Fet’2007 November 2007

Presented by

Juan LOPEZ
Nathalie COURMONT
AIRBUS France
Data Network Specialists

Embedded network in Airbus Avionics

Juan LOPEZ - Nathalie COURMONT

 Outlines
1 Network technologies in the A320/A330/ A340 families
o1.1 A/C communications
o1.2 ARINC 429
o1.3 limitation & new needs

2 Network technologies in the A380, A400M, A350 and further

o2.1 A/C communications evolution
o2.2 AFDX
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o2.3 Field Busses Requirements

o2.4 CAN

Conclusion / Objectives of networks on board

Juan LOPEZ - Nathalie COURMONT November 2007 Page 2
 1 Network technologies in the A320/A330/ A340
families

A34
Avionics CABIN 0
ARINC 429
IFE
ARINC 429- Ethernet

………

HF/VHF/SATCOM

Connectivity
AIRLINE
Common P. Platform
Connectivity
Platform (s)

Custom
er
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Portal
/ AOLS BackOffice

Ground Information System (AL,Airbus,…)

Juan LOPEZ - Nathalie COURMONT November 2007 Page 3

 1.1 A/C Communications
 The Air/ground communications
They provide several means for the communication between aircraft and
ground stations for navigation and control: HF, VHF, SATCOM, etc.. (Air
Traffic Control, Airline Operational Communications,.. )
 The different types of A/C Communications:
The Airline passenger communications
Part of InFlight Entertainment (IFE), it includes communications (telephony,
e-mail, ..), information (news, weather, web content..), and interactive
services (video games, shopping/e-commerce, surfing the web). Based on
Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies
 The Cabin operational communications
They are used to control of interior lighting, temperature, pressure. They are
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based on ARINC 429, Ethernet technology

 The Avionics Communications
They represent all the information exchanged between the avionics
equipment and systems used to the control of the aircraft. It is based
principally on ARINC 429. Somes Systems used for internal
communications specific technologies (ex; video).
Juan LOPEZ - Nathalie COURMONT November 2007 Page 4
 1.2 AVIONICS Communication on ARINC 429
 Characteristics: Technology of the years 1970
– Communication unidirectional One bus =One transmitter several receivers (20 Receivers max, 95% bus < 10 Rx on A340)
– One twisted shielded pair 100 m maximum.
– Bit Rates 12 Kbit/s or 100 Kbits/s (Low Speed / High Speed)
– ARINC Data words based on 32 bits: The label (8 bits), it identifies the type of
transmitted information, used by the receivers to select the data
• Data area (19 bits) which can be: numerical data, discrete data, maintenance data and
Acknowledgement, And ISO Alphabet
• The 5 other bits are used to :Odd Parity bit, Source Destination identifier and the Status of the
data

LRU2
1 twisted pair
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3 bus: - A vers B, C, D et E
- B vers A
- E vers A

Juan LOPEZ - Nathalie COURMONT November 2007 Page 5

 1.3 Limitations & new needs
Its limitation
• Unidirectional communication
• Low bandwidths 12 Kbit/s or 100 Kbits/s
• Important wiring and the Nbr of pins on the connectors of the equipment (CMC = 120
LRUs in reception, 240 pins)
• Limitation of data format on 429 (ex: 20 bits to code a parameter). Difficulties to support
sophisticated communications protocols
The new needs
• Important exchanges of data: Dataloading of equipment, data base
=>Bandwidth
•To support Communications protocol more complex based on bi-directional
communications : TFTP, ARINC 615,. interactive mode.. etc
=>Need for bidirectional communication to support Complex Protocol
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• Increase the sharing of the data: Interdependence of the system are increasing, Data base.
Ex The clock => Access to all information
• Flexibility of architectures of communication : Management of the options. modification of
architectures. => Simplification of wiring
•Open the communications: The system in the A/C are not isolated, communication with an
open world => Use of standard protocols of communication (TCP/IP)

Juan LOPEZ - Nathalie COURMONT November 2007 Page 6

 2 Network technologies in the A380, A400M, A350
and further

Terminal
Server Display
Switch
Router

Avionics
(AFDX + ARINC 429 - CAN)
A/C Ops Cab Ops IFE
3rd network
Lights
………
Windows Seats
Galley

HF/VHF/SATCOM BGAN/…/WIFI/Cellular

Connectivity
AIRLINE
Common P. Platform
Connectivity

Pax ground services

Platform (s)

Custom
er
© AIRBUS UK LTD. All rights reserved. Confidential and proprietary document.

Portal
/ AOLS BackOffice

Ground Information System (AL,Airbus,…)

BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network)

Juan LOPEZ - Nathalie COURMONT November 2007 Page 7

 2.1 A/C communications evolution
 The Air/ground communications
Same as A320 ( HF, VHF, SATCOM) , with new needs of bandwidth
 The different types of A/C Communications:
The Airline passenger communications
No major modification, (not applicable to A400M)
The A/C and Cabin operational Communications
New Ethernet network to operate the A/C. Based on Ethernet technology
open to operational functions (maintenance, A/C configuration, data
exchange with the ground AOC Airline Operational Communications, etc…).
 The Avionics Communications
The evolution has two aspects:
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1- Inter-System communications: Replacement of the ARINC 429 by a new

technology AFDX: A new federator network based on Ethernet
technology.
2- Intra-System Communication: To promote a technology of field bus to
meet the need of sensor actuator communication. The goal is to avoid to
implement specific technology by each system. Problems of the Airline to
maintain several technologies: technical Competence, tools
Juan LOPEZ - Nathalie COURMONT November 2007 Page 8
 2.2 AFDX

Avionics Full DupleX Switched Ethernet

Based on a network technology of the data-processing market:
Commutated Ethernet 10/100 Mbit/s in full duplex
A deterministic network => Given by predefined path of
communication (Virtual Link)
Redundant network. => Hight Availability

LRU
SWITCH
SWITCH SWITCH
SWITCH LRM
LRM SWITCH SWITCH

SWITCH SWITCH LRU

LRU
LRU
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LRU
SWITCH SWITCH

SWITCH SWITCH LRU

LRU
SWITCH SWITCH LRM
LRM
LRU

Juan LOPEZ - Nathalie COURMONT November 2007 Page 9

 2.3 Field Busses Requirements (1)
AFDX = backbone
CAN = intra / (inter) system network – multiple suppliers

Supplier xx Supplier yy
System A

LRU LRU
CAN CAN CAN
node 1 node 2 node n

AFDX
IMA
world

CAN CAN CAN

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node 1 node 2 node n

SWITCH SWITCH
IMA

System B

LRU LRU
LRU = Line Replaceable Unit
IMA = Integrated Modular Avionic (Gateway function)

Juan LOPEZ - Nathalie COURMONT November 2007 Page 10

 2.3 Field Busses Requirements (2)
• «OPEN» Field bus required,
Free from supplier (no proprietary solution)
Standardized

• Wide diffusion within numerous domains

Mature technology,
Rely on electronic mass market standards, allowing multiple sources,
Well known technologies mastered by our suppliers

• Quality of Services
Detection fault mechanism,
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Data integrity mechanism,

Determinism

• Reliable Physical Layer according to A/C environment

Juan LOPEZ - Nathalie COURMONT November 2007 Page 11

 2.4 CAN (1)
Long life of aircrafts (30 years) but small amount of units (around 1 per
day gets out from Boeing and Airbus assembly lines) pushes to
follow a size market that gives quantities.

The “open” standard, the large tool offer and the price has contributed
to CAN success in aircrafts.

CAN on A380 = 420 CAN connections / 75 busses

Used for avionics application ( Integrated control Panel,
Cockpit Displays, Fire Detection, Power Distribution…)
High demanding physical layer: length / # equipments,
1Mbits/s, installation issues
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“Design Assurance Level” A systems - Certification

Lightning protection

ISO Reduced usage perimeter, specifications, installation, data flow

Juan LOPEZ - Nathalie COURMONT November 2007 Page 12
 2.4 CAN (2)

Standard components Reduced perimeter

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Juan LOPEZ - Nathalie COURMONT November 2007 Page 13

 Conclusion / Objective of networks
“ Favour common network technology on board
Ease design,
Simplify manufacturing,
Reduce installation,
Mature products,
Increase reliability,
Flexibility
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…….forget
Behind the concept, the federative elements are:
technology.”
• Wide re-useable solution,
• Wide Adoption of the solution by Aeronautics community,
• Wide benefits for overall actors ( A/L, A/C Manufacturer, Suppliers),

Juan LOPEZ - Nathalie COURMONT November 2007 Page 14

 Thank you for your attention!
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 This document and all information contained herein is the
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The statements made herein do not constitute an offer. They

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in good faith. Where the supporting grounds for these
statements are not shown, AIRBUS S.A.S. will be pleased to
explain the basis thereof.
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