The design of complex integrated systems and avionics
architectures relies on the system architect's capability to
manage key system interfaces, and share computing and networking
resources. The capability of Ethernet-based ARINC 664 avionics
networks to handle critical traffic with μs-jitter and fixed
latency can be expanded using the Layer 2 Quality Of Service (QoS)
protocol enhancements described in SAE AS6802. All existing
critical distributed functions using ARINC 664 Virtual Links (VLs)
can operate without congestion and with prescribed maximum
latencies.
This paper discusses basic considerations for how time-triggered
services based on AS6802 standard could enable integration of hard
real-time and audio/video capabilities in advanced ARINC 664-based
IMA architectures. In order to adapt those capabilities to existing
design processes for ARINC 664 networks, time-triggered services
described in SAE AS6802 can be modeled as periodic ARINC664 traffic
with μs-jitter and fixed latency.
Both standards integrated on one switch establish Ethernet as
the deterministic unified Ethernet technology for time-, safety-,
and mission-critical applications, capable of handling any
low-jitter, low-latency and lossless applications. Finally, an
overview is provided which shows how strict communication
determinism influences platform complexity and design of IMA
architectures.
