Avionics Gatekeeper Regulates Shared Bus Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional avionics computing systems face challenges in effectively regulating communication between processing devices with different design assurance levels (DALs), particularly in preventing data corruption and ensuring secure communication access based on priority and current communication status.
Innovation Solution
A computing system with a first and second processing board, each equipped with a control logic device, uses a shared bus to regulate communication access to a communication port, determining priority based on DAL and current status to grant or deny access, thereby preventing data corruption and ensuring secure communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If software techniques are used to prevent data corruption between different DAL level applications, then data security is improved, but system complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gatekeeper component that acts as an intermediary between lower DAL applications and higher DAL applications. This gatekeeper monitors and controls data flow, preventing corrupted data from reaching higher DAL levels while maintaining a clear separation of concerns. The gatekeeper serves as a dedicated mediator that handles security checks without requiring complex software techniques throughout the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: lower DAL applications, higher DAL applications, and a separate gatekeeper component. This segmentation allows each component to have a specific, simplified function while the overall system achieves high reliability. The gatekeeper is a separate entity that can be independently configured and managed, reducing the complexity burden on the main applications.
2Reliability
If a gatekeeper mechanism is implemented to control communication access between processing devices, then data corruption prevention is improved, but communication overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gatekeeper is pre-configured with knowledge of which lower DAL applications are authorized to communicate with which higher DAL applications. This preliminary configuration allows the gatekeeper to make rapid access decisions without performing complex real-time analysis. The authorization rules are established in advance, enabling fast gatekeeping operations that minimize communication overhead.
3Productivity
If multiple processing devices are allowed to access communication ports simultaneously, then communication efficiency is improved, but data corruption risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gatekeeper continuously monitors communication requests and provides real-time feedback by allowing or blocking access based on pre-configured authorization rules. This feedback mechanism enables multiple processing devices to access communication ports simultaneously while maintaining data integrity, as the gatekeeper actively manages each access request rather than using simple sequential control.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for regulating communications in computing systems are provided. For instance, a computing system can include a first processing board including a first processing device and a first control device. The system can further include a second processing board including a second processing device and a second control device. The system can further include a communications interface communicatively coupled to the first processing board. The communications interface includes one or more input/output ports configured to facilitate communication between the avionics system and one or more external devices. The first control device of the first processing board is communicatively coupled to the second control device of the second processing board via a shared bus. The first control device is configured to regulate communications associated with the communications interface.