Lynx to support communication protocols for deterministic systems based on NXP processors

Featuring time-sensitive networking (TSN) endpoint and switching capabilities, systems based on the LS1028A SoCs can flexibly host real-time application processing for sensor fusion, actuation, and gateway functionality, on next-generation deterministic Ethernet vehicle networks.

TSN is becoming the backbone of mission-critical military and aerospace applications. Ethernet is widely deployed in today’s mission systems. However, deterministic applications have traditionally required separate physical networks and bus protocols such as ARINC 429 and MIL-STD-1553. As aircraft, drones and urban mobility systems increasingly demand autonomous features that bridge vehicle control and mission systems computing domains, technologies such as TSN are fundamental in safely consolidating infrastructure and integrating multi-domain applications. Systems featuring the combination of LS1028A SoC and LYNX MOSA.ic enable architects and developers to target application deployments anywhere in the network topology so that they are ready to satisfy the most stringent safety and security standards including DO-178C DAL A and DO-326A/356A SAL 3. Use cases in safety critical vehicles and flight systems include inner loop controls (flight controls, fly-by-wire, engine controls, autopilot, autonomy-related-functions), displays (artificial horizon, primary flight display, engine status), situational awareness communications and vehicle-to-ground / vehicle-to-vehicle communications.

Lynx’s software offering for TSN:

• Provides time synchronization between virtual machines in a node and between physical nodes to perform precise task scheduling and accurate logging across a distributed system
• Consolidates multiple workloads sharing a physical Ethernet port with predictable latency and jitter, guaranteed bandwidth and best-effort classes of service
• Delivers transparent access to fully redundant network infrastructure for increased system robustness and reliability

“As aircraft systems become more connected and complex, it is imperative that these networks continue to guarantee that a specific behaviour will happen during a pre-defined timeframe,” said Ian Ferguson, Vice President of Marketing for Lynx. “We are delighted to extend our long-standing relationship with NXP, to provide aerospace and defence system architects a proven solution to reduce development costs, time to market and program risk”.

LYNX MOSA.ic is a multicore real-time operating system environment for building robust and predictable systems for the aerospace and defence sector. LYNX MOSA.ic uniquely leverages modern virtualization hardware technology safely partition application, driver, security and management environments. Additionally, it includes exceptional modularity and interoperability properties to allow a wide variety of software components of different programming languages, runtime environments, and abstraction layers to be reintegrated into a cohesive system.

“NXP processors have a storied tradition of powering contemporary avionics systems, with a strong software ecosystem that has added to a diverse catalogue of innovative aircraft modifications,” said Jeff Steinheider, Vice President and General Manager, Industrial Edge, NXP. “The addition of LYNX MOSA.ic to this ecosystem brings a new flexibility to the most widely deployed TSN processors in the market, enabling the continued development of deterministic solutions required by modern aircraft.”