Integration of Data Distribution Service into Partitioned Real-time Embedded Systems

Data Distribution Service (DDS) middleware facilitates interoperability and portability of components by building the underlying communication network in mixed-criticality systems with real-time requirements, especially those in conformity with Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) technical standard. Partitioning is the key technology permitting applications with different levels of criticality to execute in a same hardware on strict isolation in time and space. A system architecture is proposed to realize the integration of DDS into partitioned real-time embedded systems compliant with ARINC-653 specification. The architecture allows communications among applications through the DDS middleware, whether they are executed in a partitioned system or not. Then an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) combat scenario is simulated to exemplify - the design feasibility. Evaluation tests show the communication stability can be obtained whether an ARINC-653 compliance system interconnect with heterogeneous systems or homogeneous systems. Based on the reliable configuration, the average communication time is stable at around 272.0 mu s in former situation and 281.32 mu s in the latter. And the specific performance difference between the two cases is further analyzed.