assembly code and high level software (ADA, C, PASCAL, …)

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 ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGIES : PROCESSING MODULE

- future : multi-application module

• real-time operating system

• with robust partitioning : time and space, thanks to software and

hardware means (time slices management, memory protections)

• application programming interface

• no more direct access to memory, input/output ports

• high level application software software (ADA, C)

• portable and reusable software

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 Process Definition - What will change with IMA ?

LRU A
Application A
LRU B
Application B

«traditional» avionics

display RDC’s
• Resource sharing
• New dependencies
between systems
• Applications spread
Multi-transmitter over resources
sensors bus network

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 Process Definition - What will change with IMA ?

Resource Supplier Application Suppliers

Platform Integrator
Airframer(s)

display RDC’s • Multi-system development

• Multi-party development
• New roles, new organisation
• More co-ordination
Multi-transmitter required between actors
sensors bus network

…with the following • Continuity with existing environments

constraints: • Concurrent development of systems
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 AN EXAMPLE OF IMA : BOEING 777 AIMS

• Aircraft Information and Management Systems : displays, flight

management, thrust control, maintenance, condition monitoring, data
communication, recorder interface

• Technologies :
• Arinc 650 packaging
• Arinc 659 backplane bus : 2 * 30 Mbits/s
• Dual lock step processing module
• Arinc 629 avionics bus : 2 Mbits/s

• 2 cabinets with each :

• 4 Input/output modules : analog, discretes, Arinc 429
• 4 processing modules, 2 of them with graphical generation

Our evaluation : good operational results but complex and

costly technologies

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 AIRBUS NEW AVIONICS GENERATION

AIRBUS is actively working to prepare evolutions of his aircraft

avionics architectures to :
-> improve the cost of ownership of the aircraft

-> add new capabilities

considering both the in-service fleet and future aircraft families

AIM-FANS and the New Display System are two examples of

enhancements proposed by AIRBUS

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 CHANGE FACTORS

- increasing economical pressure :

cost of ownership reduction
control of development costs especially for software

- new functional requirements : CNS ATM for instance

-> means : available technologies

development methods and tools
-> objective : robust , reliable and versatile architectures

-> principles based on the experience : redundancies, dissimilarity,

functional segregation, ...
-> constraint : the in service fleet, more than 2000 AIRBUS in 2000

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 AIM-FANS

A: AIRBUS : Avionics solution for all the AIRBUS aircraft, forward and
retrofit conditions

I : INTEROPERABLE : capable of all the areas throughout the world

M: MODULAR : capable of customer adaptation and of future evolutions

Two main criteria : the man-machine interface ergonomics maintaining

attainments at best cost

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The new AIM-FANS computers : FM and ATSU widely integrate modern
avionics concepts

- multiple applications with the objective of an independent certification of the

hosted applications
-> robust partitioning concept applied

- software portability through a standard Operating System interface

-> ARINC 653 standard for FM
-> POSIX standard for ATSU

- high throughput processors thanks to floating point 32-bit

-> AMD 29040 or Motorola 68040 for FM
-> Intel 486 for ATSU

- completely downloadable software with provision for implementation of the

new high throughput ARINC 615A ( Ethernet) now being elaborated

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 THE AIRBUS NEW DISPLAY SYSTEM

Development certified recently on the A320 and A340 families and

available for future derivative aircraft

The objectives :
-> improved cost of ownership of the system

-> enhanced and new features

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 THE AIRBUS NEW DISPLAY SYSTEM

- New Display Management Computers and Display Units using up-to-date

technologies : high throughput processor, large size memory, partitioned
software, fast downloading of all the software, …
- LCD DUs largely improving the cost of ownership
- solution allowing a stepped introduction of new functions :
* Taxi aids display
* Cockpit Display of Traffic Information (CDTI)
* Terrain information display
* weather forecast data display
- thanks to new capabilities : pointing device interface, windowing,
video and hard copy

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 A380 - Starting a new Family

1988 2002
Current Family
A320 A340 A330 A321 A319 A340-500/600

Next Family

New Technologies :
- engines
- structure
A380
- systems (electricity,
hydraulics, AVIONICS)

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 A380 Avionics Architecture Baseline

Cockpit Multipurpose Data-Link Portable On-board

Maintenance On-board Server - In-flight Maintenance Graphic
Access - On-board Docum. - On-ground Access Printer(s)
Terminals - Customised S/W - Gate Terminals
- Application S/W

Common
Cabin
Consoles
Router W/l LAN High Speed Network( Ethernet)
includes Firewall protection for open part

Cockpit
Systems panels
Information
Cabin Energy Cabin Cabin Cabin Cabin
Management Utility Systems Other
& Management
Functions Functions Functions LRU’s
Functions

System Bus Network

Segregation/
protection in
the domain Remote Remote
Data Data
Smart Concentrator Concentrator
Flight FADEC Actuator
Controls Sensor
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 FUTURE AIRBUS AVIONICS

For all new programs, all avionics suppliers propose highly

integrated modular avionics

For the A3XX, several integration domains are considered :

- cockpit avionics : displays, flight management, auto-thrust,
data link communication management, data recorders
interface, ...
- cabins systems : air conditioning, pressurisation,
temperature control, …
- aircraft utility systems : landing gear, fuel, electrical power, ...

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