Breaking Down IMA and MOSA: Unveiling the Role of Modern Avionics Systems
Welcome back to Genesys Aerosystems’ podcast series, where we delve into the world of Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) and Modular Open Systems Architecture (MoSA). In this second part of our four-part conversation, we continue exploring the differences between IMA and MoSA and their significance in today’s avionics systems.
The discussion begins by examining how the Arinc 653 embedded and partitioned operating system contributes to IMA and plays a crucial role in the MOSA framework. Arinc 653 serves as a common framework for integrating various software functions, allowing different software criticality levels to coexist on a single processor without impacting each other. This enables significant cost, weight, and size reduction while ensuring the safe operation of critical functions like autopilot control alongside non-critical tasks such as controlling coffee maker temperatures.
The conversation further delves into the classification of IMA devices, which encompasses seven distinct classes defined by TSO-C153. Each class represents varying levels of complexity, functionality, and physical development, ensuring that design teams can select devices that meet their specific requirements and performance specifications.
While implementing IMA and MOSA presents numerous benefits, it also comes with challenges. The lack of standardized guidance creates a broad range of interpretation for different design teams, leading to varying approaches and proposals. Nonetheless, the flexibility offered by this approach allows for tailored solutions and encourages practical decision-making based on factors such as economic viability, safety considerations, and compatibility with standard interfaces.
To navigate these challenges effectively, it is crucial to communicate the end goals and vision clearly, accommodating different perspectives and approaches. Practicality and intentionality should guide the implementation process, emphasizing the importance of selecting solutions that align with the specific application’s needs and leverage existing commercial products whenever feasible.
Stay tuned for the remaining parts of this enlightening conversation with the Genesis Aero Systems team, available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Don’t miss out on the insights and expertise shared by our experts. For more information and to catch up on previous episodes, visit the Genesys Aerosystems website at genesis-aerosystems.com. Join us on the next episode of Genesys’s podcast, hosted by Daniel Litwin, the voice of B2B, as we continue unraveling the world of IMA and MOSA.
