The Software for “The Verification Block for The Serial Interface” Device

Abstract

Digital time division command/response multiplex data bus (MIL-STD-1553B) is used in onboard networks of air- and spacecraft, and in some other circumstances. Goals of design, debugging, and validation of interface devices make strong requirements for testing hardware. Currently the RC Module company in Russian Federation is designing the new hardware module for testing the interface devices, named as “The Verification Block for The Serial Interface”. This new module has continuity in the main functionality from previous one, referred as UEM-MK. In the same time, the means for interaction with the controlling computer in the new module are designed very different than in the UEM-MK. The new means are based on the Ethernet connection and the TCP/IP protocol stack.  In this connection, there is a need to redesign the software for UEM-MK to make it able to control the new module, - with minimal cost, if possible. This goal has been achieved by fixing the API and by design and implementation of the application-level connection protocol between the new module and the application software. The article describes the architecture of the previous module UEM-MK and it’s software, the architecture of the new module, proposes and substantiates the architecture of the software of the new module, represents the current state of the software development project and discusses the further plans.