Category Archives: DO-178

DO-331 Model-Based Design for DO-178C Project Verification

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Last week, we talked about the “pudding” of DO-178C projects. That, of course, being the implementation stage of a DO-178C guided avionics software project. We touched on establishing implementation decisions and standards in your PSAC plan and the key considerations involved in making your implementation stage run as smooth as possible. So, by now you’ve implemented your product in code and are able to see it running. What’s our next step? Verification. With numerous activities, conditions, and considerations involved, DO-178C project verification can be, in a word, overwhelming. We’ve written about a few of the activities in DO-178C verification, but Continue Reading > > >

Join ConsuNova’s New On-Demand Training Portal

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Last week, we announced some really big news. The launch of a first in avionics—a revolutionary interactive knowledge base for professionals of all experience levels and specialties, The ConsuNova Avionics On-Demand Training Portal. This interactive video collection offers premium training and educational content for Avionics professionals of all experience levels, all at the click of a button. Available at www.consunova.com/trainingnow, this on-demand portal offers over 20 pieces of modularized, focused content based on FAA and EASA rules and regulations. Created by certified DERs and CVEs, content topics cover the full gamut of avionics and aerospace software (DO-178C), hardware (DO-254), systems (ARP 4754A) Continue Reading > > >

Avionics Certification Course

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Check out our upcoming avionics certification and training course! Classes run June 27 through July 1. The amount of topics and dense details in avionics certification combined with the need for tangible application of engineering concepts means that just reading manuals and articles will never be enough to keep your aircraft knowledge “flying high.”  That’s why we’re hosting a comprehensive five-day interactive online avionics certification course. Topics include: DAY 1:– Understand ARP 4754A & ARP 4761 DAL Determination– SAE ARP 4754A Certification Considerations– ARP 4761 Functional Hazard Assessment– ARP 4761 Safety Assessment Process: PSSA & SSA DAY 2:– Avionics Configuration Continue Reading > > >

3-Step Guide to Defining Requirements for DO-178C Software Development

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To verify and complete any DO-178C guided software project, every part of that project needs to be requirements driven.   Requirements are what enable an avionics software project as a whole, and act as a “control group” throughout the rest of the project’s lifecycle. And it should go without saying that control is key in avionics and flying aircraft, benefiting every project and function of the industry. Most aerospace professionals know that building requirements takes careful consideration, read: time. But if you have a good plan for building your requirements definitions, like the three-step approach ConsuNova developed to help said Continue Reading > > >

The 5 Key Ingredients to Get Your Avionics Software Code Implementation Cooking

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Cooking and avionics are incredibly similar. At their cores, they’re both made of meticulous processes that involve numerous steps and require numerous elements to be prepared and altered in just the right way, all in the hopes of creating an exceptional end-result experienced by numerous people. So, in this article, we’re covering an important section of the avionics software project recipe: implementation. When the “base” parts of your software dish—requirements and design—are ready, the next step is to get your code implemented in your product. While this particular step isn’t as complex or time-consuming as the entirety of your project, Continue Reading > > >

The 3D Experience: Avionics Software Design, Development and Data Coupling

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Not every profession has to use three dimensions. Artists, musicians, writers, and tax attorneys alike usually only need to consider two planes of existence in their professional lives. But aerospace engineers and avionics professionals have a unique relationship with all dimensions. Dealing with all planes all the time (pun absolutely intended) is no small feat, and it’s especially important (and ironic) when working within a platform that only uses two dimensions: Avionics Software Design. So, for this article, we’re going to cover a different, non-spatial “3D;” let’s talk about the design, development and use of data coupling for Avionics software. Continue Reading > > >

The Aerospace Coverage Sack: Structural Coverage Analysis in DO-178C Verification

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Sunday marks the end of the 2022 NFL season with the stupendous spectacle that is the Super Bowl. So, it should be no surprise that (American) football jargon was in the ConsuNova air this week. The “Power sweep,” “nickel package,” and “icing the kicker” are just a few of the phrases expressed on “any given Sunday,” though one stands out as an avionics and aerospace crossover: “the coverage sack.” For good measure, put simply, a “coverage sack” occurs when the defending team tackles the quarterback because no receiver was “open” to receive a pass. Though the analogy is a stretch, Continue Reading > > >

Autopilot Engaged? Automated vs. Manual DO-178C Verification

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UPDATE – Sept 27, 2022 In just the last six months, we’ve seen some incredible ways AI is helping aviation and aerospace development. As a leader in Avionics certification and aerospace engineering solutions, ConsuNova is at the forefront of new, “smart” technologies in aviation, and we’d like to show you what we’re developing in our upcoming webinar, “Applying AI to Design Assurance in Aerospace”. Topics to be covered include:• Design Assurance overview – Regulations, processes, and safety assurance steps.• Certification challenges using AI – How to deal with the potential risks and difficulties when using AI to deliver intended functionality.• Continue Reading > > >

The Importance of Avionics Software Project Planning

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No matter the industry or role, planning is a crucial part of any task’s successful completion. Well thought-out, SMART-goal driven plans help set the scene for activities, letting every stakeholder “see” the desired outcome, and how, when and even why that outcome will be achieved. When it comes to avionics, a great plan and “sticking to it” will invariably make or break your project. In this article, we’re focusing on avionics software development and how to plan with DO-178C and related DALs in mind. We’ll start with a quick list of the primary components that every good DO-178C-related plan, and Continue Reading > > >

It All Starts with DAL

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I was tempted to title this article “DAL starts with DAL,” the first abbreviation read as if to say the should-never-exist contraction “it’DAL…” and I’m glad I didn’t. The beginning of any project, be it writing an article or developing aerospace software, is crucial. Arguably, it’s the most crucial piece of its success. For virtually every avionics and aerospace project type or discipline, it really does “all start with DAL.” DALs, Design Assurance Levels, are the key measures assigned to software and hardware functions used to determine the level of stringency applied to different components of an avionics system. Be Continue Reading > > >

DO-178C In a Nutshell

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If you’re reading this, it’s a safe bet that you have something to do with the aerospace industry. And it would be a safer bet that you’ve (at least) heard of what most avionics professionals consider the quintessential avionics document, DO-178C. The multifaceted and highly technical go-to guideline for all commercial software-based aerospace systems, DO-178C is vital to modern-day avionics project planning and development. Although there are many dense details to cover, we wanted to quickly note some of the key concepts of 178C (the latest version of DO-178) and a couple ways it’s applied to today’s aerospace projects. We’ll Continue Reading > > >

CAST-32A and AMC 20-193 Compliance for Multi-core Processors

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he use of multicore systems brings extra complexity to software behavior, and as a result to the certification and verification activities that must be performed to provide sufficient design assurance. As multicore systems were not used in avionics when DO-178C was released, DO-178C itself includes no guidance on certification concerns for multicore systems. This was addressed by the CAST team in CAST-32A, which is due to be superseded by AMC/AC 20-193. To understand more about CAST-32A and AMC 20-193, read ConsuNova Resource Page. ConsuNova also provide CAST-32A Training and AMC 20-193 Training under their Advanced DO-178C Training.

Combined DO-178C Training and DO-330 Training Nov 2019

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Applying Optimized DO-178C Practices    1- DO-178C Design Assurance and Relationship with ARP-4754A/4761. 2- DO-178C PSAC explanation in detailed. 3- Optimized DO-178C process planning (SDP and impact Lifecycle decisions). 4- DO-178C Development Process, Traceability & Development Best Practices. 5- Explanation of DO-178C Testing and Structural Coverage and how to craft SVP. 6- Impact of DO-178C Integral Process (SCMP and SQAP). 7- DO-178C Industry Facts and Compliance cost drivers. 8- Differences and Challenges between DO-178B and DO-178C.   Understand and Fine-tune DO-178C Engineering Challenges 1- Parameter Data Items and Requirement Workshop. 2- DO-178C Data Coupling & Control Coupling Analysis by test. Continue Reading > > >

Europe DO-178C/ED-12C Training and Workshops in 2016

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Practical DO-178C/ED-12C Training and Workshops Scheduled at Select European Technology Centers 14th – 15th November – London, UK 16th – 17th November – Madrid, Spain “Not just another basic DO-178C training session.” This is a practical, focused approach to understanding, implementing and successfully executing compliant plans, processes and required support data. A thorough understanding of the guidelines is important, but it is critical to understand how to efficiently satisfy the associated requirements. This training is designed to be fast-paced, dynamic, up-to-date, given by working industry experts with a shared goal: teaching attendees industry best practices that maximize efficiency in managing and delivering software under DO-178C. This workshop covers Continue Reading > > >

How to consider open source code in a DO-178C DAL-D project?

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This question was asked in one of LinkedIn Groups: DAL-D requires High level requirements to be verified, but does not require code review. If a Project requires to integrate code from an open source project for a codec or a real time system like linux. How shall this code be considered?  DO-178C does not have Objectives on source code, coding standards, or where it comes from.  The developer is free to use it. Shall it be reversed engineered in High level requirements and design?  It is best to create corresponding High Level Requirements.  DO-178C does not imposes creating design for Continue Reading > > >

Practical DO-178C / ED-12C Training opportunity (June 30, 2016: London / UK)

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This DO-178C training will help organizations understand and prepare for new processes and development activities needed to satisfy DO-178C. This event will address targeted DO-178C topics and efficiently deliver industry best practices. Attendees will receive: Understanding of DO-178C / ED-12C from a “How To” and “Why” perspective along with the following: FREE PSAC & PHAC templates available FREE Access to adviceGEAR Library adviceGEAR includes whitepapers, checklists, process templates, FAA CAST Papers and more DO-178C & its’ relationship to ARP-4754A / 4761 Industry best practices: from planning, to requirements, verification and passing CERT audits 20% early-bird discount ends 16th June 2016. Continue Reading > > >

How do you become a Designated Engineering Representative or DER?

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A DER is an individual, appointed in accordance with 14 CFR  183.29, who holds an engineering degree or equivalent, possesses technical knowledge and experience, and meets the qualification requirements of Order 8100.8D. A DER may be appointed to act as a Company DER and/or Consultant DER. Company DERs can act as DER for their employer and may only approve, or recommend approval, of technical data to the FAA for the company. Consultant DERs are individuals appointed to act as an independent (self-employed) DER to approve or recommend approval of technical data to the FAA. The followings are the General (but Continue Reading > > >

What is the Software SOI and how to pass EASA / FAA Audits?

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SOIs are Stages of Involvements and are the minimum gates that a Certification Authority (EASA or FAA) gets involved in reviewing a system or sub-system. With respect to Software there are certain guidelines to know for successful results showing DO-178C compliance. Under FAA Review: Software Order 8110.49: SW Approval Guidelines SW Job Aid: Review Guidelines Under EASA Review: Software EASA CM – SWCEH – 002: SW Approval Guidelines General notes to consider: 80% similar process between FAA / EASA FAA uses DERs to assist or perform the Audits EASA uses Panel 10 (experts of SW & AEH) FAA uses Job Aids Continue Reading > > >