IMCAD - Improving the Cockpit Application Development Process
Overview
Background & policy context:
The civil flight deck and the underlying avionics are undergoing rapid developments. New human-machine interface (HMI) technologies are introduced, as well as a number of new functions to improve safety and operational efficiency. In the avionics area, aircraft integrators are shifting to software solutions on generic hardware. At the same time, human factors certification requires a structured development and validation of the HMI. For efficient development and certification of nowadays cockpit applications, new research and development processes are needed, as are suitable prototyping and design tools.
Objectives:
The main objective of the IMCAD project is to study and validate the use of novel technologies that could considerably reduce development costs and time-to-market for cockpit application development programmes. Particular objectives have been:
- To identify promising ICT technologies
- To improve graphical specification tools
- To improve functional specification tools
- To define an integrated graphical and functional specification format
- To evaluate the impact of and gain experience with the new process and improved tools
Methodology:
IMCAD proposes a UML based development methodology starting already in the prototyping phase. In addition, IMCAD proposes a set of enhanced and better-integrated development tools to contribute to a process that will be much more flexible and more swiftly adaptable to changing customer requirements. Such tools promise a standardised and certifiable design process that would ultimately be expected to enhance aviation safety, enabling a more rapid introduction of new technologies in the cockpit.
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