Computer Life-Cycle Management System for Avionics Software as a Tool for Supporting the Sustainable Development of Air Transport

Abstract

The article presents selected results of analytical and design works undertaken at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in the field of building a computer support and software lifecycle management system that is critical for flight safety. The aim of the work undertaken is to develop methods and carry out verification and testing in order to detect errors in the developed avionics software for compliance with the requirements of the DO-178C standard and its production, certification, and implementation on board aircraft. The authors developed an original computer system within the implemented requirements used in the construction and certification of avionic onboard devices and their software (among others, DO-254, DO-178C, AQAP 2210, ARP 4761, ARP 4754A). The conducted analysis involved three basic groups of avionics software development processes, i.e., software planning, creation, and integration. Examples of solutions implemented in the constructed computer system were presented for each of these process groups. The theoretical basis of the new method for predicting vulnerabilities in the software implemented within integrated avionic systems using branching processes is discussed. It was demonstrated that the possibility of predicting vulnerabilities in future software versions could have a significant impact on assessing the risk associated with software safety in the course of its lifecycle. It was indicated that some of the existing quantitative models for analyzing software vulnerabilities were developed based on dedicated software data, which is why actual scenario implementation may be limited. DO-178C standard requirements for the process of developing avionics software were implemented in the helmet-mounted flight parameter display system constructed at AFIT. The requirements of the DO-178C and AQAP 2210 standards were shown to be met in the example of the software developed for a graphics computer, managing the operating modes of this system.

The Dynamic Change in the Reliability Function Level in a Selected Fire Alarm System during a Fire

“…Also, this must be concurrent with the system's working and real-time signals [42][43][44]. The diagnostic process should enable a credible assessment of the technical states of all elements making up an ESS [45][46][47]. The surveillance process should also be implemented in the course of a fire hazard-devices operating under adverse environmental conditions.…”

Selected Issues Associated with the Operational and Power Supply Reliability of Fire Alarm Systems

“…However, the designers of such important security systems often fail to consider changes in room or building functionality after a long period of operation [1,[85][86][87]. The authors believe that such changes in the intended use of rooms should be reported by the technical supervisors of the facility to the service team of such systems, and this should be reflected modifying, e.g., detectors or detection loops or circuits of the entire FAS [88][89][90]. Modifications to the design should also take into account the functional and power supply reliability (developing a new energy balance) of new FAS devices or elements.…”

Assessing the Operation System of Fire Alarm Systems for Detection Line and Circuit Devices with Various Damage Intensities

“…Important, reliability-impacting issues that should be taken into account within the FAS operating process are electromagnetic interference [27,45], maximum permissible temperature changes in building rooms with installed detectors [46,47], as well as changes to accelerations, vibrations and shocks in electronic elements [48,49]. In the case of the studies discussed above, individual factors disturbing the FAS operation process were always considered separately.…”