Dependability of Digital Computers on Board Airplanes

This paper deals with digital computers on board airplanes. Only the systems unde Aerospatiale’s responsibility are dealt with. The airplanes involved are the Airbus and the ATR By studying the evolution of these aircraft families, it can be seen that digital computing systems are becoming increasingly numerous and used in increasingly critical functions Aerospatiale has therefore had to adapt its design and certification methods to suit. A lesson to be drawn from this experience is that a problem cannot be solved unless a global approach is used covering all issues.