Deterministic end-to-end delay analysis in an avionics network

Avionics Full DupleX Switched Ethernet is a deterministic communication protocol for distributed embedded real-time applications over asynchronous channels. It is a promising technique that can replace the existing avionics data buses, such as ARINC429 and MIL-STD-1553B. One of the key challenges for deploying and maintaining Avionics Full DupleX Switched Ethernet is to determine the end-to-end transmission delay in such a network. This article aims at handling this challenge effectively applying a completely theoretical analysis. An analytical method based on the network calculus theory is presented in detail to calculate the end-to-end transmission delay in an Avionics Full DupleX Switched Ethernet network, which consists of many interconnect nodes with different scheduling disciplines. Further, this approach is improved by taking into account the effects of source node initial jitter and first in, first out optimization. Additionally, a Matlab/TrueTime simulation platform is constructed to verify the effectiveness of the method. Simulation results show that switches with advanced scheduling algorithms, i.e. static priority scheduling, can significantly improve the delay performance in a multi-hop network.

[1]  Jérôme Ermont,et al.  Model for worst case delay analysis of an AFDX network using timed automata , 2010, 2010 IEEE 15th Conference on Emerging Technologies & Factory Automation (ETFA 2010).

[2]  Giorgio C. Buttazzo,et al.  Rate Monotonic Analysis: The Hyperbolic Bound , 2003, IEEE Trans. Computers.

[3]  J.-L. Scharbarg,et al.  Stochastic network calculus for end-to-end delays distribution evaluation on an avionics switched Ethernet , 2007, 2007 5th IEEE International Conference on Industrial Informatics.

[4]  Christian Fraboul,et al.  Real-time characteristics of Switched Ethernet for "1553B"-Embedded Applications: Simulation and Analysis , 2007, 2007 International Symposium on Industrial Embedded Systems.

[5]  Jean-Yves Le Boudec,et al.  Application of Network Calculus to Guaranteed Service Networks , 1998, IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory.

[6]  Jérôme Ermont,et al.  Methods for bounding end-to-end delays on an AFDX network , 2006, 18th Euromicro Conference on Real-Time Systems (ECRTS'06).

[7]  Sérgio D. Penna.  Networking in modern avionics: challenges and opportunities , 2011, SIGBED.

[8]  Rene L. Cruz,et al.  A calculus for network delay, Part II: Network analysis , 1991, IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory.

[9]  Christian Fraboul,et al.  Full Duplex Switched Ethernet for Next Generation "1553B"-Based Applications , 2007, 13th IEEE Real Time and Embedded Technology and Applications Symposium (RTAS'07).

[10]  Christian Fraboul,et al.  Improving the Worst-Case Delay Analysis of an AFDX Network Using an Optimized Trajectory Approach , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics.

[11]  Eric Rondeau,et al.  Evaluation of switched Ethernet in an industrial context by using the Network Calculus , 2002, 4th IEEE International Workshop on Factory Communication Systems.

[12]  Matthew John Luckie,et al.  Per-hop Internet Measurement Protocols , 2007 .

[13]  F. Frances,et al.  Using network calculus to optimize the AFDX network , 2006 .

[14]  Protocols for Aerospace Control Systems A Comparison of AFDX , ARINC 429 , CAN , and TTP , 2009 .

[15]  Christian Fraboul,et al.  Analysing end-to-end delays on an AFDX network by simulation , 2006, Communication Systems and Networks.

[16]  Christian Fraboul,et al.  Improving end-to-end delay upper bounds on an AFDX network by integrating offsets in worst-case analysis , 2010, 2010 IEEE 15th Conference on Emerging Technologies & Factory Automation (ETFA 2010).

[17]  Enrique Hernández-Orallo,et al.  Analysis of Switched Ethernet for Real-Time Transmission , 2010 .

[18]  F. Ridouard,et al.  Stochastic upper bounds for heterogeneous flows using a Static Priority Queueing on an AFDX network , 2008 .

[19]  Christian Fraboul,et al.  A generic simulation model for end-to-end delays evaluation on an avionics switched Ethernet , 2007 .

[20]  R.L. Alena,et al.  Communications for Integrated Modular Avionics , 2007, 2007 IEEE Aerospace Conference.

[21]  Jean-Yves Le Boudec,et al.  Network Calculus: A Theory of Deterministic Queuing Systems for the Internet , 2001 .

[22]  M. Boyer,et al.  Tightening end to end delay upper bound for AFDX network calculus with rate latency FIFO servers using network calculus , 2008, 2008 IEEE International Workshop on Factory Communication Systems.

[23]  Christian Fraboul,et al.  Modelling and simulation of an avionics full duplex switched Ethernet , 2005, Advanced Industrial Conference on Telecommunications/Service Assurance with Partial and Intermittent Resources Conference/E-Learning on Telecommunications Workshop (AICT/SAPIR/ELETE'05).

[24]  Christian Fraboul,et al.  Methods and Tools for the Temporal Analysis of Avionic Networks , 2010 .

[25]  Eric Rondeau,et al.  A design process of switched Ethernet architectures according to real-time application constraints , 2006, Eng. Appl. Artif. Intell..

[26]  Insup Lee,et al.  Formal modeling and analysis of the AFDX frame management design , 2006, Ninth IEEE International Symposium on Object and Component-Oriented Real-Time Distributed Computing (ISORC'06).

[27]  Xue Liu,et al.  Scheduling design and analysis for end-to-end heterogeneous flows in an avionics network , 2011, 2011 Proceedings IEEE INFOCOM.

[28]  Christian Fraboul,et al.  A Probabilistic Analysis of End-To-End Delays on an AFDX Avionic Network , 2009, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics.

[29]  Rene L. Cruz,et al.  A calculus for network delay, Part I: Network elements in isolation , 1991, IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory.