Using OPNET to evaluate Fibre Channel as an avionics interconnection system

Avionics architectures are evolving from “Federated” systems consisting of highly specialized black boxes connected together via MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC 429 data buses to “Integrated” and “Distributed” architectures. These new architectures contain high data-rate sensors, parallel processors, and shared memory with high levels of integration. These systems require a new interconnection system that overcomes the limitations of older standards. Fibre Channel is a family of ANSI standards that define an interconnection system well suited to this task. This paper evaluates Fibre Channel as an avionics interconnection standard. It begins by defining the requirements and measures of performance for an interconnection system suitable for the new avionics architectures. The requirements address technical performance, affordability, reliability, sustainability, and maintainability considerations. The Fibre Channel standards are then briefly compared to the requirements for the avionics interconnection system. It is shown that a switched fabric Fibre Channel system can meet the requirements. In order to perform a technical performance evaluation of a switched fabric avionics interconnection system, a computer simulation model was developed. The OPNET Modeler(R) tool from OPNET Inc. was used to model the components of an advanced avionics system. This tool allows multiple system configurations to be defined and examined completely. The implementation of the model and representative simulation results are discussed in the remainder of the paper