DO-178C

Definition

DO-178C is a standard used in the aerospace industry for software development, ensuring that software is safe and reliable for airborne systems. It provides guidelines for verifying and validating software processes, helping to minimize the risk of software failures in aviation applications by establishing rigorous processes for development, testing, and certification.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. DO-178C categorizes software into five levels (A through E) based on the severity of failure conditions, with Level A being the most critical.
2. The standard emphasizes traceability, requiring that every requirement has corresponding test cases to ensure thorough verification.
3. DO-178C includes guidelines for using model-based development techniques, which can streamline the design and verification processes.
4. There are specific supplementary documents under DO-178C, such as DO-330 for tool qualification and DO-331 for model-based design considerations.
5. Compliance with DO-178C is often necessary for obtaining FAA or EASA certification for aviation software products.

Review Questions

• How does DO-178C categorize software based on failure severity, and what implications does this have for the verification process?
  • DO-178C categorizes software into five levels (A through E) depending on the potential severity of failure conditions. Level A represents the most critical failures that could result in catastrophic consequences, while Level E represents non-critical issues. This categorization directly impacts the verification process, as higher levels require more rigorous testing and validation activities to ensure safety and reliability, including extensive documentation and traceability.
• Discuss the role of traceability in DO-178C compliance and how it influences software development practices.
  • Traceability is a cornerstone of DO-178C compliance, requiring developers to establish clear connections between requirements, design elements, implementation, and test cases. This practice ensures that all requirements are verified through corresponding tests, minimizing the risk of oversight. By implementing robust traceability practices, developers can enhance accountability and demonstrate that all safety-critical aspects of the software have been addressed thoroughly during development.
• Evaluate how the introduction of model-based development techniques within DO-178C influences the overall efficiency of the software development lifecycle in aviation.
  • The inclusion of model-based development techniques in DO-178C significantly improves efficiency by allowing developers to create visual representations of system components and behaviors early in the lifecycle. This approach facilitates early validation through simulation and helps identify potential issues before actual coding begins. Additionally, it streamlines verification processes by generating test cases automatically from models, ultimately reducing time and costs while maintaining high standards of safety and reliability required in aviation software.

Related terms

Software Assurance: A systematic approach to ensuring that software functions correctly and reliably throughout its lifecycle, including development, testing, and maintenance.

Certification: The process of validating that a software product meets specific regulatory requirements and standards set by aviation authorities before it can be used in an operational environment.

Verification and Validation (V&V): The processes used to ensure that a software system meets its requirements and performs its intended functions correctly and reliably.