Ge Aviation Systems Limited

Jay Robert Pruiett

Deven J Anthony

Joseph Bernard Steffler

John Jared Creech

David Barnard Pierce

Gregory Reed Sykes

Timothy D Skutt

Systems and methods for configuring a cryptographic system, such as an avionic data transfer system associated with an aircraft, are provided. More particularly, systems and methods can be used to assemble a cryptographic key configuration (CKC) for use in a cryptographic system. A CKC can include various components for configuration of a cryptographic system. An administrator can generate CKCs for multiple host systems via a user interface (e.g., a graphical user interface) at a terminal and can deliver the CKCs to the host systems via an automated process by way of, for instance, a removable data cartridge.

Configuring cryptographic systems

Systems and methods for managing cryptographic keys in an avionic data transfer system are provided. A host device associated with the avionic data transfer system can receive one or cryptographic keys via a key fill interface. For instance, in one embodiment, the host device can receive one or more cryptographic keys from a removable data cartridge. The host device can act as a key server for other cryptographic units associated with the avionic data transfer system via a data bus. For instance, the host device can distribute one or more cryptographic keys to other cryptographic units associated with aircraft via an aircraft bus. The other cryptographic units can use the one or more cryptographic keys for cryptographic processing of data.

Cryptographic key server embedded in data transfer system

A method of providing high integrity checking for an N-lane computer processing module (Module), N being an integer greater than equal to two. The method comprises the steps of: detecting, by a data Output Management unit (OM), when any of the N processing lanes sends different output data; configuring each Hosted Application as either normal or high integrity; for the Hosted Applications configured as high integrity, running an identical version of the software source code targeted for similar or dissimilar microprocessors on all N processing lanes, and activating a Time Management Unit, Critical Regions Management Unit, data Input Management Unit and data Output Management Unit for each of the N processing lanes; and for the Hosted Applications configured as normal integrity, running a copy of the software on one of the N processing lanes, and not activating the Time Management Unit, Critical Regions Management Unit, Input Management Unit and Output Management Unit for the one activated processing lane while that Hosted Application is running.

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Ada, MI, United States of America

Jay Robert Pruiett