The application of COTS technology in future modular avionic systems

Current avionic systems make extensive use of military specifications and standards but are based on dedicated implementations for individual avionic functions. The result is a proliferation of military devices, software and support environments that are expensive to develop, procure and support. Future systems will be based on integrated modular avionic concepts in which all functions are implemented on a common processing platform constructed from a standard set of hardware and software modules. The paper describes the approach being taken to optimise the application to future modular systems: an architecture based on standardised interfaces will allow modules to be based on commercial components and standards to achieve affordability and exploit rapid advances in commercial technology. At the same time, approaches are being developed to deal with COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) application problems such as short commercial time-scales and loss of control over specifications and standards