Controlled Dynamic Libraries for Avionics Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Avionics systems face challenges with dynamically linked libraries due to version control difficulties, potential safety impacts from changes, and uncertainties, which are not suitable for safety-critical applications, leading to increased re-verification and certification costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing controlled dynamic libraries and isolated execution spaces, with a memory management unit to isolate memory access and establish controlled interfaces, allowing dynamic linking while ensuring safety and compliance with aviation regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dynamically linked libraries are used in avionics systems, then library updating efficiency is improved, but system safety and reliability deteriorate due to version control difficulties and potential safety impacts from changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the execution environment into multiple isolated execution spaces, each with its own memory space and execution context. Libraries are loaded into specific isolated spaces, separating them from the main application and other libraries. This segmentation allows independent updating of libraries without affecting the entire system, while maintaining safety through isolation boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an isolated execution space as an intermediary layer between the library code and the main application. This intermediary provides controlled interfaces that mediate all interactions, allowing library updates to occur without direct impact on the application. The isolated space acts as a buffer that enables efficient updates while preserving system safety through its protective boundaries.
2Reliability
If controlled interfaces are established between isolated execution spaces, then system safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional isolation and interface management mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of isolation and interface management into a separate, dedicated isolated execution space infrastructure. By taking out these safety mechanisms as distinct components with standardized interfaces, the main application code remains simple while the safety complexity is contained in the isolated spaces and their controlled interfaces, which can be managed independently.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple isolated execution spaces are created, then library updating capability is improved, but memory management complexity increases due to allocation and access control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The isolated execution space infrastructure provides universal memory management services that handle allocation, isolation, and access control for all libraries and applications. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise be separate memory management complexities into a single standardized system that serves multiple purposes: allocating memory to isolated spaces, enforcing access controls, and enabling library updates without affecting other components.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for providing dynamic libraries in safety critical computing environments are disclosed. Controlled dynamic libraries and isolated execution spaces are utilized. In some embodiments, the controlled dynamic libraries and isolated execution spaces are implemented in full compliance with rules and standards established by aviation regulatory and government agencies, allowing systems utilizing the controlled dynamic libraries to be certifiable for avionics.