DO-178C

Definition

DO-178C, also known as 'Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification', is a standard used in the aerospace industry to ensure the safety and reliability of software used in airborne systems. It defines a framework for software development processes, including verification and validation, which are essential for compliance with safety requirements in aviation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. DO-178C categorizes software into five levels based on its criticality, ranging from Level A (most critical) to Level E (least critical), guiding the rigor of the development process.
2. The standard emphasizes the importance of traceability throughout the development process, requiring clear connections between requirements, design, implementation, and testing.
3. It encourages the use of formal methods and tools to enhance the reliability of software, particularly for Level A applications where failure could result in catastrophic consequences.
4. An updated version of DO-178C includes new supplementary documents that address model-based development and formal verification techniques, enhancing modern software practices.
5. Compliance with DO-178C is mandatory for obtaining certification from aviation authorities like the FAA or EASA for software used in commercial aircraft.

Review Questions

• How does DO-178C influence the software development processes in airborne systems?
  • DO-178C significantly impacts the software development processes by establishing strict guidelines that ensure safety and reliability. It defines various activities like requirements analysis, design, coding, and testing, along with their corresponding documentation. By categorizing software into different levels based on criticality, it dictates the necessary rigor and depth of each process step, promoting thorough verification and validation to achieve compliance.
• Discuss the role of verification and validation in meeting DO-178C requirements for airborne software.
  • Verification and validation play a crucial role in meeting DO-178C requirements as they ensure that the developed software is both correct and reliable. Verification confirms that the software meets its specifications through systematic reviews and testing, while validation ensures it fulfills its intended use. This two-pronged approach helps to demonstrate compliance with safety standards, especially for higher-level software categories where failures could have severe consequences.
• Evaluate how the introduction of model-based development practices aligns with DO-178C's objectives for software reliability in aviation.
  • The introduction of model-based development practices aligns closely with DO-178C's objectives by enhancing reliability through abstraction and formal methods. By using models to represent system behavior early in the development process, teams can identify issues sooner and improve traceability between requirements, design, and implementation. This shift not only streamlines verification processes but also integrates modern techniques that support higher assurance levels required by DO-178C, ultimately leading to safer airborne systems.

Related terms

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC): The process of planning, creating, testing, and deploying software, which is critical to ensuring that software meets necessary requirements and standards like DO-178C.

Verification and Validation (V&V):

A process that ensures the software meets specifications and fulfills its intended purpose; it is a key component of DO-178C to demonstrate compliance.

Aerospace Safety Standards: A set of regulations and guidelines designed to ensure the safety of systems and components used in aerospace applications, with DO-178C being one of the most significant for software.