A Distributed Platform for Integrated Modular Avionics: Insights on Future Avionics Systems and Their Certification Requirements

Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA), Distributed IMA (DIMA), and Modular Certification are widely discussed approaches in the aerospace community at the moment. IMA deals with the idea of sharing hardware resources and integrating several aircraft functions into one hardware unit to reduce weight, space, cabling, power consumption and costs. DIMA architectures provide more flexibility to the used hardware by splitting it up into several smaller units, distributed all over the aircraft and connected by a safety-critical communication system. Modular Certification uses the modularity provided by those systems to split their certification into several parts, which reduces development time and effort. Based on these prerequisites, the concept of a distributed and integrated platform solution is introduced. It defines the constraints and services needed for implementing a modular certifiable and flexible platform, which is able to handle all safety-critical functions in an aircraft. This book discusses the platform¿s attributes and certification demands, identifies its requirements and constraints and considers its applications and business opportunities.