Distributed IMA and DO-297: Architectural, communication and certification attributes

Distributed integrated modular avionics (DIMA) and DO-297 are currently evaluated approaches in the aerospace domain. These approaches provide concepts for the development and certification of future system architectures. DIMA is an architectural approach consisting of distributed hosts connected by a safety-critical communication system. This communication system has to provide different attributes to support a modular and integrated architecture. DO-297 deals with modular certification which is a prerequisite for the certification of such architectures. The combination of the distributed approach and the certification standard allows setting up efficient processes for development and certification in which the process is directly supported by the characteristics of the communication system. This paper describes these characteristics, the connection between the distributed architectural approach, its core communication system and the development and certification process. Based on the attributes of the communication system and its open interfaces, a DIMA architectural approach is conceivable which provides safety-critical and secure communication, distributed integration, hierarchical separation, partitioning and physical distribution in addition to IMA properties like flexibility, modularity, reusability and interoperability.