The Time-Triggered Architecture (TTA) is a distributed computer architecture for the implementation of highly dependable real-time systems.

The TTA establishes a frame for data processing in the area of distributed embedded real-time systems with highly reliable applications. It sets up the computing infrastructure for the implementation of applications and provides mechanisms and guide lines to partition large applications into nearly autonomous subsystems along small and well-defined interfaces in order that the complexity of the evolving product can be controlled.

Benefits and Advantages of Time-Triggered Architecture

In the Time-Triggered Architecture architecture design is interface design. By defining an architectural style that is observed at all component interfaces, the architecture avoids property mismatches at the interfaces and eliminates the need for unproductive code.

A TTA system has fault tolerance implemented in both hardware and software. Whereas the hardware relies on redundant nodes and duplicated communication channels, the software uses algorithms that control basic services.

Short innovation cycles allow a rapid evolution of subsystems without taking the risk of hidden faults. In a TTA system it is guaranteed that changed groups of components can be easily integrated in an existing overall system. A supplier can be sure that the timing in his subsystem is not changed by the integration in the overall system and the testing must be done solely on his own subsystem. A drastic time and cost reduction for testing and system integration is guaranteed.

Design Principles of Time-Triggered Architecture

Consistent Distributed Computing Platform. The main purpose of the TTA is to provide a consistent distributed computing base to all correct nodes in order that reliable distributed applications can be built with manageable effort.

Unification of Interfaces - Temporal Firewalls. A good architecture must be based on a small number of orthogonal concepts that are reused in many different situations. The effort needed for understanding complex systems is reduced. The control error propagation is eliminated by design through temporal firewalls.

Scalability. The TTA is intended for the design of complex distributed real-time applications. The effort needed to understand a particular system function is independent of the system size. Therefore a complex system that supports many different functions can be constructed most efficiently.

System Integration and Composability. In order to implement a communication architecture in a highly efficient way, the system needs to support composability. Composability allows changing a control unit without influencing the function of other control units. When a component is integrated, no testing of the complete system is needed because reliable tests of the components are sufficient. Composability involves no changes of the system's behavior if the complete system or a single part is in operation. Composability is one of the basic properties of TTA.