Open Ethernet-Based Embedded Platforms for Integrated Modular Architectures and Autonomous Systems

By adopting the latest developments from other critical (e.g. integrated modular avionics) and high-volume automotive industries with safety requirements (ADAS and autonomous driving), the rotorcraft industry could reduce system lifecycle costs and gain new integrated platform capabilities which support incremental modernization, simplify upgrades and modifications for different missions or rotorcraft platforms. A specific set of architecture design patterns and computational models, used in integrated modular architectures, enables the design of less complex integrated systems which can collect and process all system sensor data in (hard) real-time, supports seamless sensor data fusion for IVHM, and enables the integration of critical and non-critical functions. Accompanied with robust system engineering, RTCA DO-254 / DO-178C DAL A/B design assurance and extended use of ASIL-D-compliant (automotive) components, novel integrated architectures for rotorcraft can be designed to fit with robust modular form factors such as VPX. Such integrated architectures can be extended with COTS computing and sensor fusion LRUs/ECUs used for automotive ADAS/ADS (advanced driver assistance systems/autonomous driver systems) and rapidly progressing autonomous driving applications.