Model-based design analysis of an Avionics Fuel Distributed Control System

Abstract

Current development processes of complex safety-critical embedded systems basically demand integrated engineering tools, and a better way to predict software-intensive performance at early design phases by focusing on nonfunctional features such as dependability, safety, etc. A suitable approach for the integration of engineering tools is the Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE). Within this development process framework, the case study in this research work is an Avionic Fuel Distributed Control System (AFDCS) with autonomous controllers embedded in conventional mechanical fuel components. The approach comes from a European Research Project named SmartFuel which already was successfully implemented, tested and validated at laboratory, and real-scaled prototypes. From these experimental results, this paper reviews and reanalyzes the proposed AFDCS architecture design, by focusing on the final business target that is the control software certification for the creation of interoperable Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) fuel components. The information gathered from the testing and validation impacts directly on the initial phases; requirements and design. The Architecture Analysis & Design Language (AADL) was selected as description language for modeling the AFDCS architecture. It is a standard which supports MBSE. Besides, AADL is perfectly suitable for AFDCSs since it allows deploying software models on different computer resources. This paper presents the AFDCS architecture refinement of a particular helicopter fuel system by reviewing and reanalyzing its integrated AADL model. It includes a summary of the main ADFCS architecture concepts, a description of the design analysis methodology based on AADL, the key architecture points analyzed on Helicopter Fuel Distributed Control System (HFDCS), and the results obtained.

Model-Based Development Framework for distributed embedded control of aircraft fuel systems

“…The operations and functions were verified and validated on the real-scale prototype at Eurocopter facilities [6] are the same than those tested on the lab prototypes.…”

“…It was successfully implemented, verified and validated in prototypes [4]. A more detailed explanation of the project can be found in previous publications [5,6].…”

A quality model for critical embedded systems

“…If it is not possible, the systems should present some mechanism for a contingency plan. Studies: Meedeniya et al (2010), Enard et al (2013), Meedeniya, Aleti andMoser (2015), Al-Daajeh, Al-Qutaish and Al-Qirem (2011), Wijnstra (2003), Insaurralde et al (2008), andAhrens et al (2013).…”

“…-Integrity (selected): CES must provide mechanisms to protect its software and data from unauthorized modification, as it may enable malicious person or software to partially or fully compromise the system. Studies: Al-Daajeh, Al-Qutaish and Al-Qirem (2011), Axelsson (2009), Insaurralde et al (2008), Insaurralde et al (2008), andAhrens et al (2013).…”

“…-Authenticity (selected): In order to achieve the other characteristics, suitable authentication mechanisms should be employed to ensure authenticity of person and software entities. Studies: Al-Daajeh, Al-Qutaish and Al-Qirem (2011) and Insaurralde et al (2008).…”