airbus embedded network

Juan LOPEZ - Nathalie COURMONT

November 2007

Embedded network in Airbus Avionics

Fet’2007

Presented by

Juan LOPEZNathalie COURMONT

AIRBUS FranceData Network Specialists

November 2007 Juan LOPEZ - Nathalie COURMONT © A

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Outlines

1 Network technologies in the A320/A330/ A340 families

o1.1 A/C communications

o1.2 ARINC 429

o1.3 limitation & new needs

2 Network technologies in the A380, A400M, A350 and further

o2.1 A/C communications evolution

o2.2 AFDX

o2.3 Field Busses Requirements

o2.4 CAN

Conclusion / Objectives of networks on board


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Ground Information System (AL,Airbus,…)

Back Office

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Connectivity

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A I R L I N E

………

AvionicsARINC 429

IFE

HF/VHF/SATCOM

CABINARINC 429- Ethernet

1 Network technologies in the A320/A330/ A340 families

A340


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The Air/ground communicationsThey provide several means for the communication between aircraft and ground stations for navigation and control: HF, VHF, SATCOM, etc.. (Air Traffic Control, Airline Operational Communications,.. )

The different types of A/C Communications: The Airline passenger communicationsPart of InFlight Entertainment (IFE), it includes communications (telephony, e-mail, ..), information (news, weather, web content..), and interactive services (video games, shopping/e-commerce, surfing the web). Based on Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies

The Cabin operational communicationsThey are used to control of interior lighting, temperature, pressure. They are based on ARINC 429, Ethernet technology

The Avionics CommunicationsThey represent all the information exchanged between the avionics equipment and systems used to the control of the aircraft. It is based principally on ARINC 429. Somes Systems used for internal communications specific technologies (ex; video).

1.1 A/C Communications


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Characteristics: Technology of the years 1970

– Communication unidirectional One bus =One transmitter several receivers (20 Receivers max, 95% bus < 10 Rx on A340)

– One twisted shielded pair 100 m maximum.

– Bit Rates 12 Kbit/s or 100 Kbits/s (Low Speed / High Speed)– ARINC Data words based on 32 bits: The label (8 bits), it identifies the type of

transmitted information, used by the receivers to select the data • Data area (19 bits) which can be: numerical data, discrete data, maintenance data and

Acknowledgement, And ISO Alphabet

• The 5 other bits are used to :Odd Parity bit, Source Destination identifier and the Status of the data

1.2 AVIONICS Communication on ARINC 429

LRU2

1 twisted pair

3 bus: - A vers B, C, D et E - B vers A - E vers A


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• Unidirectional communication

• Low bandwidths 12 Kbit/s or 100 Kbits/s

• Important wiring and the Nbr of pins on the connectors of the equipment (CMC = 120 LRUs in reception, 240 pins)

• Limitation of data format on 429 (ex: 20 bits to code a parameter). Difficulties to support sophisticated communications protocols

Its limitation

The new needs• Important exchanges of data: Dataloading of equipment, data base

=>Bandwidth

•To support Communications protocol more complex based on bi-directional communications : TFTP, ARINC 615,. interactive mode.. etc

=>Need for bidirectional communication to support Complex Protocol

• Increase the sharing of the data: Interdependence of the system are increasing, Data base. Ex The clock => Access to all information

• Flexibility of architecturesFlexibility of architectures of communication : Management of the options. modification of architectures. => Simplification of wiring

•Open the communications: The system in the A/C are not isolated, communication with an open world => Use of standard protocols of communication (TCP/IP)

1.3 Limitations & new needs


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2 Network technologies in the A380, A400M, A350 and further

Ground Information System (AL,Airbus,…)

Back Office

Com

mon P

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tform

Connectivity

C ustomerP ortal

/ AO LS

Com

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A I R L I N E

3rd network

ServerTerminal

Display Switch

Router

WindowsGalley

Seats………

Lights

Avionics(AFDX + ARINC 429 - CAN)

IFECab OpsA/C Ops

BGAN/…/WIFI/CellularHF/VHF/SATCOM

Pax ground services

BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network)


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The Air/ground communicationsSame as A320 ( HF, VHF, SATCOM) , with new needs of bandwidth

The different types of A/C Communications: The Airline passenger communicationsNo major modification, (not applicable to A400M)

The A/C and Cabin operational CommunicationsNew Ethernet network to operate the A/C. Based on Ethernet technology open to operational functions (maintenance, A/C configuration, data exchange with the ground AOC Airline Operational Communications, etc…).

The Avionics CommunicationsThe evolution has two aspects:

1- Inter-System communications: Replacement of the ARINC 429 by a new technology AFDX: A new federator network based on Ethernet technology.

2- Intra-System Communication: To promote a technology of field bus to meet the need of sensor actuator communication. The goal is to avoid to implement specific technology by each system. Problems of the Airline to maintain several technologies: technical Competence, tools

2.1 A/C communications evolution


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AAvionics vionics FFull ull DDupleupleXX Switched EthernetSwitched EthernetBased on a network technology of the data-processing market:

Commutated Ethernet 10/100 Mbit/s in full duplexA deterministic network => Given by predefined path of

communication (Virtual Link) Redundant network. => Hight Availability

SWITCH

SWITCH

SWITCH

SWITCH

SWITCH

SWITCH

SWITCH

SWITCH

SWITCH

SWITCH

LRU

LRU

LRM

LRU

LRM

LRU

SWITCH

SWITCH

SWITCH

SWITCH

LRU

LRM

LRU

LRM

LRU

LRU

2.2 AFDX


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2.3 Field Busses Requirements (1)

IMA

LRU

LRU

SWITCH

LRU

LRU

IMA

AFDX world

CAN node 1

CAN node 2

CAN node n

CAN node 1

CAN node 2

CAN node n

System A

System B

SWITCH

LRU = Line Replaceable Unit IMA = Integrated Modular Avionic (Gateway function)

Supplier xx Supplier yy

AFDX = backbone

CAN = intra / (inter) system network – multiple suppliers


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2.3 Field Busses Requirements (2)

• «OPEN» Field bus required,Free from supplier (no proprietary solution)Standardized

• Wide diffusion within numerous domainsMature technology,Rely on electronic mass market standards, allowing multiple

sources,Well known technologies mastered by our suppliers

• Quality of ServicesDetection fault mechanism,Data integrity mechanism,Determinism

• Reliable Physical Layer according to A/C environment


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Long life of aircrafts (30 years) but small amount of units (around 1 per day gets out from Boeing and Airbus assembly lines) pushes to follow a size market that gives quantities.

The “open” standard, the large tool offer and the price has contributed to CAN success in aircrafts.

CAN on A380 = 420 CAN connections / 75 bussesUsed for avionics application ( Integrated control Panel,

Cockpit Displays, Fire Detection, Power Distribution…)High demanding physical layer: length / # equipments,

1Mbits/s, installation issues“Design Assurance Level” A systems - Certification Lightning protection

ISO Reduced usage perimeter, specifications, installation, data flow

2.4 CAN (1)


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2.4 CAN (2)

Standard components Reduced perimeter


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Conclusion / Objective of networks

Behind the concept, the federative elements are:• Wide re-useable solution,

• Wide Adoption of the solution by Aeronautics community,

• Wide benefits for overall actors ( A/L, A/C Manufacturer, Suppliers),

“ Favour common network technology on board

Ease design,

Simplify manufacturing,

Reduce installation,

Mature products,

Increase reliability,

Flexibility

…….forget technology.”


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Thank you for your attention!


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This document and all information contained herein is the sole property of AIRBUS S.A.S. No intellectual property rights are granted by the delivery of this document or the disclosure of its content. This document shall not be reproduced or disclosed to a third party without the express written consent of AIRBUS S.A.S. This document and its content shall not be used for any purpose other than that for which it is supplied.

The statements made herein do not constitute an offer. They are based on the mentioned assumptions and are expressed in good faith. Where the supporting grounds for these statements are not shown, AIRBUS S.A.S. will be pleased to explain the basis thereof.

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