A Model-Based Systems Engineering Approach for the Efficient Specification of Test Rig Architectures for Flight Control Computers

The validation, verification, and integration of flight control computers (FCC) for today's increasingly complex flight control systems are generally on the critical path in aircraft development programs. Therefore, the test rig for the FCC, being a complex system itself, needs to be developed in a very short timeframe, starting the specification with many uncertainties about the system under test. This article presents a model-based system engineering (MBSE) methodology for the efficient specification of test rigs for FCCs. A systematic analysis of the prevailing common elements and variability in test rigs is presented. This analysis translates into a generic and reusable specification framework allowing the efficient and effective specification of new test rigs. The proposed MBSE approach covers operational and functional needs analysis and generic logical and physical architecture modeling at two levels of detail. A variant management capability is implemented to manage the different types and configurations of test rigs. This article closes a gap in the literature about test rig specification for modern FCC and contributes to the maturation of MBSE approaches and their practical implementation in the industry context.