eXtremeDB in-memory embedded database system software
Article Type: Equipment and software From: Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, Volume 81, Issue 5
McObject recently announced that it is offering its eXtremeDB in-memory embedded database system software for VxWorks 653, Wind River Systems'real-time operating system (RTOS) for controlling complex ARINC 653 Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) systems. The eXtreme DB port brings reliable, predictable and fast database capabilities to VxWorks 653, and streamlines development of mission critical aerospace and defense applications.
Today's airborne systems manage, report, and rely on tremendous volumes of data, including navigation, system status, weather, targeting,weapons, and other categories. This presents a multi-faceted challenge to developers. In addition to requiring near-zero latency, an embedded database for avionics must support development processes tied to the industry's safety imperative, and provide tools to address growing data complexity. It must ensure reliability at the programmatic level for memory allocation and error handling.
McObject's customer list in military and aerospace already includes such global names as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, EADS, Northrop Grumman, SAIC and others. eXtremeDB technical strengths that will accelerate its adoption on VxWorks 653 include the following:
In-memory responsiveness. In many aerospace applications,vibrations and high-gee conditions largely disqualify the use of conventional disks due to likely mechanical disruption. eXtremeDB is designed to operate entirely in main memory. In addition to providing stability, this is said to eliminate disk access, caching and other overhead, to deliver fast and predictable performance far exceeding even solid-state disk drives.
Prioritisation. Traditional databases use simple FIFO techniques to grant database access. In contrast, eXtremeDB enables developers to prioritise selected transactions, complementing features for determinism at the VxWorks 653 RTOS level.
Independent build, independent link, independent load (IBLL) support.eXtremeDB supports VxWorks 653's IBLL characteristic, a key requirement of any IMA environment that needs to support multiple application groups or third-party hosted function suppliers, delivering software builds asynchronously.
No dynamic memory allocation. In keeping with DO-178B requirements,and to provide greater stability, eXtremeDB eliminates dynamic allocation. Developers can use the in-memory database in lieu of it, reaping the flexibility and other benefits of dynamic memory allocation without the attendant risks that rule out its use in safety-critical systems.
Type-safe interface. Most database and middleware application programming interfaces (API) functions are based on void pointers, which C/C++compilers cannot validate. eXtremeDB eliminates a major source of post-deployment defects with a specialised API that avoids void pointers and causes the compiler to reject code with data typing errors.
Efficient data indexing. The time required to update a battlefield map, or to generate new GPS co-ordinates for tracked objects, is obviously critical. The right data index significantly improves performance. Where other databases provide only the generic B-tree index, eXtremeDB offers R-trees for GIS/mapping and many other specialised index types.
“McObject's eXtremeDB embedded database for the VxWorks 653 RTOS represents an important expansion of avionics software developers'available tools. An in-memory database system (IMDS) meets the industry's performance and predictability requirements, and McObject's IMDS offers an especially rich set of features for military and aerospace development,”states Rob Hoffman, Vice President and General Manager, Aerospace and Defense Business Unit at Wind River.
Details available from: McObject, Tel.: +1 425 888 8505.
