Modular Avionics Platform Decision Rule Partitioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modifying decision-making rules within onboard modular execution platforms, such as those in Integrated Modular Avionics systems, requires updating the entire platform's certification, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An electronic system that generates intermediate code from source code describing decision-making rules, allowing the modular execution platforms to execute these rules without requiring new aeronautic certification, by using a software component to interpret and execute the intermediate code stored in the hardware layer, ensuring configurable decision-making rules without affecting the platform's certification status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If decision-making rules are modified by updating application code in the modular execution platform, then the decision-making rules become configurable, but new aeronautic certification of the entire platform is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfigurability of decision-making rulesVSAvoidcertification complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the decision-making rule implementation into a separate executable code component that can be independently modified and loaded. Instead of modifying the entire application code requiring full certification, only the specific decision-making rule code needs to be updated and validated, while the rest of the certified platform remains unchanged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the downloadable executable code component) that acts as a bridge between the certified platform and configurable decision-making rules. This intermediary allows rule modifications without directly altering the certified application code, thus avoiding the need for complete recertification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the entire platform requires new aeronautic certification for rule modifications, then safety and reliability are maintained, but costs and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaeronautic certification assuranceVSAvoidcertification time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary certification of the platform framework and execution environment before deployment. This allows future decision-making rule modifications to be validated through simpler processes, as the core certified infrastructure is already in place and can be reused for multiple rule updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring complete platform recertification for every rule change, the patent applies partial validation only to the specific modified decision-making rule component. This partial action approach maintains sufficient reliability while significantly reducing the time and resources required compared to full certification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If application code is updated to modify decision-making rules, then rule flexibility improves, but the risk of introducing errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecision-making rule flexibilityVSAvoiderror introduction risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a copying mechanism where decision-making rules are implemented as separate executable code components that can be copied, updated, and loaded without modifying the original certified application code. This isolation allows flexible rule changes while protecting the core system from potential errors through controlled code instantiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9582299B2Electronic system, onboard modular execution platform and method ensuring partitioning of configurable decision-making rules

Publication Date: 2017.02.28 THALES SA

AI summary

An electronic system, including:at least one modular execution platform including a hardware layer and a software layer, the hardware layer including a memory, the software layer including at least one application code,an electronic device including a memory capable of storing operational data relative to the or each modular execution platform.The electronic device includes means for generating intermediate code from said operational data and a source code describing at least one decision-making rule in a programming language, intermediate code including an interpretable and executable part. The software layer of the or each modular execution platform includes at least one decision-making code coupled to said application code, said decision code including a software component capable, when called upon by said application code, of executing said part of the intermediate code received from the electronic device and stored in the memory of the hardware layer, to implement said decision-making rule.