S@T

Objectives

The objective of the SAT project is to develop new technologies for aircraft and smarter airborne systems. Five projects are included in the SAT project: two competency centres and three technologies and their associated applications.

Ceces_2: This is a centre for the study of electronic components subjected to radiation and extreme temperature environments (Communauté d’Expertise pour Composants en Environnements Sévères). The behaviour of sensitive components, like MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) sensors or FPGA (field-programmable gate arrays), will be studied in this project. The partners involved are: Thales Alenia Space ETCA (project leader), Cissoid and UCL.

Certif_2: This is a centre for the certification of critical and aeronautical embedded systems, following the embedded software (RTCA DO-178B) and hardware (RTCA DO-254) standards from the US FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and EUROCAE (European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment). The modelling of the certification process, including variations in design, and the management of software and hardware product lines will be considered in this project. The partners involved are: CETIC (project leader), Thales Communications Belgium, Barco Silex and FUNDP.

PHM Compact: The objective of this part is to develop a compact hydrogen maser (atomic clock), based on the cavity magnetron, for use in space and civil applications. The partners involved are: Gillam FEI (project leader), Entreprise Dardenne, UCL and ULg.

HMI Aveugle: The objective of this part is to develop new human-machine interfaces (HMI) for blind interactions between pilot and cockpit instruments or commands. A multi-modal approach, using voice, video, touch screens, etc., will be favoured. The partners involved are: MULTITEL (project leader), Thales Communications Belgium and Gillam FEI.

Simulation Radio/Aéroport: The objective of this part is to study the radio system congestion problem at airports, specifically considering the problems of air traffic control and communication through airport speakers. A virtual reality-based approach, combined with real equipment prototypes, will be followed in this study. This project will involve the two Walloon civil airports (Charleroi and Liege). The partners involved are: Thales Communications Systems (leader), M3 Systems and UCL.

Key Results

The CETIC effort is focused on the Certif_2 sub-project. CETIC is managing this sub-project and has coordinated the gathering of industrial requirements among the partners involved in it. Two cases studies have been identified. In collaboration with the academic partners, a first model of incremental certification has been defined. This model is combining three key aspects: a variability model, a certification process model and a safety model. A specification of the tool support to efficiently support the incremental certification process was also developed.

Added Value for the Enterprises

Certification costs for enforcing safety standards applicable in aeronautics are very high and results in a development effort 3 to 5 times higher than uncertified systems. Certification is of course required to access key market and each new product release must undergo a new examination. The incremental process proposed will help companies to develop efficient reuse strategies based on configuration differences and will results in substantial savings. This will improve the competitiveness and provide a beter access to key markets.