Avionics Configuration Tool for Recertification-Free Data Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Changing or adding access interfaces to avionics systems, such as Flight Management Systems (FMS), is costly and difficult due to certification requirements and safety concerns, necessitating additional testing and recertification.
Innovation Solution
A configuration tool that enables flexible access and configuration of internal data from avionics systems, allowing data to be output in selectable protocols without requiring conversion or recertification by data receiving components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If access interface is changed or added in conventional FMS, then new data access capability is achieved, but additional testing and recertification is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent parts: the certified FMS core and the configurable access interface layer. The access interface is segmented as a separate, replaceable component that can be modified without affecting the certified core system, thus maintaining certification while enabling flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
A configuration tool acts as an intermediary between the user and the FMS access interface. This intermediary enables interface changes without requiring direct modification of the certified system, thereby maintaining certification status while achieving adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If access interface is modified in conventional FMS, then new functionality is added, but additional testing and recertification cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration tool is prepared in advance with pre-defined access interface templates and parameters. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid deployment of new interfaces without requiring expensive recertification testing, as the tool itself is the certified component.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the interface structure, the system changes interface parameters through configuration files. This parameter-based approach allows flexibility without structural changes, eliminating the need for recertification and reducing implementation costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If access interface is changed in conventional FMS, then data access capability is improved, but time for testing and recertification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access interface is made dynamic and configurable at runtime through the configuration tool. This dynamic approach allows interfaces to be changed without static recertification requirements, enabling rapid updates without time-consuming testing and recertification processes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An avionics system (102) can provide data to a first receiving component (117) associated with a proprietary first protocol (109) and a second receiving component (116) associated with a non-proprietary second protocol (111). A configuration tool (108) generates a first configuration file (106) comprising instructions for a data access component (104) to provide a first data output to the first receiving component (117), and a second data output to the second receiving component (116). The configuration tool (108) can generate a second configuration file (120) including instructions to convert the second data output. The data access component (104) can receive a definition database (107) defining the first protocol (109) to convert the data according to the non-proprietary second protocol (111). The data access component (104) can provide the requested data to the first and second receiving components (117), (116) in accordance with the non-proprietary second protocol (111). The second receiving component (116) is configured convert the data received based on the second configuration file (120).