Wind River wins Frost & Sullivan Technology Leadership Award

Above: 2019 Global Avionics Software Platform Technology Leadership Award.
PRNewsfoto / Frost & Sullivan

The platform, which delivers an open virtualisation platform with robust time and space partitioning, complies with ARINC 653 application interfaces, reduces costs and time-to-certification, and enables functionalities for multi-core avionics operations. It is capable of handling any amount of workload and enables next-generation avionics. VxWorks 653 serves as the RTOS foundation for the recently released Wind River Helix Virtualization Platform (Helix Platform).

Above: 2019 Global Avionics Software Platform Technology Leadership Award (PRNewsfoto/Frost & Sullivan)

"The Wind River VxWorks product line features an open systems architecture integrated modular avionics platform that supports a host of industry- and government-recognised standards," said Priyanka Chimakurth, Senior Research Analyst. "The company designed the platform around a multi-supplier, role-based supply chain that meets safety certification guidelines. Wind River's solution allows application suppliers to develop, test, and deliver software platform applications independently and asynchronously. Because VxWorks supports independent build, link, and load, it helps to reduce the cost and risk, caused by sudden changes to an avionics control system."

Wind River provides constant technology enhancements and secures systems against potential hackers and malicious cyberattacks. In addition to the VxWorks product line, it offers Wind River Linux and other commercial-grade open source technologies for general purpose functions. Helix Platform enables future-proofing by consolidating multiple federated systems with both safety-critical and general purpose applications onto a single compute platform. And Wind River Simics enables unmodified target software to run on a virtual platform the way it does on physical hardware.

In addition to its broad product portfolio, a key differentiator for the company is its offer of extensive professional services with a CMMI Level 3-rated professional services team. Through this support, Wind River helps with product assembly and supports coaching for writing code. Furthermore, it presents licensing agreements under two distinct models: perpetual paid upfront licensing and a subscription-based licensing. The latter gives companies budget flexibility for projects.

"The company leverages its extensive product line to build strong partnerships with large companies that are looking to evolve software platform capabilities for internal avionics architecture expansion," noted Chimakurth. "Wind River's avionics software platform has more than 350 customers across more than 600 programmes, involving more than 100 civilian and military aircraft. Wind River continues to lead global RTOS market share based on the strength of its software design strategies."

Wind River avionics customers include Agusta Westland, Airbus, Collins Aerospace and Northrop Grumman.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents the Technology Leadership Award to the company that demonstrates uniqueness in developing and leveraging new technologies that deliver significant customer value.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.