A CANbus-based safety-critical distributed aeroengine control systems architecture demonstrator

Recent advances in microelectronics coupled with ever decreasing costs mean that it is now possible to produce very compact and cheap intelligent modu les. For instance, it is now quite common for cars to use a number of intel ligent units with intercommunication to implement complex functions such as traction control. There has also been a move towards embedding processing in sensors and actuators directly with application to the process control, automotive and aerospace sectors. When considering aerospace applications t here are major benefits to be gained by adopting a distributed controller. However, this has to be carried out within the strict design constraints fo r safety-critical systems. This paper discusses design tools and a distribu ted system demonstrator that has been developed to explore future distribut ed control systems. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.