Ground Control System: Operating-System Requirements for Command and ControlOperating system applications for avionics and military ground control systems
A ground control system has unique operating-system requirements and security needs. Fulfill these requirements by combining the LynxOS-178 real-time operating system for DO-178B certification with the LynxSecure separation kernel and hypervisor.
A ground control system is often implemented on large Intel®-processor blade-based multi-core systems, with DAL safety-critical code coexisting alongside non-secure graphics, third-party and COTS software applications.
When building a ground control system on an Intel multicore environment, the LynxSecure separation kernel and hypervisor provides brick-wall partitions between the LynxOS-178 RTOS and other installed operating systems. This way, the various needed secure, non-secure and DO-178B code, such as DAL applications, can all run together separately and securely. All DO-178B code is isolated within a single core that could even be moved off-board, if deemed necessary for certification purposes.
LynxSecure Separation Kernel and Hypervisor
LynxSecure conforms to the Multiple Independent Levels of Security/Safety (MILS) architecture, with strict adherence to data isolation, damage limitation and information flow policies identified in this architecture. Partitions and information-flow policies are defined by the kernel's configuration. This provides a robust foundation for the creation of multi-level secure systems.
LynxSecure provides a scalable solution ranging from deeply embedded systems to high-end workstations and servers for the design of applications in embedded avionics products, weapons systems, C4ISR data systems as well as critical infrastructure control systems. Read more about secure virtualization with LynxSecure.
LynxOS-178 RTOS for DO-178B certification
In addition to a proven track record on Intel® hardware, LynxOS-178 supports Linux® and POSIX® APIs, as well as safety-critical ARINC 653 partitioning. Many of today's ground control application components run on a Linux operating system, which is compatible for use with the LynxOS-178 RTOS.
LynxOS-178 is the only DO-178B operating system to have been awarded an RSC (Reusable Software Component) designation from the FAA. System developers can reuse operating system artifacts without recertifying and testing the entire operating system. Learn more about DO-178B RSC here.
Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE™) Consortium
LynuxWorks™ is a member of the Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE) Consortium, managed by The Open Group, whose goal is to provide a common airborne computing environment for the Navy and other military branches. The FACE Consortium is an industry-government collaboration consisting of 39 members, including the U.S. Navy Air Combat Electronics Program Office, the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research and Engineering Center, and several leading industry defense contractors and avionics suppliers.
Virtualization Technology Demonstrations
Intel Virtualization Demonstration with LynxSecure Secure Virtualization on Sandy Bridge Platform (.WMV file)- LynxSecure Virtualization Demo on a Themis Ruggedized RES-12XR3
- LynxSecure 5.0: A new Generation of Secure Virtualization
advantages
- Optimal security and safety—the only operating system designed to support both CC EAL-7 and DO-178B level A
- Real time—time-space partitioned separation kernel for superior determinism and performance
- Hypervisor and virtualization technology— supports multiple heterogeneous, both para-virtualized and fully virtualized, operating system environments on the same physical hardware including Intel® VT
- Highly scalable—supports Symmetric MultiProcessing (SMP) and 64-bit addressing for high-end scalability
- Support for open standards—100% binary compatibility for Linux- or POSIX-based software applications allows them to migrate to a highly robust, secure environment
- Faster time to market—enables developers to begin early development for secure applications
- Coming Together of Safety and (Cyber) Security Changes Demands in RTOS Market
- Separation kernels and secure hypervisors will be evermore in demand as safety and certification will be required in more and more applications. Governments are already working on infrastructures deploying this type of technology. (October 2012)
- Building in RTOS Support for Safety- & Security-Critical Systems
- LynuxWorks explains the differences between safety-critical and security-critical applications and how to meet their demanding requirements with the LynxOS-178 RTOS and the LynxSecure hypervisor. (EE Times Design, August 2011)
- Enhancing Application Performance on Multicore Systems
- Tips on optimizing a multicore real-time system, including virtualization, avoiding synchronization and concurrency while maximizing application parallelism. (Military Embedded Systems, February 2011)
- Hardware Virtualization puts a new spin on Secure Systems
- Real-time determinism and military security don't have to be separate realities. A combination of a secure separation kernel and an embedded hypervisor enables whole new levels of system security. (COTS Journal, October 2010)
- Using a Separation Kernel to add Military-Grade Security to Legacy Systems
- A challenge for the software designer is how to integrate modern military-grade software programs into legacy software designed long before security standards were predominant in system requirements. (VME Critical Systems, Summer 2010)
- Virtualization: Keeping Embedded Software safe and Secure in an Unsafe World
- A new, secure methodology is needed to separate systems of different security levels which run on shared resources—without compromising the performance of legacy systems. (EE Times, June 2010)
- Secure Virtualization Combines Traditional Desktop OSs and Embedded RTOSes in Military Embedded Systems
- Advances in software and hardware technologies now make it feasible to use both embedded and desktop operating systems in a secure military system. (Military Embedded Systems, May 2010)
- DO-178B Provides Certification Safety net
- Developers of commercial avionics software must demonstrate compliance with DO-178 guidelines. The FAA has issued additional guidance for so-called DO-178B Reusable Software Components (RSCs as defined in AC20-148), which allow for reuse of certifications. (COTS Journal, November 2009)
- Designing Safety-critical Avionics Software Using open Standards
- Safety-critical avionics systems have continually grown more complex and software-intensive. Regulatory authorities and avionics manufacturers have responded with guidance such as DO-178B and RSC to ensure that software performs safely, with controlled development cost. (Boards and Solutions, September 2009)
- Two Different Realms: RTOS Support for Safety-critical vs. Security-critical Systems
- Safety- and security-critical system functions are evolving simultaneously, with different yet similar requirements. Modern RTOSes are stepping up to meet these needs. (VME and Critical Systems, June 2009)
- Virtualization Makes Better use of Open-source OSes and apps
- With the introduction of the embedded hypervisor, embedded systems can avoid certain performance or licensing issues inherent to open-source OSes and applications. (EE Times, March 23, 2009)
- Secure Virtualization Technology can Extend the life of Legacy Systems
- By combining the concept of virtualization and security, one can consolidate multiple legacy systems running on heterogeneous operating systems onto a single host system with high-assurance security. (Military Embedded Systems, January/February 2009)
- Virtual Machines: Intel's CPU Extensions Transform Virtualization
- Virtualization has traditionally presented its share of design challenges in information-assurance-based systems. But now, Intel's VT-x and VT-d CPU extensions are changing the game and showing potential to become the de facto path to virtualization. (Military Embedded Systems, January 2009)
- Separation Kernel for a Secure Real-time Operating System
- The technical foundation adopted for the so-called MILS architecture is a separation kernel like LynxSecure, which permits multiple functions to be realised on a common set of physical resources without unwanted mutual interference. (Boards and Solutions Magazine, February 2008)
- Advances in Virtualization aid Information Assurance
- Advances in the newest Intel® processors are making virtualization much easier to implement in security applications than ever before. (Embedded Computing Design, January 2008)
- Protecting our most Vital Systems
- Some significant defence programmes are already committed to a new approach to high-threat, high-asset-value systems. Rance DeLong explains MILS. (Components in Electronics, April 2007)
- Perspectives: Security and the Separation Kernel
- Today's avionics systems are designed to support more than one application, using a partitioned operating system and memory management units to ensure applications have adequate separation. (Avionics Magazine, April 2007)
- MILS: An Architecture for Security, Safety, and Real Time
- The unrelenting growth and integration of embedded controls, information processing, and communications has created a need for systems that provide robust protection for resources and services in the face of serious threats. (Embedded Technology Magazine, November 2006)
- Partitioning Operating Systems Versus Process-based Operating Systems
- Partitioning operating systems are the latest buzz, while processes, by contrast, have been around for over 30 years. Both provide memory protection, however, the intent behind them is very different.
- DO-178B and the Common Criteria: Future Security Levels
- Although there are similarities between the airborne safety-critical requirements in RTCA/DO-178B and the Common Criteria, ISO 14508, compliance with the higher levels of security in the Common Criteria demands meeting additional security requirements. (COTS Journal, April 2006)
- Reusing Safety-Critical Software Components
- Safety-critical systems often operate together as a single "system-of-systems," making it important that they meet the most stringent and rigorous requirements for safety-criticality. The failure of one module in a system could create other failures or vulnerabilities, or worse yet, failure of the system as a whole. (COTS Journal, August 2005)
- Using the Microprocessor MMU for Software Protection in Real-Time Systems
- With minimal impact to overall system performance, user tasks and the kernel can be protected from accidental corruption by using multiple protected address spaces.
- Improving code Migration and Reuse
- The unrelenting growth and integration of embedded controls, information processing, and communications has created a need for systems that provide robust protection for resources and services in the face of serious threats. (Embedded Computing Design, August 2006)
- FCS Program Rolls Forward in Formation
- A wireless data network, with advanced communications and technologies, links soldiers with 18 new, lightweight manned and unmanned ground vehicles, unmanned aircraft, sensors and weapons—and it's all in one program. (COTS Journal, June 2005)
- Secure Operating Systems for Deeply Embedded Devices
- As we add more intelligence to our embedded devices, we find that they are becoming increasingly integrated into our information technology infrastructure. Though system security is not a new concept, security-in-depth is a new paradigm developers are now starting to address. (RTC Magazine, September 2004)
Virtualization / RTOS News
LynuxWorks Awarded Most Significant New Software Product at Design West Conference -4/30- Virtualization Security: LynuxWorks Offers new Security Protection for Connected Embedded Devices -4/23
- LynuxWorks and Twin Oaks Computing to Deliver CoreDX DDS Communication Middleware on LynxOS-178 in Alignment with Future Airborne Capability Environment (FACE™) -4/16
- LynuxWorks Debuts Industry's First Real-time Zero-Day Rootkit and Bootkit Defense -2/26
- LynxOS-178 RTOS Flies high in Super Mid-size Business jet Market -1/29
- Device-Driver and Real-Time Programming for the LynxOS RTOS Family, San José, CA, USA, Jun 10-14
- LynxSecure Real-Time Applications and Device Driver Programming Workshop, San José, CA, USA, Jun 24-28
