A Holistic Approach to Model-Based Avionics Systems Development

Model-based software development using design tools such as MATLAB Simulink or Ansys SCADE Suite is usually centered around the specification, simulation and code generation of application layer functions. In this article, we propose a model-based avionics systems development approach that is focused on a broader view of the entire development life-cycle including interface definition, software integration, definition of the physical system architecture, test-rig design and wire-harness manufacturing. The approach is built around a central interface data model, which captures the application layer, transport layer and physical layer interfaces within a system architecture.