A performance measure for a VHSIC avionic system: mission dependent availability

Abstract

A VHSIC (very-high-speed integrated circuit) avionic system is designed to carry out multiple missions, and the determination of whether the system is in the operable state or in the failed state depends on what particular mission the system is to perform at any given moment. Moreover, a VHSIC system contains an important feature, which allows extensive built-in-test capabilities with LRM (line replaceable module) modularity, which in turn gives a reconfiguration capability. For this type of system, the conventional reliability measures are not adequate. The authors introduce a performance and reliability measure, which they call 'mission-dependent availability', to be used for a VHSIC type of system. The measure is used to determine the logistics requirements and also to carry out tradeoff studies involving redundancies, built-in-test capabilities, maintenance actions and the extent of reconfiguration capability.<>