MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC-429 are both data bus standards that are widely used in avionics systems. ARINC-429 employs a point-to-point(s) physical layer topology and can therefore operate in a single-cast or multicast mode.

ARINC-429 is primarily used in commercial aircraft but is also used in helicopters and other military applications. MIL-STD-1553 operates over a dual redundant multi-drop bus and is ideal for real-time mission-critical applications. It supports single-cast or multicast messages.

Some applications use multi-I/O boards that include both MIL-STD-1553 and ARINC-429 interfaces. Such boards can also include interfaces for other military databus protocols, including EBR-1553 and CAN bus/ARINC-825. Although CANbus is used primarily in commercial automotive applications, it’s also used in military ground vehicles. It is also utilized with heavy industrial and agricultural vehicles.