The first generation of Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA1G) has been researched via European funded research projects; PAMELA, NEVADA and VICTORIA. This technology supported a revolutionary step away from federated architectures and their classical bespoke electronics to a modular architecture with common resources. IMA1G was introduced to the market on the A380, A400M and B787 aircraft. IMA1G replaces multiple, dissimilar equipment with fewer common processing and I/O modules, sharing high speed communication links.

IMA1G has demonstrated possible implementation and derived benefits when applied to a limited number of aircraft functions for example; the number of processing units in the new A380 is half that of previous generations and a reduction in airline operating costs of between 15 and 20% is expected through significant weight reduction and maintenance savings. However IMA1G is only a first step in the evolution toward a full IMA concept The concept of the SCARLETT project is based on a shared analysis made by the European Aerospace Community, which has identified the need to undertake research leading to a new generation of IMA, defining a scalable, adaptable, reconfigurable fault-tolerant driven and secure avionics platform, namely the DME: Distributed Modular Electronics.

By implementing the innovations in the DME concept, SCARLETT will progress the state-of-the-art beyond the current IMA1G in the following areas:

• scalability, portability and adaptability;
• fault tolerance and reconfiguration capabilities;
• minimise the number of types of standardised electronic modules and
• support a full range of avionics function.

In addition innovations in the area of advanced processes, methods and tools to improve IMA implementation efficiency are proposed. SCARLETT will place European Industry in a strong position to offer a mature common avionics platform solution across a worldwide range of aircraft types, at entry into service.