Freescale Facilitates Certification of Systems Using Multicore Processors Through Collaboration with Avionics Manufacturers

A new collaboration group focusing on commercial off-the-shelf multicore processing used in commercial avionics solutions

September 29, 2011, Seoul, Korea — Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE:FSL, www.freescale.com ) has formed a collaborative group with leading commercial avionics manufacturers in North America and Europe to define information requirements for Freescale’s advanced multicore processors used in commercial avionics applications.

The MCFA (Multicore for Avionics) collaboration group was established to help commercial avionics companies take full advantage of the performance, power, and size benefits offered by Freescale’s advanced commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) embedded multicore processors, such as the 8-core QorIQ P4080 device.

The MCFA cooperation group includes BAE Systems, BARCO, Boeing, EADS, ELBIT, GE Aviation, Hamilton Sunstrand, Honeywell, Rockwell Collins, Thales, and Freescale Semiconductor.

Glenn Beck, Avionics Marketing Manager for Freescale’s Networking Processor business unit, stated, “State-of-the-art multicore processors based on Power Architecture® technology are the optimal solution for meeting the demanding requirements of commercial avionics applications,” adding, “As a long-standing supplier of reliable, high-performance processors to the commercial avionics market, Freescale is willing to take a leading role in supporting top-tier avionics companies to realize the benefits of cutting-edge semiconductor designs.”

This week, the DO-254 User Group listened to the MCFA proposal addressing the unique advantages and challenges offered by advanced multicore technology in the avionics certification process. This proposal is the result of an evaluation conducted by the MCFA Cooperation Group and includes recommendations for a universal and consistent certification methodology.

Greg Arundale of Rockwell Collins said, "As the industry continues to strive to develop safer, lighter, and feature-rich commercial aircraft, future avionics systems will leverage the advantages of integration provided by multicore SoCs," adding, "The achievements of the MCFA collaboration group provide the key means necessary to leverage the advantages of next-generation processors offered by the electronics industry."

Dr. Fred Fisher of the Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute (AVSI) stated, "Members of the MCFA collaboration group have joined forces to address these challenges," adding, "The proposal provides guidelines necessary for the certification of systems using complex SoC microprocessors."

The MCFA Collaboration Group is open to all companies interested in the certification of commercial avionics systems or subsystems. For more information, please contact Freescale Korea at 02-3440-7200.