Arinc-818 testing for avionics applications

The ARINC-818 specification is an industry standard that defines a digital video interface link and protocol that is used for high-speed digital video display data communications. This specification enables data generation units and display devices working in aerospace applications to utilize a common link and protocols that supports high-bandwidth data specifically for digital video applications. Aerospace applications currently utilize many different video formats. Video formats differ in their frame rates, resolution, pixel density, and interlacing techniques. The ARINC-818 specification defines how all these video formats are built and mapped to the industry standard fibre channel. This paper provides an overview of the ARINC-818 link and protocols being used for avionics. The paper also discusses the practical testing of an ARINC-818 network, and the testing challenges associated with this highspeed/high data rate application.