Design, development and testing of cooperative avionics algorithms in low-cost research and development simulation environment

This paper investigates design, development and testing of new cooperative avionics algorithms (CAAs) in low-cost research and development (R&D) simulation environment. These CAAs may be later implemented in avionics systems. Interaction of cooperative avionics algorithms in a complex systems requires off-line simulations at various development stages to achieve a reasonable estimation of system behavior with new CAAs. The R&D stage of CAAs in general does not require use of visual systems and pilot-in-the-loop, thus enabling possible use of low-cost simulator, which at the same time should be modular and easy-in-use. After developing and testing these CAA's in low-cost simulated environment, it is possible to transfer the models to other, more complicated systems with visual aids and pilot-in-the-loop for further development. In this paper use of low-cost simulator is shown on examples of Data Link (DL) and Sensor Fusion (SF) algorithms' development.