THERMAC · Project

Software That Keeps Aircraft Computers Cool Without Heavy Cooling Hardware

transportPrototypeTRL 4Thin data (2/5)

cister.isep.ipp.pt

Modern aircraft are cramming more and more computing power into tight spaces — think multicore processors and GPUs running avionics. Just like your laptop gets hot when you push it hard, these onboard computers overheat, which is dangerous at 30,000 feet. THERMAC built smart software that manages how computing tasks are distributed across processors so the hardware stays cooler — no extra fans or heat sinks needed. The payoff: lighter electronics, more reliable systems, and the ability to run more functions on the same box.

By the numbers

EUR 793,375

EU contribution for thermal-aware computing research

2 partners

Consortium size across 2 countries (Portugal, Czech Republic)

4 deliverables

Total project deliverables produced

The business problem

What needed solving

Aircraft electronics are getting more powerful but also hotter. Multicore processors and GPUs crammed into avionics boxes overheat, forcing manufacturers to add heavy cooling hardware that increases aircraft weight and limits how many computing functions can share one platform. This drives up costs and constrains system design.

The solution

What was built

The project produced software-based thermal management techniques for multicore and GPU avionics platforms, along with a benchmark suite and evaluation techniques for testing those solutions. A total of 4 deliverables were completed over the project's nearly 3-year run.

Audience

Who needs this

Avionics system integrators building next-generation flight computersEmbedded computing module manufacturers targeting aerospaceeVTOL and urban air mobility companies optimizing onboard electronics weightAircraft thermal management engineers at Tier 1 aerospace suppliersDrone manufacturers needing high-performance computing in weight-constrained platforms

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Aerospace & Avionics

enterprise

Target: Avionics system integrators and aircraft electronics manufacturers

If you are an avionics company dealing with overheating in multicore or GPU-based computing platforms — this project developed software-based thermal management techniques that reduce operating temperatures, improve dependability, and allow more functionalities on the same hardware. The consortium of 2 partners across 2 countries built and validated these methods specifically for small aircraft transport platforms.

Embedded Computing & Edge Hardware

mid-size

Target: Manufacturers of ruggedized or embedded computing modules

If you are an embedded systems company struggling to keep high-performance processors cool in size-constrained enclosures — this project created thermal-aware resource management software for multicore and GPU platforms. The techniques reduce the need for bulky cooling solutions, meaning smaller and lighter product designs. A benchmark suite was also developed to evaluate thermal performance across different workloads.

Urban Air Mobility & Drones

any

Target: eVTOL and large drone manufacturers

If you are building electric vertical takeoff aircraft or heavy-payload drones where every gram counts — this project's software-based cooling approach can reduce the size and weight of onboard electronics. Instead of adding physical cooling hardware, the thermal-aware management distributes computing tasks intelligently to keep temperatures safe. This was validated for next-generation aircraft computing platforms over a project period of nearly 3 years.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to license or adopt this thermal management software?

The project was funded with EUR 793,375 in EU contribution under the Clean Sky 2 programme. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated directly with the coordinator (INSTITUTO SUPERIOR DE ENGENHARIA DO PORTO in Portugal). As a publicly funded research project, some results may be available under favorable academic licensing terms.

Can this scale to commercial aircraft production lines?

The project targeted small aircraft transport computing platforms specifically. Scaling to larger commercial aircraft would require additional validation and certification work. The software-based approach is inherently scalable since it manages existing hardware rather than requiring new physical components.

Who owns the intellectual property?

IP is held by the 2-partner consortium (institutions in Portugal and Czech Republic). Both are universities (Higher Education institutions), so licensing discussions would go through their technology transfer offices. Clean Sky 2 programme rules govern IP sharing with the joint undertaking.

Does this require changes to existing avionics hardware?

No. The core value proposition is that these are software-based techniques applied to existing multicore and GPU-based platforms. The project aimed to reduce operating temperature without adding physical cooling hardware, which means integration into existing systems is the design intent.

What was actually tested and validated?

The project produced 4 deliverables including a benchmark suite and evaluation techniques for demonstrating the thermal-aware management solutions. Based on available project data, validation focused on benchmark applications running on multicore and GPU-based avionics platforms. The project ran from April 2019 to January 2022.

Is this certified for aviation use?

Based on available project data, the project developed and validated the techniques but aviation certification (e.g., DO-178C) would be a separate process. The Clean Sky 2 funding context suggests alignment with aviation industry requirements, but certified deployment would require additional work with an avionics OEM.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a lean, research-focused consortium of just 2 university partners from Portugal and Czech Republic — no industrial companies or SMEs are involved. The coordinator, INSTITUTO SUPERIOR DE ENGENHARIA DO PORTO, is a Portuguese polytechnic engineering institute. The absence of avionics manufacturers or system integrators in the consortium means the technology would need an industry partner to move toward commercialization. However, the project was funded under Clean Sky 2, which is the EU's aviation industry joint undertaking, suggesting indirect industry alignment. For a business looking to adopt these results, expect to work directly with the academic teams on technology transfer.

INSTITUTO SUPERIOR DE ENGENHARIA DO PORTOCoordinator · PT
CESKE VYSOKE UCENI TECHNICKE V PRAZEparticipant · CZ

How to reach the team

Contact INSTITUTO SUPERIOR DE ENGENHARIA DO PORTO (ISEP) in Porto, Portugal — look for the CISTER Research Centre team working on real-time and embedded computing systems.

Order a report on this consortium See INSTITUTO SUPERIOR DE ENGENHARIA DO PORTO profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the THERMAC team to discuss licensing their thermal management software for your avionics or embedded computing products? SciTransfer can arrange a direct conversation.

Order a report on this topic More in Transport & Mobility