Integrated Modular Avionics
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Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) represent real-time computer network airborne systems. This network consists of a number of computing modules capable of supporting numerous applications of differing criticality levels.
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[edit] 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 defaults 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 module that support them is detected faulty during operations, increasing the overall disponibility of the avionics functions.
Communication between the modules can use an internal high speed Computer bus, or can share an external network, as of ARINC 429 or AFDX.
It must be noted that there is no overall hardware or software standard that defines all the mandatory components used in an IMA architecture. However, parts of the API involved in an IMA network has been standardized (see ARINC 653).
[edit] Examples of IMA architecture
Examples of aircraft avionics that uses IMA architecture :
- Rafale : Thales IMA architecture is called MDPU (Modular Data Processing Unit) [1][2]
- F-22 Raptor
- Airbus A380 [3][4]
- Boeing 787 : GE Aviation Systems (formerly Smiths Aerospace) IMA architecture is called Common Core System [3][5]
- Dassault Falcon 900, Falcon 2000, and Falcon 7X : Honeywell's IMA architecture is called MAU (Modular Avionics Units) [6]
[edit] See also
- OSI model
- Cockpit display system
- ARINC 653 : a standard API for avionics applications
[edit] References
- ^ Thales wins major Rafale through-life support contract from SIMMAD. Thales Group. Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
- ^ RAFALE. Dassault Aviation (2005-06-12). Retrieved on 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.”
- ^ a b Integrated Modular Avionics: Less is More. aviationtoday.com (2007-02-01). Retrieved on 2008-02-09.
- ^ Avionics for the A380: new and highly functional ! Dynamic flightdeck presentation at Paris Air Show. Thales Group (2003-06-17). Retrieved on 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. Retrieved on 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 on 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.”
[edit] 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.
