Realtime avionics processor emulators

This paper details the development of a realtime emulator for the General Avionics Computer (GAC) used on the F-16. The emulator was developed for use in a simulation facility at Wright Labs to perform as the Fire Control Computer (FCC) during Operational Flight Program (OFP) development and testing. The problem solved by the emulator is the need for a cost effective LRU substitute which executes the OFP without modification in realtime and can be easily integrated with existing test facility I/O interfaces. The emulator consists of a custom hardware component that executes OFF instructions, and a commercially available single board computer that executes I/O software. This paper details the analysis, design, and implementation of a low cost, realtime emulator for an avionics software development environment requiring the correct execution of OFF object code.< >