Choosing a component for testing and simulation is a significant step in any facility and in any system. This is true for even the smallest components, and it is certainly true for a central component such as a data loader.
An ARINC 615 data loader is an essential element in any system, and ensuring that the right tools and features are in place in the model and option selected is going to be critical. Most will provide support for data load and Trivial File Transfer Protocol. This can be set up within the system to operate over both LANs as well as AFDX networks.
Operating Considerations
An essential factor that is often initially overlooked, but that quickly becomes an essential consideration when using a data loader, is the design of the GUI. Having a graphic user interface that is easy to master, intuitive to use and makes the operations through the data loader simple and efficient is a must. This will also be essential on both a Linux or a Windows operating system.
Also, it may be important for a specific application to ensure that the application programmer interfaces or APIs will support the integration and use of the data load functions into custom applications seamlessly and simply.
The APIs need also to be provided with documentation and source code sample applications. There are companies offering fully supported the integration of APIs using the TFTP and A615A API, which is a versatile option. They also allow server operations to be controlled by user applications. This can be through a command line or a point and click system, or perhaps even a customized data load feature.
Performance
The performance of the data loader using Ethernet, Windows or Linux operating systems has to be carefully considered. Choosing a system that supports high-level data load operations as well as multiple and simultaneous load operations is also a must for virtually all applications.
Customization
A data loader should be able to provide client software that doesn’t require a proprietary platform, but that can be fully customized for any existing embedded applications.
When the client software has this media set builder utility, there is less time in integrating the data loader software in the system in-house. This, in turn, ensures faster and lower cost implementation of the system with a greatly reduced risk when compared to trying to complete it in-house.
