Master’s in Modular Architectures & IMA Engineering
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in modular architectures and IMA engineering, structured in 12 modules covering DO-297, partitioning, ARINC 653, deterministic networks, multicore processors, platform integration, safety, open standards such as FACE and cybersecurity, with an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the evolution towards integrated modular avionics.
Apply DO-297 requirements for incremental certification.
Design robust spatial and temporal partitioning.
Develop applications in accordance with ARINC 653.
Analyse AFDX and TSN deterministic networks.
Manage interference on multicore processors.
Evaluate the safety and cybersecurity of IMA platforms.
Who it's for
- IMA platform architects defining partitioning and shared resources.
- Real-time software engineers developing ARINC 653 applications.
- Avionics integration engineers working on integration benches.
- Deterministic network engineers dealing with AFDX, TSN or TTEthernet.
- Certification engineers handling DO-297 incremental acceptance.
- Embedded systems engineers moving into modular avionics.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join aeronautical manufacturers.
What you'll work with
- RTCA DO-297 / EUROCAE ED-124 (IMA development guidance and certification considerations)
- ARINC 653 (avionics application software standard interface)
- ARINC 664 Part 7 (AFDX deterministic Ethernet network)
- AMC 20-193 (use of multicore processors)
- AC 20-170 (FAA guidance on IMA development, verification and integration)
- RTCA DO-178C (software considerations in airborne systems)
- RTCA DO-254 (design assurance for airborne electronic hardware)
- The Open Group FACE Technical Standard (Future Airborne Capability Environment)
- Wind River VxWorks 653
- SYSGO PikeOS
- LynxOS-178
- MATLAB
- RTaW-Pegase
12 modules · 1900 h
1.1Limitations of federated avionics1.2The Integrated Modular Avionics concept1.3First- and second-generation IMA1.4A380, A350 and B787 programmes1.5Shared resources and partitions1.6Benefits in weight, volume and cost1.7Integration risks1.8Stakeholders: integrator, platform supplier and application supplier1.9Trends towards DIMA1.10Case study: comparison of the A380 and B787 architectures
2.1DO-297 / ED-1242.2Incremental certification tasks2.3Roles and responsibilities2.4Module acceptance2.5Aircraft integration2.6FAA Advisory Circular AC 20-1702.7Relationship with DO-178C and DO-2542.8Change management2.9Documentation required by the authority2.10Workshop: DO-297 task matrix
3.1Spatial memory partitioning3.2Temporal processor partitioning3.3MMU memory protection3.4Cyclic frame-based scheduling3.5Interference analysis3.6Robustness of partitioning3.7Verification of partitioning3.8Partitioning on multicore3.9Examples of partitioning failures3.10Lab: configuring partitions in an ARINC 653 RTOS
4.1Architecture and APEX interface4.2Partition services4.3Inter-partition communication4.4Sampling and queuing ports4.5Health monitoring in ARINC 6534.6System configuration using XML4.7Parts 1, 2 and 3 of the standard4.8Certified operating systems4.9Application portability4.10Practical exercise: APEX application with queuing ports
5.1AFDX and ARINC 664 Part 75.2Virtual links and BAG5.3Latency analysis with network calculus5.4Network redundancy5.5Switch configuration5.6TSN for avionics5.7TTEthernet networks and SAE AS68025.8Integration with legacy buses5.9Network verification5.10Lab: latency calculation for a virtual link
6.1Interference on shared resources6.2AMC 20-193 requirements6.3Analysis of interference channels6.4Hardware and software mitigations6.5WCET measurement on multicore6.6Certifiable multicore processors6.7Hypervisors for partitioning6.8Cache management6.9Industrial multicore cases6.10Case study: AMC 20-193 compliance plan
7.1Processing modules7.2Input and output modules7.3Power supplies7.4Cabinets and racks7.5Remote data modules7.6Thermal management of modules7.7Environmental qualification of the platform7.8Maintainability and LRMs7.9Obsolescence management7.10Practical exercise: resource sizing for a platform
8.1Configuration tables8.2Qualified configuration tools8.3Application integration8.4Management of shared resources8.5Integration testing8.6Integration benches8.7Version management8.8Field loading of software8.9Compatibility management8.10Workshop: integration plan for three applications
9.1IMA safety analysis9.2Common mode failures9.3Availability analysis9.4Dynamic reconfiguration after failures9.5Health monitoring and diagnostics9.6Detection of latent faults9.7Allocation of functions to resources9.8ARP4761A in IMA9.9Dispatch requirements9.10Case study: common cause analysis of an IMA platform
10.1Modular Open Systems Approach10.2FACE Technical Standard10.3SOSA for defence systems10.4Open architectures in space10.5Software reuse10.6FACE conformance and certification10.7Third-party integration10.8Economic benefits of open standards10.9Limitations of open architectures10.10Practical exercise: FACE conformance analysis of an application
11.1Cybersecurity on IMA platforms11.2DO-326A and ED-202A11.3Domain separation11.4Secure software updates11.5IMA for UAM and drones11.6Modular avionics for space11.7Machine learning in IMA11.8Advanced resource virtualisation11.9Technology roadmap11.10Case study: security domains of a network
12.1Definition of the functions to integrate12.2Platform requirements12.3Partitioning design12.4Deterministic network design12.5Multicore analysis12.6Integration plan12.7Safety analysis12.8Incremental certification strategy12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so it fits alongside your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Wind River VxWorks 653, SYSGO PikeOS, LynxOS-178, MATLAB and RTaW-Pegase, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practice is based on real procedures for ARINC 653 partition configuration, AFDX latency analysis and multicore interference analysis. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: RTCA DO-297 / EUROCAE ED-124, ARINC 653, ARINC 664 Part 7, AMC 20-193, AC 20-170, RTCA DO-178C, RTCA DO-254, The Open Group FACE Technical Standard.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Wind River VxWorks 653, SYSGO PikeOS, LynxOS-178, MATLAB and RTaW-Pegase, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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