The Application of Open System Architecture for Condition Based Maintenance to Complete IVHM

GE Aviation is implementing and applying an open, modular and scalable Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) architecture to provide comprehensive solutions designed to meet end users needs. Through its Systems division, GE Aviation is a world leader in the development and deployment of IVHM Solutions, and has been a leading advocate of Open Standards, in particular through collaborative research programmes such as TATEM (Technologies and Techniques for New Maintenance concepts). Through its extensive Health and Usage Management Systems (HUMS) experience GE Aviation clearly understands the need for both industry standards, and a simple to use software development tool chain, supporting the development of complex IVHM systems with multiple partners. The Open System Architecture for Condition Based Maintenance (OSA-CBM) is a standard for building IVHM applications that helps meet those goals. GE Aviation has implemented an OSA-CBM software framework and toolset that allows the creation of truly integrated, comprehensive IVHM solutions whilst protecting 3rd party IPR within executable modules. This paper identifies specific benefits GE Aviation have identified through the application of such a standard in comprehensive IVHM solutions, including the complete aircraft, engines and ground support infrastructure.