New architecture for improving performance in embedded training system using embedded virtual avionics

T-50´s embedded training system (ETS) has been developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (KAI) using the embedded virtual avionics (EVA). KAI ETS contains several functions of simulation for the air-to-air and air-to-ground combat training. In the architecture of KAI ETS, the target/threat database is the main component of the ETS. Virtual sensors, equipments, and weapons can share the data of target/threat from one source, virtual target/ threat database. EVA data messages for embedded training are transmitted to mission computer (MC) via MIL-STD-1553B card. The interface between the EVA card and MIL-STD-1553B card is used for the TCP/IP communication mechanism over Ethernet. The interface between the MIL-STD-1553B card and MC is 1Mbps command/response multiplexer data buses. The EVA data which is composed of total 6 messages is each transmitted only after MIL-STD-1553B card status request and successful initialization handshake procedure occurs. Although the previous designed KAI ETS has been showed a good performance, it still leaves room for improvement. This paper proposes a new architecture for improving performance in KAI ETS. In the proposed architecture, EVA card is directly connected to MC not via MIL-STD-1553B card. The interface between the MC and EVA is point-to-point UDP/IP communication. Data messages such as weapons launches, terrain maps, radar and electronic warfare, and virtual threats are integrated. The proposed integrated message structure is not needed the checksum process. System integration test results show that the proposed architecture is improved up to 9.1 times compared with the conventional architecture. Therefore, it shows to achieve reliable transmission to the real-time constraints, required by military applications. Also, the proposed architecture can implement low-cost ETS compared with the KAI ETS architecture because MIL-STD-1553B card is removed.