Development of airborne hardware and software requires thorough verification, which is costly and time-consuming. Controllers in modern aircraft are upgraded regularly after the initial entry into service.
Bypassing is based on the concept of rapid control prototyping (RCP) by emulating a controller using a real-time target machine and a Simulink® model of the control algorithm. During bypassing, the controller is integrated into the test setup while only certain functions or variables are changed and influenced by the real-time target machine. This saves time since you only need to adapt a small part of the code.
Bypassing requires the partitioning of the controller code. After this initial effort tasks such as testing new functions, parameter tuning, and certification verification can be executed much more efficiently.
Depending on the application and the controller hardware, there are several ways to perform bypassing. One way is to use bypass hooks or service calls to jump from the controller to the real-time system. Another method is to change values in the memory (RAM) to overwrite specific outputs of the functions.
"Bypassing and rapid prototyping allow us to advance faster and save a lot of money while achieving the same accurate, high quality results." Arnaud Chevalier, Flight Controls Testing Expert, Airbus
"Bypassing and rapid prototyping allow us to advance faster and save a lot of money while achieving the same accurate, high quality results."
Arnaud Chevalier, Flight Controls Testing Expert, Airbus
You can test a specific ECU function by calling it and reading out the output directly using your real-time target system. This allows you to test single functions on your electronic flight controller or full authority digital controller (FADEC) without performing costly signal conditioning which is usually needed in a complete HIL test setup.
Frequently Used I/O Interfaces
Simulink® Application Resources
You can calibrate the controller by directly accessing its RAM and storing the calibration parameters. During extensive testing, parameters in the RAM can be checked regularly to evaluate the robustness and the possible need for recalibration.
Success Stories
Bell Helicopter: Bell Helicopter Develops First Civilian Tiltrotor – Success Story
Scientific Aviation Association - Success Story
Aalto University: Students' mission to get Finland's first satellite into orbit - Success Story
PLC – Bypassing – Success story
Relevant Resources
ECU Bypassing - Webinar
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