This article presents the concepts defined in the ARINC 661 standard used in the UA application built-in application. Note that the UA Applications are coded using the J661 framework.
Overview
ARINC 661 is a standard which aims to normalize the definition of a cockpit_display_system (CDS), and the communication between the CDS and User Applications (UA) which manage Aircraft avionics functions. The GUI definition is completely defined in Definition Files (DF)
The CDS software is constituted of a kernel which is able to create the GUI hierarchy specified in the DF during initialization, thus not needing to be recompiled if the GUI definition changes.
Glossary
Cockpit display system
A Cockpit Display System (or CDS), as defined in the ARINC 661 standard, is an ARINC661 graphic Server, constituted of a kernel which is able to create the GUI hierarchy specified in configuration Files called Definition Files during initialization, thus not needing to be recompiled if the GUI definition changes
User application
A User Application (or UA), as defined in the ARINC 661 standard, manage Aircraft avionics functions and communicates with a Cockpit Display System
Definition file
The GUI definition of the Cockpit Display System interface is defined in an XML file called Definition File (or DF) defining the structure of the graphical interface tree. The GUI tree is instantiated at initialization time (called the Definition Phase in the standard) in the CDS, using the definition contained in the DF. See also Definition File for more information
J661
A Java framework allowing to implement ARINC 661 Servers or Clients
Arinc 661 client
A User Application (UA) coded for the J661 framework
Arinc 661 server
A Cockpit Display System (CDS) implemented in the J661 framework
Widget
A Widget is a reusable graphic component defined in the ARINC 661 standard. See also widgets for more information
Mapitem
A MapItem is a dynamic element that can be presented in a vertical or horizontal Map Widget