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Generic avionics scalable architecture

Objective



Objectives and content

Implementation of CNS/ATM functionalities on-board aircraft in order to allow airlines to operate in the ICAO FANS environment will have a major impact on current avionics equipments and architecture due to the fact that the added functionalities (and mainly those relative to Flight Management and to Communication Management) will exceed the capacity of current airborne computers (in particular FMS). Therefore software but also hardware updates and consequently new equipments are required for allowing CNS/ATM integration.
The objective of this project is to define and to validate through a demonstrator a generic scalable computing architecture which could be used as a general purpose multi-applications computing platform into avionics providing CNS/ATM functionalities and, as expected, other avionics functionalities, with particular emphasis on passenger revenue aircraft (AIRBUS, ..).

This approach which is in line with the new ACR (Avionics Computer Resource) concepts, decouples the application software which will provide the avionics functionalities from the underlying hardware platform. This will allow airlines to gradually implement CNS/ATM software functions with potential mixed levels of criticality, independently from any specific hardware platform, with the expected result to reduce certification efforts within existing and future aircraft. This approach is viewed as being realistic and beneficial considering that the FANS operability will come about in phases and necessitate incremental updates to the software programs to transition into each new phase of FANS. The first phase of the project is intended to refine user requirements in terms of operational, support, functional as well as certification needs. Review of current work on Advanced Avionics will also be done.

The second phase of the project is aimed to define advanced avionics architecture concepts for the realization of high integrity multi-functional avionics systems, including broadband high speed data communications.
The third phase will concern the development of a demonstrator in order to validate the resulting architecture concepts with particular emphasis on integration of relevant commercial on the shelf technologies.
The fourth phase will then be dedicated to the validation of the generic scalable architecture with the involvement of airline operators, airframe manufacturers and airworthiness authorities, in order to assess concept validity, certification issues and expected benefits.

The industrial objective of this generic scalable computing architecture is to allow European manufacturers to develop common computing platforms (not-technology dependent) as part of their product line .
As FANS capabilities will affect approximately 10.000 existing and future aircraft worldwide over the next several years, the economical and industrial impact of this project is of a tremendeous importance for European manufacturers and to airline operators Derived products are estimated to be available for the market from mid-99.

The GASCA project will be a major initiative conducted at the European level in 'Advanced Avionics'. The partnership for this project, both in terms of expertise and involvement in the avionics field will guarantee that such a development will bring economic and social benefits to Europe and will particularly contribute to the improvement of the European industry competitiveness.

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Call for proposal

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Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

Dassault Electronique S.A.
EU contribution
No data
Address
55,Quai Marcel Dassault
92214 Saint-Cloud
France

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Participants (9)

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Last update: 19 April 2002

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/BRPR960174

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