Avionics & Defense

Safe & Secure Embedded Software

Future Avionics innovations such as software for self-separation, Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) or improved take-off and landing operations demand highest Safety and Security standards. Real-time operating system hypervisor PikeOS fulfils these requirements and exceeds expectations: Its technological supremacy is based on high multi-core performance, embracing CAST-32A principles, and a unique scheduler approach leading to an improved real-time behaviour.

PikeOS and ELinOS in Avionics & Defense

Flexible & Scalable Software Solution for AFDX® compliant Networks

SYSGO‘s ARINC 664 data network software stack is designed to connect any kind of Avionics end-system to an AFDX-compliant data network. Compared to a complex hardware implementation it is more flexible and customizable to any particular situation. The stack is designed to be executed on standard „Custom-off-the-Shelf“ (COTS) hardware. Due to its flexibility and scalability, it can be used as stand-alone on a simple embedded controller as well as inside a fully fledged end system and can be adapted according to the customer use case.

Learn more (PDF) | AFDX® compliant Software Stack

Graphics and GPU Compute

The evolution of graphical performance has delivered ever more complex and user interactive connected devices. In industries that measure product life cycles in decades, new technologies enable new use cases - but also bring new and more complex challenges. We need to have conversations about both traditional ‘graphics use‘ of GPU Compute and AI (Artificial Intelligence) to drive the consolidation of multiple use cases onto complex platforms combining Safety-critical / secure and non-Safety-critical / insecure requirements. The challenge of certifying the devices built is to ensure the Safety and Security of users or passengers, an ever-growing problem for today’s Engineers. How do we ensure a primary flight display running terrain avoidance and synthetic vision is not putting the plane‘s pilot and passengers at risk?

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Enabling Safe and Secure Platforms for Advanced Graphics and Compute

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Safe and Secure In-Cabin Entertainment System

Nowadays, we are used to having entertainment systems in the cabin on long flights, connecting our devices to use E-Mails and other services. These systems have the peculiar need of blocking any entertainment function as soon as a crew member wants to use the PA (public address) system. With PikeOS, the Safety part (PA usage) can be executed with the highest priority, enabling the immediate switch to the PA management from any ongoing activity. In addition, thanks to the PikeOS partitioning system, the passenger can securely connect his device and be sure that no other user in the aircraft system can hack or interact with it, as the connection is managed by a separated and secured partition.

How to address Certification for Multi-Core based IMA Platforms

In modern aircrafts, more and more functions traditionally implemented as Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) will be hosted by Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) modules. At the same time new aircraft programs will require new safety functions, information services and comfort features which will also increase the demand for processing performance of IMA modules. This paper addresses certification aspects of multi-core based IMA platforms with the focus on today's technologies and processes. Furthermore, the paper provides an analysis of potential hardware and software related interference channels between partitions running on a multi-core based platform.

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Accelerating Avionics Design and Deployment with COTS Solutions

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Airbus selects PikeOS as DO-178B Reference Platform for the A350 XWB

The PikeOS safe and secure virtualization platform has been selected by Airbus for the FSA-NG system. The purpose of the FSA-NG system is to provide the pilot with access to applications and information during the flight as well as to provide data for the maintenance team. The key features and requirements of this program include a soft real-time operating system capable of supporting ARINC 653 partitioning, a reliable, safe and secure dedicated high capacity Mass Storage Unit Cabinet, software segregation of application services, and multi-purpose graphical modules dedicated to managing the user’s access to applications through cockpit terminals.

Read the Press Release | Press Release: First A350 Flight

Loadmaster Workstation A400M Transport Aircraft

Loadmaster Control System for A400M Transport Aircraft

As part of the LMWS (Loadmaster Workstation) development, the certifiable PikeOS platform provides safe and secure multi-partitioning. A control and command console is operating data with mixed Safety criticality levels on a single hardware board (several processors with lockstep and high availability). For a safe and secure operation, various applications needed to be combined: Provision of oxygen, fire detection, door opening, tactical software, audio, video monitoring, network and data loading. The simplicity and compactness of PikeOS results in its real-time performance that competes head-to-head with conventional proprietary RTOS solutions by enabling certification to the highest levels and being MILS-compliant.

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Functional Safety

PikeOS has proven its maturity in many military and civil aircraft vehicles, mission-critical operations and is ready for future unmanned aerial systems (UAS), vehicles (UAV) and other autonomous systems. It embodies the Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) / RTCA DO-297 approach and can be certified up to DO-178C DAL A.

DO-178C Certification Kit

Security

The PikeOS separation kernel itself is small in terms of implementation and its little number of system calls allows comprehensive evaluation and validation. As a matter of fact, PikeOS 5.1.3 (x86 64-bit, ARMv8, PowerPC) has passed the Common Criteria EAL5+ certification.

More about Security | Common Criteria Certification Kit

Reduced Complexity saves Weight, Energy, Space and Costs

PikeOS enables integration of a large number of electronic devices onto a single hardware platform.

Integrated Safety reduces Certification Costs

Applications of various levels of criticality and Security are separated from one each other in distinct partitions and can be certified independently.

Extreme Flexibility provides Independence from Suppliers in the Choice of Hardware and Software

PikeOS supports a broad range of hardware architectures and provides interfaces for a wide array of guest operating systems. It is easy to add additional architectures and interfaces (including for legacy code).

Multiple Independent Levels of Security (MILS) Architecture

MILS compliant PikeOS controls communications and provides protection against malicious attack. Common Criteria certification process has been engaged.

Expandability saves Cost in the Development Process

Partitions are simple to configure in a development phase and can even be supplemented and expanded with new applications after entry into service.

Lorng-Term Support

Using the long time supported PikeOS reduces effort in export compliance as it is ITAR free.