An avionic system modeling framework

The complexity of evolving avionic systems and standards demands the need for cost effective risk reduction to facilitate the smooth transition into new technologies. Modeling and simulation techniques are a flexible and cost effective means of achieving this aim. This paper defines an avionic modeling framework for the construction of an avionic system model that can analyse the hardware and software comonents and their interaction in a system. Three modeling domains have been defined: behavioural, performance and visualisation. Behavioural models primarily constitute the software components of a system, the performance models analyse the hardware concepts, and visualisation models enhance the understanding of a proposed system's operation. The Shlaer-Mellor object oriented analysis (OOA) method has been used to develop a specification for the avionic modeling framework. The capabilities of the modeling suite are described including the models of the architecture building blacks of the framework. These include data communication networks, processing modules, memory nad input/output devices. It is discussed how architecture performance bottlenecks can be identified nad how the capacity of the system to support avionic functionality can be derived.