Virtualizing IFEC Systems for Rapid Software Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current testing and verification processes for in-flight entertainment and communications (IFEC) systems are inefficient, requiring significant infrastructure and time to set up physical replicas for testing, which delays deployment and increases costs, especially when dealing with multiple aircraft configurations and software updates.
Innovation Solution
A virtual private cloud is used for testing and verification, allowing for the instantiation of virtual machines with simulated hardware and network connections that can automatically adapt to different configurations, enabling rapid deployment and testing of IFEC software without the need for physical replicas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical replicas of IFEC systems are set up for testing and verification, then testing accuracy and reliability are improved, but infrastructure costs and setup time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies (virtual machines) of the IFEC system components instead of physical replicas. These virtual machines replicate the hardware and software architecture of the actual IFEC system, allowing comprehensive testing without the need for expensive physical test racks. The virtualization platform instantiates multiple virtual instances that can be rapidly deployed and configured.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical testing infrastructure with a software-based virtualization system. Instead of physically assembling and configuring test equipment, the system uses virtual machine images, virtual network configurations, and software-defined hardware abstractions to create a fully functional test environment that eliminates the need for physical replicas.
2Reliability
If physical replicas of IFEC systems are set up for testing and verification, then testing completeness is improved, but deployment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures virtual machine images with the necessary hardware abstractions, software environments, and network configurations before actual testing is needed. These virtual machine images can be stored and rapidly instantiated when testing is required, eliminating the time-consuming process of setting up physical test equipment from scratch for each testing scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic testing environment where virtual machines can be rapidly instantiated, configured, and destroyed based on testing needs. The virtualization platform allows for flexible allocation and reconfiguration of computing resources, enabling the test environment to adapt quickly to different testing scenarios without the constraints of fixed physical infrastructure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If physical replicas are configured for different aircraft configurations, then system adaptability is improved, but reconfiguration time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal virtualization platform that can host multiple virtual machine images representing different aircraft configurations. A single physical infrastructure can support testing for various aircraft types and configurations by loading appropriate virtual machine images, eliminating the need for separate physical test racks for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the configuration parameters of the test environment by loading different virtual machine images with predefined hardware abstractions and software configurations. Instead of physically reconfiguring equipment, the system modifies software parameters and virtual device configurations to match different aircraft specifications, enabling rapid adaptation to various testing scenarios.
4Reliability
If extensive testing infrastructure is established, then software update verification reliability is improved, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual machine copies to perform software update verification instead of maintaining expensive physical test infrastructure. The virtualized environment provides sufficient fidelity for comprehensive testing while consuming significantly fewer resources in terms of space, power, and maintenance costs compared to physical replicas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent consolidates multiple testing functions and multiple aircraft configuration tests into a single virtualized infrastructure. By merging the testing capabilities for different configurations and update verification into one shared platform, the system reduces duplicate infrastructure requirements and lowers overall operational costs while maintaining comprehensive testing coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A testing and verification system for an equivalent physical configuration of an in-flight entertainment and communications system with one or more hardware components includes a virtual machine manager. One or more virtual machines each including a hardware abstraction layer is instantiated by the virtual machine manager according to simulated hardware component definitions corresponding to the equivalent physical configuration of the hardware components. The virtual machines are in communication with each other over virtual network connections. A test interface to the one or more virtual machines generate test inputs to target software applications installed on the virtual machines. A display interface is connected to the virtual machines, with results from the execution of the target software applications responsive to the test inputs are output thereto.