Integration of Software-Defined Radio Avionics Modules into a Simulated IMA Architecture

This article describes a novel methodology to integrate software-defined avionics modules developed with MATLAB Simulink [1] into a simulated integrated modular avionics (SIMA) architecture. This design methodology and its features enable the system to run multiple parallel IMA partitions based on the ARINC 653 standard [2] to provide the multi-standard avionic radios necessary for communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS). This solution is also a viable candidate for a backup system in case of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) blockages in harsh environments. This method has several particularities: first, the capability to quickly prototype diverse radio avionics applications; second, an automatic targeted environment code generation feature from Simulink models via a hardware interface wrapper; and third, the possibility of final product certifiability through use of a certifiable development environment. The proposed new methodology and its developed tools are successfully tested in hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation and in-flight tests for two avionic modules: the VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) receiver and the instrument landing system receiver (ILS). This case study evaluates the functionality of both avionic modules and assesses the robustness of results in harsh environments such as flight test scenarios. The results are analyzed, and prospective future research is proposed.