System Engineering Approaches for Performance Critical Avionics Embedded Computer Systems Using the Architecture Analysis and Design Language (AADL)

System engineering practice for the design and development of the embedded computer systems in avionics today is significantly more empirical (experimental) than analytical. The result has been typically expensive problems in the integration and evolution of complex systems, whether the program succeeds or fails. The AADL provides a standards-based way to describe the computer architecture hardware and software components in precise terms allowing early analysis and incremental system construction to predictive models. Multiple domains of engineering analysis can be integrated into a single specification. It can be used to bridge system development phases. This new standard-based capability is foundational for advancing our ability to engineer avionics systems early and throughout the lifecycle across the industry. This paper overviews the history, standard, language, analysis methods, advanced architecture research programs using the AADL, provides large model examples, and includes publicly briefed slides from a NATO study on the rapid integration of weapons onto aircraft platforms that recommended the AADL.