Abstract:
An electronic card ( 4 ) comprising a processing unit ( 7 ), able to receive a command originating from a diagnostic module ( 6 ) and a command originating from a simulation system ( 3 ). The electronic card ( 4 ) comprises means of managing the execution priority of the command originating from the simulation system ( 3 ) relative to the command originating from the diagnostic module ( 6 ). A diagnostic system of an electronic card comprising a diagnostic module and means of managing the execution priority of the commands. A simulation method is associated with the electronic card ( 4 ). For use in particular for analysing malfunctions on electronic cards ( 4 ) incorporated in integration simulators ( 1 ).

Description:
This invention relates to electronic cards. 
     The invention particularly relates to electronic cards used in integration simulators, especially in simulators for equipment items of an aircraft. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Correlatively it relates to a diagnostic system for electronic cards. 
     Integration simulators are used to ensure the development and integration of the on-board electronic and computer systems in aircraft, in particular prior to the first flight. 
     Integration simulators essentially comprise a host computer (known under the name of “host”), real equipment items of the aircraft and an electronic interface connecting these two elements. 
     The electronic interface comprises several electronic cards, making it possible to place the equipment items of the aircraft in real situations, such as, for example, certain weather conditions, breakdown conditions . . . . 
     This interface generates or acquires signals managed by the host computer intended for the simulation of real equipment items. 
     To accomplish this, the host computer comprises simulation models of the aircraft and its environment. Peripheral systems are connected to the real equipment items and comprise verification programs. 
     An integration simulator is a real time system, which amounts to saying that tests on the equipment items are conducted at the speed of their real functioning. 
     For this reason, when a malfunction in the electronic cards is detected, it is necessary to step the operation of the integration simulator in order to find exactly where the malfunction is located. 
     Thus, in order to find the origin of the malfunction, test equipment items, such as a logic analyzer on a real time bus that connects the host computer and the electronic cards, and a multimeter or an oscilloscope on the inputs/outputs of the electronic cards must be set up. 
     As a result of the stoppage of real time functioning of the integration system, the malfunction is not always visible, and thus it is difficult to find where it is located. 
     It then is necessary to test the card or cards in dedicated proving benches once the card or cards is/are removed from the integration simulator assembly. 
     There also is a system that can be connected to certain electronic cards allowing the configuration of the parameters of the cards or the reading of certain memory addresses. 
     This system transmits diagnostic commands in order to analyze the functioning of the electronic card and in this way to find the malfunction. 
     Nonetheless, for the same reasons as above, this connection and these diagnostic operations performed on the cards with the aid of the module are performed outside of real time functioning of the integration simulation system. 
     These methods for finding the malfunction in electronic cards are not very efficient and involve a waste of time because of the complexity of these methods. 
     On the other hand, when the execution of programs for simulation of the real equipment items is set up and it is wished to modify the value of certain parameters, it is necessary to stop the simulation, modify the simulation programs and restart the simulation. 
     Considering the long time necessary for the implementation of these programs, this manner of proceeding is inefficient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention has as an object to remedy the aforementioned limitations and to propose an electronic card making it possible to execute a command originating from a diagnostic module and a command originating from a simulation system in real time. 
     To this end, the present invention, according to a first aspect, applies to an electronic card comprising a processing unit. 
     The electronic card is able to receive a command originating from a diagnostic module and a command originating from a simulation system, and comprises means for managing the execution priority of the command originating from the simulation system in relation to that of the command originating from the diagnostic module. 
     In this way, it is possible to execute a command originating from the diagnostic module or a command originating from the simulation system without stopping, respectively, the real time execution of a command originating from the simulation system or of a command originating from the diagnostic module. 
     According to a preferred characteristic, the management means are able to bring about the execution of the command originating from the simulation system with priority over the execution of the command originating from the diagnostic module. 
     In this way, the execution of a command originating from the diagnostic module does not disrupt the real time execution of a command originating from the simulation system. 
     According to another preferred characteristic, the command originating from the simulation system is preemptive in relation to the command originating from the diagnostic module. 
     Consequently, on the occasion of the arrival of a command originating from the simulation system in the course of execution of a command originating from the diagnostic module, the card interrupts execution of the command originating from the diagnostic module and immediately begins execution of the command originating from the simulation system. 
     In practice, the electronic card comprises means for storing the command originating from the diagnostic module on the electronic card during execution of the command originating from the simulation system and means for execution of the command originating from the diagnostic module once execution of the command originating from the simulation system is concluded. 
     Thus, when a command originating from the simulation system is in the course of execution and a command originating from the diagnostic module arrives, the latter is stored in a memory installed in the electronic card and waits for execution of the command originating from the simulation system to be concluded, to be executed in turn. 
     For example, the command originating from the diagnostic module is a command for forcing a value of a parameter of the electronic card. 
     Thus, commands originating from the simulation system and from the diagnostic module can be executed with forced values, in order to be able to conduct analyses and investigations. 
     As a variant, the command originating from the diagnostic module comprises a function of recording a value of a parameter. 
     In fact, it is advantageous, during the analysis or investigation, to know the values of certain parameters. 
     Advantageously, commands originating from the diagnostic module are implemented by a non-priority basic task. 
     In this way, a basic task detects the end of execution of the command originating from the simulation system and then proceeds to execution of a waiting command originating from the diagnostic module. 
     In this way, real time execution of the command originating from the simulation system is not disrupted. 
     According to a second aspect, this invention applies to a diagnostic system of an electronic card. 
     The diagnostic system comprises a diagnostic module and means for managing the execution priority of a command originating from a simulation system in relation to that of command originating from the diagnostic module. 
     The diagnostic system of the electronic card thus is able to determine the execution priority of the commands originating from the diagnostic module and from the simulation system without, for all that, stopping the real time execution of the commands. 
     These means for managing the execution priority of the commands are means for managing the priority of the commands of the electronic card described above. 
     This diagnostic system has characteristics and advantages similar to those described above in connection with the electronic card. 
     According to a third aspect, this invention applies to a method for execution of a command originating from a simulation system and of a command originating from a diagnostic module, implemented by an electronic card according to the invention. 
     This method has characteristics and advantages similar to those described above in connection with the electronic card and therefore they will not all be repeated in the following. 
     The invention relates to a method for simulation by means of an electronic card of a command originating from a diagnostic module and of a command originating from a simulation system, with a step of managing the execution priority of the command originating from the simulation system in relation to that of the command originating from the diagnostic module. 
     According to a preferred characteristic, the execution of the command originating from the simulation system has priority in relation to the execution of the command originating from the diagnostic module. 
     Furthermore, the command originating from the simulation system is preemptive in relation to the command originating from the diagnostic module. 
     According to a preferred characteristic, the method comprises the following steps:
         storing the command originating from the diagnostic module during execution of the command originating from the simulation system, and   executing the command originating from the diagnostic module once the command originating from the simulation system is concluded.       

     For example, the method comprises execution of a command originating from the diagnostic module, the command being a command for forcing a value of a parameter. 
     As a variant, the method comprises execution of a command originating from the diagnostic module, the command comprising a function of recording a value of a parameter. 
     According to another preferred characteristic, the command originating from the diagnostic module is implemented by a basic non-priority task. 
     This invention also applies to the use of the electronic card and of the execution method in accordance with the invention for analysis of a malfunction of the electronic card incorporated into an integration simulator. 
     This invention likewise applies to the use of a diagnostic system for analysis of a malfunction of the electronic card incorporated into an integration simulator. 
     Furthermore, the integration simulator is an integration simulator for the equipment items of an aircraft. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the attached drawings, presented by way of non-limitative examples: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of an integration simulator; and 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of the processing of the commands by an electronic card in accordance with the invention in the integration simulator of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     An integration simulator comprising a diagnostic system and an electronic card in accordance with the invention is going to be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     An integration simulator  1  comprises a real equipment item  2 , a simulation system  3  and an electronic interface  4  located between them. 
     A real equipment item  2  is, by way of example, a cockpit of an aircraft, avionic computers, activators for control surfaces or electric and hydraulic generators. 
     This equipment item  2  is not necessarily a real system intended for an aircraft but it also can be a model used for the design thereof. 
     Simulation system  3  here is a host computer. 
     Host computer  3  models the aircraft and its environment, and transmits simulation commands to these equipment items. 
     Transmission of these commands is carried out, for example, once host computer  3  has transmitted a starting command (intended to start up the functioning of the integration system), as well as a configuration command for the integration system. 
     Host computer  3  is made up, for example, of servers with a high computing capacity. 
     A server used is, for example, the server known under the reference “alpha server ES45” designed by the company Hewlett Packard. 
     Electronic interface  4  comprises electronic cards making it possible to place the equipment items of an aircraft in real situations, during simulation of the signals transmitted by host computer  3  intended for simulation of real equipment items  2 . 
     By way of example, these cards are ARINC 429 or AFDX type cards. 
     Electronic interface  4  is connected to the host computer by means of a high-speed bus  5 . 
     At the same time, the bus connects the electronic cards to each other. 
     By way of example, the bus is a bus known under the name VME (“Versa Module Eurocard”) which is a standard bus deriving from the industrial sphere. This bus is particularly well adapted for the connection of various electronic cards to host computer  3 . It is adapted for the management of inputs/outputs. 
     When it is seen that one of the cards has a malfunction or it is wished to force the value of certain parameters of the electronic cards, a diagnostic module  6  is connected to electronic card  4 . 
     Diagnostic module  6  is, for example, a personal computer. The connection between diagnostic module  6  and electronic card  4  is implemented, for example, via the serial port RS232 of this computer. 
     Diagnostic module  6  is adapted for transmitting diagnostic commands  11  with a view to obtaining in return information items on the functioning of electronic card  4 , as well as forcing parameter values of electronic cards  4 . 
     In this way, with these diagnostic commands  11 , it is possible to analyze the performance of electronic card  4  with a view to finding the malfunction noted during the integration tests of the equipment items or during the design phase of the equipment items. 
     Electronic card  4  comprises a microprocessor  7  and memory  8 . 
     Microprocessor  7  is adapted for executing commands  10 ,  11  that electronic card  4  receives originating from host computer  3  and from diagnostic module  6 . 
     When commands  10 ,  11  (originating from host computer  3  and diagnostic module  6 ) arrive at electronic card  4 , they raise an interruption  9   a ,  9   b . These commands  10 ,  11  have a different priority according to the type of command. 
     Electronic card  4  is adapted for managing the order of execution of these commands  10 ,  11 . 
     Thus, when card  4  executes a command  10  originating from host computer  3  and an interruption  9   a  of the diagnostic module is raised by the arrival of a command  11  originating from diagnostic module  6 , or when card  4  executes a command  11  originating from diagnostic module  6  and an interruption  9   b  of the host computer is raised by the arrival of a command  10  originating from host computer  3 , card  4  is adapted for managing these scenarios by a management of the priority of the interruptions according to the origin and the type of the commands. 
     The diagnostic system thus comprises diagnostic module  6  as well as the means necessary for implementing the management of the priority of interruptions  9   a ,  9   b.    
     The host computer gives microprocessor  8  of the electronic card time for the execution of commands  10 ,  11 . 
     By way of illustrative example, this time is 10 ms; the time for execution of a command  10  originating from the host computer is 8 ms; and the time for execution of a command  11  originating from diagnostic module  6  is 2 ms. 
     This management of priorities by electronic card  4  is going to be described with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     A microprocessor  7  and memory  8  installed on electronic card  4  are shown on  FIG. 2 . 
     As already mentioned in this document, electronic card  4  receives commands  10  originating from host computer  3  and commands  11  originating from diagnostic module  6  that are being executed at the time of interruption  9   a ,  9   b . These interruptions  9   a ,  9   b  have different execution priorities. 
     It will be noted that in this example, commands  10  originating from host computer  3  arrive at the electronic card by VME bus  5  connecting them. 
     The commands originating from diagnostic module  6  arrive at electronic card  4  by the RS232 serial link between diagnostic module  6  and electronic card  4 . 
     There are different types of commands originating from diagnostic module  6 . 
     The commands originating from diagnostic module  6  contain a binary code representing the type of command and thus making it possible for microprocessor  7  to recognize the type of command  11  that arrived at electronic card  4 . 
     The highest priority is the priority of commands  10  originating from host computer  3 . Thus, when a command  10  originating from host computer  3  is being executed in microprocessor  7  and a command  11  originating from diagnostic module  6  arrives, microprocessor  7  continues execution of command  10  originating from host computer  3  and once concluded, it begins execution of command  11  originating from diagnostic module  6 . 
     Commands  10  originating from host computer  3  are preemptive in relation to commands  11  originating from diagnostic module  6 . 
     Thus, when a command  11  originating from diagnostic module  6  is being executed and an interruption  9   b  is raised by the arrival of a command  10  originating from host computer  3 , the execution of command  11  originating from diagnostic module  6  is stopped and command  10  originating from host computer  3  begins to be executed. 
     In fact, higher priority interruption  9   a ,  9   b  is taken into consideration during the processing of another interruption  9   a ,  9   b , but a lower priority interruption  9   a ,  9   b  is placed on hold. 
     Once the execution of command  10  originating from host computer  3  is concluded, command  11  originating from diagnostic module  6  resumes its execution at the point where it was stopped. 
     When commands  11  originating from diagnostic module  6  arrive at electronic card  4  and microprocessor  7  is occupied with the execution of a command, commands  11  originating from diagnostic module  6  are stored in memory  8  installed on electronic card  4 , to await their execution. 
     This memory  8  is, for example, a volatile memory of FIFO (First In, First Out) type. 
     Of course, when no command  10  originating from host computer  3  is being executed in microprocessor  7  installed in electronic card  4 , and a command  11  originating from diagnostic module  6  arrives, it is not necessary to store the command. The command can be executed directly. 
     Interruption  9   a  brought about by commands  11  originating from diagnostic module  6  or diagnostic commands  11  have a priority two. 
     It will be noted that a priority-two interruption is of lower priority than a priority-one interruption. 
     When a command  10  originating from host computer  3  is being executed and a diagnostic command  11  arrives, this diagnostic command  11  is stored in installed memory  8 . In this way, diagnostic commands  11  are executed by order of arrival on card  4  and therefore by order of storage on memory  8 . 
     Diagnostic commands  11  are executed by a basic task  20 . This basic task  20  detects the moments in which microprocessor  7  is inactive and executes diagnostic commands  11  stored in memory  8  awaiting execution. 
     Here, commands  11  originating from diagnostic module  6  are, in particular, two types. 
     A first type of diagnostic command  11  is a forcing command  11   a  (the term forcing also is known by the term “injection”). 
     In this embodiment, forcing command  11   a  consists in forcing a parameter of electronic card  4  to a value defined in forcing command  11   a.    
     This parameter can be a parameter at input or output of the card, or an intermediate parameter used for internal computations. 
     Thus, by means of a forcing command  11   a , it is possible to force output parameters of the card, corresponding to input parameters of real equipment item  2 , or else, to input parameters of host computer  3 , as well as to force configuration parameters of electronic card  4 . 
     The execution of this forcing command  11   a  can be followed by the execution of a command  10  originating from host computer  3  or of another command  11  originating from diagnostic module  6 , In this way, command  10 ,  11  is executed taking into consideration the forced, and not real, values. 
     This function is used, for example, when it is wished to analyze a command  10 ,  11  when the output is set at a value. 
     It will be noted that during the implementation of forcing command  10   a  on certain input or output parameters of electronic card  4 , a command originating from host computer  3  can be implemented at the same time, if this latter command does not use input or output parameters used by forcing command  11   a.    
     Obviously, if the command originating from host computer  3  uses the parameters that are going to be forced by forcing command  11   a , forcing command  11   a  will be implemented only once command  10  originating from host computer  3  is concluded. 
     This forcing command  11   a  is implemented in the following manner. 
     Memory  8  installed in electronic card  4  comprises a memory zone including a table containing values of the parameters used by the execution of a command, also called table of real values  12 . 
     Memory  8  also comprises a memory zone including a table reserved for forcing values also called table of forcing values  13 . 
     Finally, the memory comprises a memory zone including a table of pointers  14  used in the execution of the commands. 
     When a command  11  originating from diagnostic module  6  is a forcing command  11   a , and once the execution of command  10  originating from host computer  3  is concluded, the forcing values are stored in the table of forcing values  13  and pointer  15  for access to the table of real values  12  then will point to the table of forcing values  13 . 
     In this way, the execution of following command  10 ,  11  (originating from host computer  3  or from diagnostic module  6 ) will be implemented with forcing values and not real values. 
     Once the end of the simulation with forcing values is desired, a command  11  originating from diagnostic module  6  indicating the end of forcing is received. 
     Thus, the execution of following command  10 ,  11  (originating from host computer  3  or from diagnostic module  6 ) will be implemented with real values. 
     A second type of command  11  originating from diagnostic module  6  comprises a recording function  11   b  for a parameter. 
     In this embodiment, several types of recording function are possible. 
     A first type of recording function  11   b  consists in monitoring parameter values acquired by host computer  3  or parameter values sent by the host computer to electronic card  4 . 
     The parameters to be recorded are determined by diagnostic module  6 . Diagnostic module  6  associates with the parameter to be recorded an identification label for the recording to be made. 
     Recording points are provided in the code executed by diagnostic command  11   b.    
     Thus, by way of example, when the parameter changes value at a recording point provided in the code, the value of the parameter determined is recorded at that time. 
     Likewise, it is possible to follow the value of a parameter in time (known by the English term of monitoring). 
     The parameters to be recorded also are determined by diagnostic module  6  with the aid of identification labels for the recording to be made associated with the parameter to be recorded. 
     In this case, recording is done periodically. 
     The recorded values are stored in installed memory  8  of electronic card  4 ; they then are formatted by basic task  20  and sent to diagnostic module  6 . 
     A second type of recording function  11   b  is the consultation of the configuration parameters of electronic card  4 . 
     A third type of recording function  11   b  is the consultation of functioning states of the electronic card. 
     These functioning states can be, for example, a state of initialization of the electronic card, a state of implementation of the commands, or an error state. 
     A fourth type of recording function  11   b  is the consultation of the malfunction states of electronic card  4 . This function allows us to find a malfunction and then to investigate what is causing it. 
     Of course, other types of functions could be implemented by the diagnostic system. 
     Thus, by virtue of the invention, it is possible to execute a command originating from a diagnostic module without disrupting the real time execution of a command originating from the simulation system. 
     Consequently, when a malfunction in the electronic card is detected, it is possible to find the origin of the malfunction, without stopping the real time execution of the command originating from the simulation system. In this way, the origin of the malfunction is found rapidly and effectively. 
     Furthermore, it is possible to force parameter values of the electronic without either stopping or disrupting the real time functioning of the integration simulator. 
     Of course, many modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiment described above without departing from the context of the invention.