CDA presents a unique approach for integrating devices in that it combines a three-pronged solution for integration. These are:
- an interface development process (i.e., the Super API)
- a toolset supporting that process, and
- a software architecture supporting the rapid prototyping effort to demonstrate the “Plug and Play” capability.
The CDA toolset is utilized to manage the complex and large amount of interface data for each device. Without the toolset and formal process, the volume and complexity of the data would quickly become unmanageable. Additionally, the toolset’s support of airworthy development through requirement management, design, software development, and traceability increases confidence of the resultant system.