A software-first methodology for definition and evaluation of advanced avionics architectures

Since software has become the major cost driver among the avionics subsystems, a methodology has been developed for definition of advanced avionics architectures with special emphasis on software. It utilizes explicit software contributing factors for avionics architecture design and assessment. The methodology is based on a four-step process: definition of candidate data management systems (DMSs), definition of candidate avionics architectures, architecture evaluation from software and other subsystem viewpoints, and architecture evaluation from total avionics system viewpoint. User-defined software contributing factors, along with those for other subsystems, are used to define and evaluate the architectures objectively. The methodology was applied to a generic avionics system, resulting in a set of candidate avionics architectures and associated evaluation data.<>