The software to drive the hardware of the computer is based on VxWorks 653 Real Time Operating System (RTOS). This is the first time that this RTOS has been used in POWER PC architecture with PCI-e communication. The VxWorks 653 has the unique feature of partitioned OS providing space and time partition, thereby allowing different safety levels of hardware and software to function in the same hardware platform.

Each partition can thus operate independently without affecting tasks of other partition. The device drivers and board support packages have been developed and Application Programme Interface (API) calls are being developed to meet user requirements.

VxWorks 653 is an OS designed for safety-critical applications. In a safety-critical system, applications and operating systems must be protected from the errant behavior of other applications and libraries. To achieve this, VxWorks 653 divides the software system into partitions. Each partition is protected from applications running in other partitions. A set of partitions running on a common core OS is referred to as a module. The module is controlled by the core OS. The task of the core OS is to schedule the partitions and to provide services to the applications running in partitions. To protect the core OS from errant behavior by applications, applications can communicate only with the partition OS running in the application's partition. The partition OS in turn communicates with the core OS through a controlled API.

Integrated communication (INCOM) System: - INCOM 1210AL is the V/UHF radio communication system installed on the LCA aircraft to provide Air to Ground and Air to Air communication. There are two INCOM sets installed on the Aircraft. The main set is connected to the Top Antenna and the standby set is connected to the Bottom Antenna.

The main hardware elements are three 24-bit Motorola 56001 DSP Processors operating at 10 MIPS each. Each processor has an external program memory of 32Kbytes (EPROM). Two processors have three RAMs each of 8Kbytes X 8Bits and the third processor has three RAMs of 32Kbytes X 8Bits. The required control logic is generated by three PLDs. All the three processors run on 20.4MHz Clock. There are A/Ds and D/As for required signal input and output