Avionics I/O Verification Architecture Using Homogeneous Platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-integrity avionics systems require significant development and maintenance costs due to the need for dissimilar hardware and software platforms, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An input/output control system using similar hardware and software resources for both computation platforms, with asymmetric allocation and encapsulation mechanisms, including authentication, dating, and digital signatures to verify data integrity, and independent monitoring modules for functional testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two dissimilar computing platforms are used for COM/MON architecture, then system integrity is improved, but development and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses two computing platforms with identical or similar hardware and software architecture (homogeneous platforms) instead of dissimilar ones. Both platforms run the same operating system and have comparable processing capabilities, which reduces development complexity and maintenance costs while maintaining system integrity through architectural symmetry and verification mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the functional roles of the two platforms: one platform executes the primary application while the other executes a verification application. This functional asymmetry allows integrity verification while using homogeneous hardware and software resources, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Reliability
If two partially dissimilar computing platforms are used with identical hardware but different basic software, then system integrity is improved, but software development and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses identical or similar basic software (operating systems) on both computing platforms, eliminating the need to develop and maintain two different software stacks. The verification is achieved through functional differentiation rather than software dissimilarity, reducing software development and maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the software functionality into primary application execution on one platform and verification application execution on the other platform. This segmentation allows both platforms to use the same basic software while achieving integrity verification through dedicated verification software that monitors and compares operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An input/output control system for at least one avionics application including at least two computing platforms implemented using similar hardware and software resources, each computing platform including a primary stage configured to acquire analogue signals and convert them into digital signals, an intermediate stage configured to digitally process the digital signals to form digital data, and a final stage configured to make the digital data available to the avionics application, the intermediate stage being further configured to encapsulate each processed digital data item, each computing platform further including a verification application configured to verify the encapsulation of each data item received.