Modular Avionics System Architecture (MASA)-the impact of fault tolerance

Author

Brock, Larry D. ; Schor, Andrei L.

Author_Institution

Charles Stark Draper Lab. Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA

fYear

1990

fDate

15-18 Oct 1990

Firstpage

310

Lastpage

315

Abstract

The Air Force Modular Avionics System Architecture (MASA) program is defining how the advantages of modular avionics can be applied to upgrades of current aircraft. Life cycle cost (LCC) studies performed for the MASA program showed significant savings when a modular architecture was used to integrate at least two or three avionics functions. These studies also showed no significant LCC penalty for the modular implementation of a single function. Other advantages not quantified in the LCC analysis include increased competition, reduced time lag for technology insertion, and more effective implementation of integrated systems and fault tolerance. Some of the more interesting results were for fault-tolerant modular systems which could provide a high probability of full operational capability for a 30-day combat surge with no line maintenance

Keywords

aerospace computing; computer architecture; fault tolerant computing; military computing; military systems; probability; Air Force; Modular Avionics System Architecture; avionics functions; combat surge; fault tolerance; life cycle cost; modular architecture; modular avionics; operational capability; probability; reduced time lag; technology insertion; Aerospace electronics; Cost function; Fault tolerance; Fault tolerant systems; Helicopters; Information analysis; Laboratories; Measurement standards; Military aircraft; Surges;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Digital Avionics Systems Conference, 1990. Proceedings., IEEE/AIAA/NASA 9th

Conference_Location

Virginia Beach, VA

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/DASC.1990.111306

Filename

111306