DO-178C

See also: DO-178B

DO-178C / ED-12C
Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification
Latest Revision
Prepared by	RTCA SC-205 EUROCAE WG-12

DO-178C, Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification is the title of an upcoming document published by RTCA, Incorporated, in a joint effort with EUROCAE. This will replace DO-178B to be the primary document by which the certification authorities such as FAA, EASA and Transport Canada will approve all commercial software-based aerospace systems.

The new document will be called DO-178C/ED-12C and is due to be finalized in 2011.^[1][2]

Committee organization

The committee work is divided into seven Subgroups:

• SG1: SCWG Document Integration
• SG2: Issues and Rationale
• SG3: Tool Qualification
• SG4: Model Based Design and Verification
• SG5: Object-Oriented Technology
• SG6: Formal Methods
• SG7: Safety Related Considerations

The Model Based Design and Verification subgroup (SG4), is the largest of the working groups. All work is collected and coordinated via a web-site that is a collaborative work management mechanism.^[3] Working artifacts and draft documents are held in a restricted area available to group members only.

The work is focused on bringing DO-178B/ED-12B up to date with respect to current software development practices, tools, and technologies.

Differences with DO-178B

SC-205 is responsible for revising DO-178B/ED-12B to bring it up to date with respect to current software development and verification technologies, for example^[4]:

• addressing software modeling and the ability to use modeling to supplant some of the verification techniques required in DO-178B
• addressing object-oriented software and the conditions under which it can be used
• addressing formal methods to complement dynamic testing
• clarifying software tools and avionics tool qualification

Criticisms

There are strong calls by DERs (FAA Designated Engineering Representatives) for clarification/refinement of the definitions and boundaries between the key DO-178B concepts of High Level Requirements, Low Level Requirements, and Derived Requirements and a better definition of the exit/entry criteria between systems requirements and system design (see ARP4754) and that of software requirements and software design (which is the domain of DO-178B). Other topics such as what does verification mean in a model-based development paradigm and can model simulation or formal methods replace some or all software testing activities.

See also

• DO-178B

References

1. ^ Charlotte Adams (2010-09-01). "DO-178C nears finish line, with credit for modern tools and technologies". Avionics Intelligence. http://www.militaryaerospace.com/index/display/avi-article-display/7404622510/articles/avionics-intelligence/features-and-analysis/2010/9/do-178c-nears_finish.html. Retrieved 2010-10-23. "The industry expects the final package —DO-178C— to be released in the first quarter of 2011 and be mandated six to nine months after ratification." 
2. ^ "Summary of Difference Between DO-178B and DO-178C". FAA Consultants.com. Qualtech Consulting, Inc. http://faaconsultants.com/html/do-178c.html. Retrieved 2010-10-23. "The release of these long anticipated standards will occur in mid 2011 and be recognized by the Certification Authorities in 2012." 
3. ^ http://forum.pr.erau.edu/SCAS/
4. ^ "HighRely Synopsis of National FAA Software and Hardware Meeting Includes DO-178C Status". 2006. http://www.mil-embedded.com/news/Industry+News/3247. Retrieved 2009-09-31. "D0-178C will contain more details on software modeling and the potential ability to use modeling to supplant some of the verification techniques normally required in DO-178B. DO-178C will also more fully address OO (Object Oriented) software and the conditions under which it can be used and the certification ramifications of OO in DO-178C." 

External links

• Charlotte Adams (2010-10-21). "Safety-critical software for mission-critical applications to get boost with release of DO-178C". Military & Aerospace Electronics. http://www.militaryaerospace.com/index/display/article-display/8600651764/articles/military-aerospace-electronics/exclusive-content/2010/10/safety-critical-software.html. Retrieved 2010-10-23. 
• Charlotte Adams (2010-09-01). "DO-178C Core changes". Avionics Intelligence. http://www.militaryaerospace.com/index/display/avi-article-display/4144978045/articles/avionics-intelligence/news/2010/9/do-178c-core_changes.html. Retrieved 2010-10-23. 
• Bill StClair and Nat Hillary (2010). "DO-178C: Improved certification for cost-effective avionics systems". VME and Critical Systems. http://www.vmecritical.com/articles/id/?4824. Retrieved 2010-10-23. 
• John McHale (2009-10-08). "Upgrade to DO-178B certification, DO-178C, to address modern avionics software trends". Avionics Intelligence. http://www.militaryaerospace.com/index/display/avi-article-display/369873/articles/avionics-intelligence/features-and-analysis/2009/10/upgrade-to-do-178b-certification-do-178c-to-address-modern-avionics-software-trends.html. Retrieved 2010-10-23.