9.2.1 Developing Product Lines in Engine Control Systems: Systems Engineering Challenges

Rolls-Royce is developing a Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) product line for helicopter and light turboprop applications. This is driven by market demand to reduce the proportional cost of control systems relative to the engine, and to field applications in timescales that preclude traditional clone-and-own approaches. The goal is to develop reusable control system architectures, requirements, and verification evidence, which can be used on a variety of applications. Key challenges include addressing military and commercial constraints with the same architecture, designing in flexibility for future applications, and leveraging global company capability in processes, tools, and supply chain strategy. This paper describes Rolls-Royce's experience adapting existing software product line principles to apply at the control system (hardware and embedded software) level in light of certification guidelines from DO-178B and ARP4574A. Lessons learned from moving through the “V” life cycle provide insight into how Systems Engineering adds value in this context.