iscrete wires. Consequently, the device is not only lighter, it also has fewer interface circuits. This enhanced simplicity reduces the likelihood of electrical malfunction (Andrade & Tenning 4-11).
One aircraft subsystem which is prone to such failure is the avionics. Recent technological advances, however, are making avionics systems less vulnerable. These modern avionics employ large-scale integrated computing architecture. This architecture is used, for example, in the Boeing 777's Airplane Information Management System. By minimizing the duplication of hardware and software elements, functionally integrated architectures decrease failure rates. High levels of functional integration generally provide "availability and integrity" which far exceeds "the requirements for distributed implementations (Morgan 9-12)." The integrated computing architecture used in the Boeing 777 consists of dual integrated cabinets that provide the "processing, power supply, and I/O hardware and software required to perform several functions (Morgan, 1991, pp. 9-12)." For instance, the modern avionics perform flight management, central maintenance, airplane condition monitoring, communi
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