Safe in the air with dSPACE, Inc.

Products from dSPACE now support AFDX, the databus standard widely used in aircraft construction. AFDX ensures communication between line replacement units (LRUs) in aircraft systems (cockpit, cabin, engines, fuel system, etc.) on board the new Airbus 380 and other aircraft. dSPACE is the world's leading provider of tools for developing and testing mechatronic control systems, and the new AFDX Interface Solution now adds AFDX connection to its portfolio.

Reliable Avionics with AFDX-Capable Test Systems from dSPACE

AFDX is the new standard for data interchange between LRU subsystems in the aviation industry. By using AFDX-capable hardware and software tools from dSPACE, users working on aircraft construction can develop reliable electronic control systems faster. In rapid control prototyping (RCP), for example, design faults can be detected and corrected at a very early stage of development. When the tools are used in hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation to simulate the controller's environment (sensors, actuators, plant) in the model, numerous virtual test runs can be implemented in a very short time.

This enhances the quality of functions, at the same time reducing the dangers inherent in the real tests that have to be performed. The necessary number of prototypes is also considerably reduced, which not only cuts the workload involved in testing but also the costs. Thus, start of production is guaranteed to be punctual with significantly lower resource consumption.

Professional Development Support for All Major Databus Standards

The AFDX Interface Solution now joins two other important network protocols already supported by dSPACE, ARINC 429 and MIL-STD-1553, to round off the company's portfolio for databus connections in the aerospace sector:

The AFDX Solution Interface connects a modular dSPACE system with the AFDX network. The main components on the modular board are an ETX module, which is like an integrated computer acting as a gateway, and a PCI Mezzanine Card that provides the AFDX interface. AFDX itself is used as the main databus in the Airbus 380 and in other upcoming aircraft models.

The ARINC interface also connects a dSPACE system – a dSPACE Simulator or a prototyping system – with an ARINC 429 databus. Typical applications are in research & development, simulation, rapid prototyping, and production and release tests.

For avionics with medium-speed data communication in aerospace applications, MIL-STD-1553 is the established standard. The DS4401 MIL-STD-1553 Interface Board offered by dSPACE supports dual-redundant databuses and is ideal for use in function development and hardware-in-the-loop simulation.

All the boards mentioned are configured graphically via Real-Time Interface, after which links and ports are defined to connect the simulation with the real components.

Customer-Specific Interface Development

On request, dSPACE also provides further interfaces that are adapted to the individual requirements of customer-specific projects. For example, various dSPACE processor boards can be connected to another computer system via the 100-Mbit/s Ethernet Solution.