Collaborative research project set to develop new generation of aerospace microprocessors
Researchers from the Department of Computer Science will play a pivotal role in SCHEME (Safety-Critical Harsh Environment Micro-processing Evolution), a project that is developing the next-generation of microprocessors for aerospace.
The aviation landscape is evolving rapidly, with a strong focus on designing aircraft that adhere to net-zero targets. These new aircraft demand more sophisticated, intelligent, autonomous and interconnected systems, with a particular emphasis on creating a cyber-secure, high-integrity processor for them.
SCHEME brings together a consortium of leading UK industry and academic institutions. Together they are developing these novel microprocessors tailored especially for use in aerospace and other areas where systems operate in harsh environments.
The £37.5m investment program is co-funded by the ATI Programme, which funds civil aerospace research in the UK and which is delivered in partnership by the Aerospace Technology Institute, the Department for Business & Trade and Innovate UK.
Experts from the Department of Computer Science will lead the work on model-driven engineering and performance modelling, building on decades’ experience in these fields.
Dimitris Kolovos, Professor of Software Engineering at the University of York, leads York’s model-driven engineering work that will focus on three areas: advanced development environments for model management programs; streamlining the process of creating collaborative tools for cloud-based system and software modelling; and improving how different software and electronics design tools work together.
Iain Bate, Professor of Dependable Real-Time Systems at the University of York, leads York's performance modelling work. This strand of work builds on the Department's thirty years of working with the avionics industry to establish accurate models of the next generation of avionics systems featuring more complex algorithms including machine learning. The performance modelling work will build on existing work using digital twins to make them applicable in a context where safety and security standards have to be met.
"This project enables us to use our expertise to support the development of state-of-the-art microprocessors that can be used to make aircraft and other safety-critical systems more resilient, sustainable and secure," says Professor Kolovos.
"The bespoke microprocessors developed through SCHEME will not only benefit the aerospace industry but may find applications in other sectors where systems operate in demanding conditions."
By designing bespoke processors, SCHEME aims to reduce design and through-life costs, ensure a secure supply chain and support net-zero objectives.
The SCHEME consortium includes Rolls-Royce, TT Electronics, Volant Autonomy, Rapita Systems, Adacore, The Manufacturing Technology Centre, Queen's University Belfast, University of Bristol, University of Sheffield and the University of York.