Modeling of Data Link Redundancy and Network Failure Recovery in the AFDX Network

Avionics Full-Duplex Switched Ethernet (AFDX) is standard part seven of the Aeronautical Radio, Incorporated (ARINC) 664 standards. AFDX describes a new data transfer protocol that supports a data rate of 100 Mb/s, is faster, and has numerous improvements over the previous version, ARINC 429. AFDX has been used on a variety of aircraft models, including the Airbus, Boeing, and COMAC. However, current domestic and international research only addresses the level of understanding of the AFDX protocol, while other critical features such as redundant data link characteristics, data link failure recovery, and switching failure recovery features have yet to be announced. Furthermore, building and developing the AFDX network model on the simulation software platform is critical because research is hampered by equipment costs and stringent security requirements for aircraft hardware devices. As a result, in this article, we propose the AFDX network model with full technical specifications in the ARINC 664 standard set for computer network simulation using the specialized software platform OPNET Modeler. The aggregated results from various simulation scenarios are used to assess the technical characteristics and performance of the AFDX network, including processing delays at network elements, end-to-end delays, data link redundancy, and link and switching failure recovery. Finally, our research contributes to the academic community by simulating complete AFDX systems that meet the standards in ARINC-664.