Distributed IMA: Use Cases for Embedded Platforms

Distributed IMA, as described in RTCA DO-297, has been used in different forms since 1980s in avionics and modular aircraft control architectures which deploy synchronous or time-division multiplexing for deterministic communication. Such a time-driven communication enables specific capabilities in architecture and embedded platform design, which cannot be realized by asynchronous communication. In complex integrated systems, Distributed IMA enables full virtualization of embedded resources to host distributed hard RT functions. Distributed IMA supports full separation of controlled objects (actuators), input/output devices and sensors from the computing modules in aerospace and other cross-industry applications. This simplifies reconfiguration, and design of generic open architectures. With synchronous and time-division multiplexing in Ethernet networks, critical functions can also be hosted in open systems or in systems where the behavior of non-critical functions cannot be fully assessed.