Towards optimal design of avionics networking infrastructures

In this work, we address the problem of transforming the process of making design decisions for networking infrastructures in avionics systems from an ad-hoc approach to a systematic, structured approach. Given a set of data communications needs, the goal is to show how a variety of candidate network topologies (e.g. multi-drop bus vs. hub-and-spoke) and avionics protocols such as ARINC 664, MIL-STD-1553B, ARINC 429 and ARINC 825 (CAN), would perform over a continuum of values, and select the best configuration for a given target platform. We have developed a simulation tool based on OPNET which (a) emulates each of the above standards (b) identifies strengths and limitations of each one in handling a given load and characterizes their behavior over a continuum of values, and (c) provides guidelines for the optimal choice to meet the given requirements.