LOFTER-网易轻博

IMA concept based on the standard components

On-board equipment based on open network architecture and unified computing platform shall be considered as the IMA concept. Expression «Integrated» is used as shared resource cohesion — power supplies, processor, memory, communication buses and input/output sources for one task solution — management. On-board equipment systems functions in this case are performed by SW applications that share unified computing and informational resources. Expression «Function» is a key definition for the IMA concept. Expression «Aircraft (AC) function» stands for functional capabilities which can be provided by hardware (HW) and software (SW) that are installed at the AC, for instance: navigation, communication, displaying and others.

Fig 1. IMA concept based on standard components.

Transition to the IMA allowed switching from «on system — one function» concept to multifunctional structure — «a number of functions in one single compute core».It’s less technically complicated to solve this issue if you separate HW and SW platforms (make them separated from the compute core). In actual fact functions integration, which previously was considered as systems integration, in new on-board equipment (OBE) generation resolves into database of functions/signals and SW-level function communicator development.

The need of aircraft components cost reduction by expanding the number of producers and operational efficiency at the expense of smaller than a replaceable unit resulted in the hardware and software modularity in the OBE new generation.

The following pieces shall be considered as main unified components: crate basic load bearing construction, general purpose processor module, network switch module, signal concentrator module, optic/electric converter module, power supply module, displays with graphic processors and flat display panels. The following pieces shall be considered as HW components included into the computer core: computer core basic load bearing construction, mezzanines — graphic controller, mass storage and input-output.

IMA concept
On-board equipment (OBE) architecture expects different (regarding their purposes) devices plugging in, for example data sensors through standard concentrators to the computer core that implements functional SW. Functional SW resources allocation is carried out under real-time OS control.

Multifunctional concept and modularity give a chance to implement integrated and modifiable OBE structure with reduced cost.

Open architecture and level of unification allow implementing different producerscomponents during the certain aircraft (AC) OBE design. It also reduces development cost. 

Fig 2. Advanced OBE architecture.

 Modern OBE architecture based on IMA concept

Modern OBE architecture based on IMA concept bounds into the single suite different aircraft systems.

It is the complex informational-navigational system.

On-board equipment suite structure is implemented with implementation of minimum set of unified interchangeable open standard components (modules, system) with high performance and energetic efficiency.

Implemented architecture is build up based on zoomed IMA with aim to increase the performance rate, data transfer reliability, interference resilience, communications connection weight characteristics reduction and input/output devices.

In IMA platform advanced interfaces and protocols between functions, sensors and regulating units that provide effective build-up of dynamic structures with network arrangement are implemented.

Independent from hardware products are used as software.

Fig3. Modern OBE architecture based on the IMA.