EN 4660-003:2019

• Abstract:

  The purpose of this MOAA standard is to define a set of open architecture standards,; concepts & guidelines for Advanced Avionics Architectures (A3).; The three main goals for the MOAA Standards are:; — Reduced life cycle costs,; — Improved mission performance,; — Improved operational performance.; The MOAA standards are organised as a set of documents including:; — A set of agreed standards that describe, using a top down approach, the Architecture overview to all; interfaces required to implement the core within avionics system,; — The guidelines for system implementation through application of the standards.; This standard details the functionality and principle interfaces of an EN 4660 compliant network to; ensure the interoperability of Common Functional Modules and design guidelines to assist in; implementation of such a network.; The purpose of this standard is to establish by means of well defined interfaces and functionality, a; network design that is technology transparent and that is open to a multi-vendor market. Therefore,; specific data communication network topology, protocols and technologies are not identified in this; document.; Although the physical organisation and implementation of the network shall remain the System; Designers choice, in accordance with the best use of the current technology, it is necessary to define; interfaces and parameter sets in order to achieve a logical definition of the network with a defined; functionality. This definition includes:; — The generic functionality applicable to all networks.; — The logical interfaces to the Operating System and Module Support Layers.; — Optionally the physical interfaces to the Common Functional Modules (CFM).; This document identifies the principle interfaces for the Network, in Clause 4, and where appropriate,; provides requirements on network parameters to be defined.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 20-Aug-2019
• Withdrawal Date: 28-Feb-2020
• ICS: 49.090 - On-board equipment and instruments
• Technical Committee: ASD-STAN - Aerospace
• Drafting Committee: ASD-STAN/D 1/S 2 - MOAA Modular and Open Avionics Architecture
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 21-Jan-2025
• Completion Date: 17-Sep-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN 4660-003:2019 - Aerospace series - Modular and Open Avionics Architectures - Part 003: Communications/Network

• Replaces: EN 4660-003:2011 - Aerospace series - Modular and Open Avionics Architectures - Part 003: Communications/Network
• Effective Date: 08-Jun-2022
• Refers: ISO/IEC 7498-1:1994 - Information technology — Open Systems Interconnection — Basic Reference Model: The Basic Model
• Effective Date: 25-Aug-2026
• Refers: EN 4660-004:2019 - Aerospace series - Modular and Open Avionics Architectures - Part 004: Packaging
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN 4660-005:2019 - Aerospace series - Modular and Open Avionics Architectures - Part 005: Software
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN ISO 179-1:2023 - Plastics - Determination of Charpy impact properties - Part 1: Non-instrumented impact test (ISO 179-1:2023)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN ISO 179-2:2020 - Plastics - Determination of Charpy impact properties - Part 2: Instrumented impact test (ISO 179-2:2020)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN ISO 180:2019 - Plastics - Determination of Izod impact strength (ISO 180:2019)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 4660-002:2011 - Aerospace series - Modular and Open Avionics Architectures - Part 002: Common Functional Modules
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN ISO 8256:2023 - Plastics - Determination of tensile-impact strength (ISO 8256:2023)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 4660-004:2011 - Aerospace series - Modular and Open Avionics Architectures - Part 004: Packaging
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN ISO 180:2023 - Plastics - Determination of Izod impact strength (ISO 180:2023)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 4660-001:2011 - Aerospace series - Modular and Open Avionics Architectures - Part 001: Architecture
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 4660-005:2011 - Aerospace series - Modular and Open Avionics Architectures - Part 005: Software
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026

Overview - EN 4660-003:2019 (Communications/Network)

EN 4660-003:2019 is the Communications/Network part of the CEN Aerospace series for Modular and Open Avionics Architectures (MOAA). It defines the logical network interfaces, required network functionality and parameter sets to ensure interoperability of Common Functional Modules (CFMs) in advanced avionics architectures. The standard is technology‑neutral - it does not prescribe specific physical topologies or protocols - but specifies the interfaces and properties system designers must define so networks are certifiable, scalable and open to multi‑vendor implementations.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Network scope and goals: Support reduced life‑cycle cost, improved mission and operational performance through open architecture and reuse.
• Interoperability interfaces: Defines the Module Physical Interface (MPI) and Module Logical Interface (MLI) to enable module‑to‑network and module‑to‑module interoperability.
• Network requirements:
  • Certification for military and civil avionics
  • Open standards (no proprietary mandates)
  • Scalability for all system sizes and growth/technology insertion
  • Support for partitioning, mixed criticalities and safety‑critical communications
  • Fault tolerance, reconfiguration and predictable delivery deadlines
  • Multicast and connection‑oriented inter‑process communications
  • Support for large node counts (at least 128 nodes on non‑critical networks) and high data rates (> 1 Tbps)
  • Station separation up to 200 metres and time distribution (e.g., IEEE 1588)
• Physical layer guidance (project‑specific): For optical networks the standard lists minimum properties to be specified by system designers: fibre geometry/mode, numerical aperture, wavelengths, power budget, optical input/output sensitivities, and bandwidth‑length product.
• Management & monitoring: Requirements for initialization, time stamping of faults, built‑in test to segment level, and routing to intended processes only.

Practical applications

• Use EN 4660-003:2019 when designing or specifying avionics communication networks for fixed‑wing, rotorcraft or spaceborne platforms that adopt MOAA principles.
• Applicable to system architects, avionics integrators, CFM vendors, network engineers, certification authorities and test/maintenance teams.
• Helps procurement and suppliers design components and interfaces that are reusable across platforms and nations, enabling multi‑vendor ecosystems and reduced life‑cycle costs.

Related standards

• EN 4660-001 (Architecture)
• EN 4660-002 (Common Functional Modules)
• EN 4660-004 (Packaging)
• EN 4660-005 (Software)
• ISO/IEC 7498-1 (OSI Basic Reference Model)

Keywords: EN 4660-003:2019, Modular and Open Avionics Architectures, MOAA, avionics network standard, communications/network, Module Physical Interface, Module Logical Interface, CFM, IEEE 1588, avionics interoperability.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-oktober-2019
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 4660-003:2011
Aeronavtika - Modularne in odprte letalske elektronske arhitekture - 003. del:
Komunikacije/omrežje
Aerospace series - Modular and Open Avionics Architectures - Part 003:
Communications/Network
Luft- und Raumfahrt - Und offene Avionikarchitekturen Modulare - Teil 003:
Kommunikation/Netzwerk
Série aérospatiale - Architectures Avioniques Modulaires et Ouvertes - Partie 003 :
Communication/Réseau
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 4660-003:2019
ICS:
35.100.01 Medsebojno povezovanje Open systems
odprtih sistemov na splošno interconnection in general
49.090 Oprema in instrumenti v On-board equipment and
zračnih in vesoljskih plovilih instruments
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 4660-003
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
August 2019
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 49.090 Supersedes EN 4660-003:2011
English Version
Aerospace series - Modular and Open Avionics
Architectures - Part 003: Communications/Network
Série aérospatiale - Architectures Avioniques Luft- und Raumfahrt - Modulare und offene
Modulaires et Ouvertes - Partie 003 : Avionikarchitekturen - Teil 003:
Communication/Réseau Kommunikation/Netzwerk
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 5 November 2018.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2019 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 4660-003:2019 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents
Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 5
3 Terms and definitions and Abbreviations . 5
3.1 Terms and definitions . 5
3.2 Abbreviations . 6
4 Network Definition . 7
4.1 Overview . 7
4.2 Specific Network Requirements . 7
4.3 Module Physical Interface . 9
4.4 Optional Module Logical Interface . 9
4.5 Optional MLI - Network Properties . 10
4.5.1 General . 10
4.5.2 Data Formats . 10
4.5.3 Data Link properties . 11
4.5.4 Control Functions . 12
4.5.5 Monitoring Functions . 12
4.5.6 Transfer Protocols . 13
Annex A (informative) Standard Evolution Form . 15

Figures
Figure 1 — MOAA Standard Documentation Hierarchy . 4
Figure 2 — MOAA Communication Interfaces . 13

Tables
Table 1 — Architecture Requirements . 7
Table 2 — System Requirements . 8
Table A.1 — Main changes to previous editions . 15

European foreword
This document (EN 4660-003:2019) has been prepared by the Aerospace and Defence Industries
Association of Europe - Standardization (ASD-STAN).
After enquiries and votes carried out in accordance with the rules of this Association, this Standard has
received the approval of the National Associations and the Official Services of the member countries of
ASD, prior to its presentation to CEN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by February 2020, and conflicting national standards
shall be withdrawn at the latest by February 2020.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 4660-003:2011.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of
North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the
United Kingdom.
1 Scope
The purpose of this MOAA standard is to define a set of open architecture standards,
concepts & guidelines for Advanced Avionics Architectures (A3).
The three main goals for the MOAA Standards are:
— Reduced life cycle costs,
— Improved mission performance,
— Improved operational performance.
The MOAA standards are organised as a set of documents including:
— A set of agreed standards that describe, using a top down approach, the Architecture overview to all
interfaces required to implement the core within avionics system,
— The guidelines for system implementation through application of the standards.
The document hierarchy is given in Figure 1: (in this figure the document is highlighted)

Figure 1 — MOAA Standard Documentation Hierarchy
This standard details the functionality and principle interfaces of an EN 4660 compliant network to
ensure the interoperability of Common Functional Modules and design guidelines to assist in
implementation of such a network.
The purpose of this standard is to establish by means of well defined interfaces and functionality, a
network design that is technology transparent and that is open to a multi-vendor market. Therefore,
specific data communication network topology, protocols and technologies are not identified in this
document.
Although the physical organisation and implementation of the network shall remain the System
Designers choice, in accordance with the best use of the current technology, it is necessary to define
interfaces and parameter sets in order to achieve a logical definition of the network with a defined
functionality. This definition includes:
— The generic functionality applicable to all networks.
— The logical interfaces to the Operating System and Module Support Layers.
— Optionally the physical interfaces to the Common Functional Modules (CFM).
This document identifies the principle interfaces for the Network, in Clause 4, and where appropriate,
provides requirements on network parameters to be defined.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 4660-001, Aerospace series — Modular and Open Avionics Architectures — Part 001: Architecture
EN 4660-002, Aerospace series — Modular and Open Avionics Architectures — Part 002: Common
Functional Modules
EN 4660-004, Aerospace series — Modular and Open Avionics Architectures — Part 004: Packaging
EN 4660-005, Aerospace series — Modular and Open Avionics Architectures — Part 005: Software
ISO/IEC 7498-1, Open System Interconnect Basic Reference Model
3 Terms and definitions and Abbreviations
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
3.1 Terms and definitions
Use of “shall”, “should” and “may” within the standards observe the following rules:
— The word SHALL in the text expresses a mandatory requirement of the standard.
— The word SHOULD in the text expresses a recommendation or advice on implementing such a
requirement of the standard. It is expected that such recommendations or advice will be followed
unless good reasons are stated for not doing so.
— The word MAY in the text expresses a permissible practice or action. It does not express a
requirement of the standard.
3.2 Abbreviations
APOS Application to Operating System [interface]
ASAAC Allied Standard Avionics Architecture Council
BER Bit Error Rate
CFM Common Functional Module
COTS Commercial Off The Shelf
DMA Direct Memory Access
Gbps Giga bits per second
GLI GSM Logical Interface
GSM International Electrotechnical Commission
IEC Generic System Manager
IMA Integrated Modular Avionics
ISO International Standards Organisation
ISR Interrupt Service Routine
LCC Life Cycle Cost
Mbps Mega bits per second
MLI Module Logical Interface
MOS Module Support Layer to Operating System [interface]
MPI Module Physical Interface
MMU Memory Management Unit
MRM Module Resource Manager
MSL Module Support Layer
MSU Module Support Unit
NIU Network Interface Unit
NSM Network Support Module
OLI OS Logical Interface
OS Operating System
OSI Open Systems Interconnect
OSL Operating System Layer
QoS Quality of Service
RTBP Run Time Blueprint
SMBP System Management to Blueprint [interface]
SMLI System Management Logical Interface
SMOS System Management to Operating System [interface]
TC Transfer Connection
TLS Three-Layer Stack
VC Virtual Channel
4 Network Definition
4.1 Overview
The communications over an EN 4460 compatible network are defined and managed by a set of ARINC
or EN 4660-005 interfaces. It shall be noted that this EN 4660 network standard is independent of
specific technologies and therefore the data communication network topology, protocols and
technologies are not defined by this document. This specification defines parameters which are need to
be specified for EN 4660 network design.
4.2 Specific Network Requirements
There are a number of specific network requirements having an impact on the network design. These
are shown as architectural requirements in Table 1 and system requirements in Table 2.
Table 1 — Architecture Requirements
Title Description
Certification The EN 4660 network shall be certifiable in military and civil avionics
environments
Open standards No proprietary standards, processes or components shall be specified
Scalability The network shall be scaleable for all system sizes
Network connections The network should support a high level of inter-connectivity
Network connections The network should support minimum interconnections between racks &
sensors/effectors e.g. to minimise wing root wiring
Station separation Inter-node distances up to 200 metres shall be supported
Time distribution The network shall distribute time as specified as per IEEE 1588 or optinally as
described in Volume 5 of ASAAC2-GUI-32450-001-CPG Issue 01.
Initialisation The network shall initialise to a predefined state
Title Description
Growth capability The network shall support system growth
Growth capability The network shall support technology insertion
Security The network shall be capable of supporting different levels of secure data
Security The network shall not prevent key variable erasure on aircrew ejection
Security The network shall support the security policy defined for each particular system
Life Cycle Cost The network shall support widespread re-use of components in systems
Life Cycle Cost Network Standards selection should be based on maximum longevity
Life Cycle Cost Network re-use across platforms & nations shall be supported
Availability/Fault tolerance The network shall be reconfigurable for fault tolerance purposes
Routing The network shall route information to only the intended
...