2nd generation IMA: Extended virtualization capabilities for optimized architectures

2nd generation of integrated modular architectures (IMA) should be more generic, reconfigurable and scalable to be adopted for different aircraft platforms. Ultimately this leads closer to the concept of a distributed embedded real-time computer, which can host different critical and non-critical functions using few generic components, while ensuring deterministic sharing of common computing and networking resources for time-, safety-, and mission-critical functions. With ARINC653 and deterministic networks, system architects can utilize time- and space-partitioning mechanisms which enable embedded virtualization and integration of mixed-criticality functions on one computing module, in the context of an IMA architecture. This paper proposes the utilization of additional synchronous, time-triggered Ethernet quality-of-service (QoS) enhancements in IEEE802 Ethernet and ARINC664 networks to support both bandwidth time-partitioning and system-wide (or system-level) time-partitioning. Ethernet-based system architectures with time-driven communication capabilities enable tight control of jitter and strict determinism with far reaching consequences on embedded system virtualization, architecture design and optimization in avionics, transportation system and process automation. Extended embedded virtualization capabilities with time-partitioning of distributed embedded resources support design of new optimized generic integrated architectures, which are less complex to integrate, maintain, expand, reconfigure, certify, and modernize.