Single Processor EFB OS Memory Isolation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Class-3 Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs) require separate processors to isolate safety-critical Type C applications from non-critical Type A/B applications, leading to increased weight, power consumption, and cost due to the need for dual processor architecture.

Innovation Solution

A single processor architecture with modified operating system mechanisms to limit access to memory, processing, and display resources, ensuring segregation between critical and non-critical applications through predefined rules, preventing interference and ensuring safe operation of Type C applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate processors are used to isolate Type C applications from Type A/B applications, then safety and reliability are improved, but weight, power consumption, and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety isolationVSAvoidprocessor weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges previously separate Type C and Type A/B application processors into a single integrated processor. The processor includes a Type C application execution core and a Type A/B application execution core on the same physical substrate, eliminating the need for separate hardware processors while maintaining functional isolation through software-based security mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a security monitor as an intermediary component that mediates between Type C and Type A/B applications. The security monitor enforces isolation policies, controls resource access, and prevents interference between application types through software-based security policies rather than physical separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If separate processors are used to isolate Type C applications from Type A/B applications, then safety and reliability are improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety isolationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate processors are used to isolate Type C applications from Type A/B applications, then safety and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety isolationVSAvoidprocessor architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal processor that can execute both Type C safety-critical applications and Type A/B non-critical applications. The single processor is designed to handle multiple application types through configurable security policies and resource management, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining safety requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If access to memory and processing resources is limited through predefined rules, then interference between applications is prevented, but resource utilization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication isolationVSAvoidresource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where the security monitor adjusts resource access permissions based on current system state and security requirements. Resource limits are not fixed but can be dynamically modified to optimize utilization while maintaining isolation, allowing efficient use of memory and processing resources under different operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9223633B2Single processor class-3 electronic flight bag

Publication Date: 2015.12.29 ASTRONAUTICS CORPORATION OF AMERICA

AI summary

An electronic flight bag providing computational services for an aircraft and communicating with aircraft avionics may execute aircraft-design-approved Type-C applications together with non-design-approved Type-A/B on a single processor through specific modifications of the operating system to control memory and processor access thereby providing isolation comparable to that of dual processor systems in which the Type-C applications and Type-A/B applications are executed on different processors.