DO-178 Compliance
As a trusted leader in engineering services, Aversan Inc. specializes in providing top-tier DO-178 compliance solutions for the aerospace and avionics industries. With years of experience and a commitment to excellence, we help our clients achieve the rigorous safety and certification standards required by the FAA and EASA.
What is DO-178?
DO-178C, or “Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification,” is the global standard for certifying software used in airborne systems. It is the key framework for regulatory authorities such as the FAA, EASA, and Transport Canada, ensuring that commercial and military aerospace software meets stringent safety and reliability criteria. DO-178C (called as ED-12C in Europe) is essential for airworthiness certification in both civilian and military avionics systems worldwide.
History of DO-178
The Inception
Developed in the late 1970s, DO-178 was created to establish a structured process for ensuring the safety of airborne software, with a strong emphasis on documentation and testing. In the 1980s, it evolved into DO-178A, which introduced varying activity levels based on the software’s criticality while maintaining a prescriptive, step-by-step approach to the certification process. This evolution laid the groundwork for future updates in software certification for airborne systems.
The Shift
In 1992, DO-178B marked a major shift. It replaced the prescriptive approach with a more flexible framework, outlining specific objectives and activities that a design assurance process must meet. This update defined key objectives and activities that a design assurance process must meet, allowing developers to adopt various development methods while ensuring compliance with critical airworthiness standards. DO-178B remains a cornerstone of software certification, providing the structure necessary for the safe, reliable operation of airborne systems.
The Present
By 2012, advancements in software engineering made consistent application of DO-178B challenging. This led to the release of DO-178C, which clarified details, removed inconsistencies, and introduced supplements to guide the use of specific technologies. DO-178C also refined the original intent of DO-178B to help developers achieve compliance more accurately and consistently.
Design Assurance Level
DO-178B introduced the concept of Design Assurance Levels (DAL), which was continued in DO-178C. DAL defines the level of rigor required in the design assurance process based on the software’s potential impact on aircraft safety.
The higher the DAL, the more stringent the activities and objectives that must be met, as software failures at higher levels can result in more severe consequences for the aircraft. This system ensures that critical software meets the necessary standards for airworthiness and safety.
|
DAL |
Failure Condition |
Objectives |
With Independence |
|
Level A |
Catastrophic |
71 |
30 |
|
Level B |
Hazardous |
69 |
18 |
|
Level C |
Major |
62 |
5 |
|
Level D |
Minor |
26 |
2 |
|
Level E |
No Effect |
0 |
0 |
DO-178C Processes
DO-178C Planning Process Overview
The planning phase is the first step in the DO-178C process, aligning with the core principle of design assurance—planning before execution.
DO-178C Development Process Overview
Development encompasses all activities related to designing and producing DO-178C software that meets the system requirements of a project. Key aspects include:
DO-178C Integral Process Overview
DO-178C defines four integral processes—Verification, Configuration Management, Quality Assurance, and Certification Liaison—that must be followed throughout a project. These processes should be planned during the planning phase, with evidence of their implementation collected to demonstrate compliance to certification authorities
Certification Authority Compliance Process: Four Key Review Stages
To determine compliance, certification authorities typically conduct four key “Stage of Involvement” (SOI) reviews. These reviews are:
- SOI#1 or Planning Review
- SOI#2 or Development Review
- SOI#3 or Verification Review
- SOI#4 or Certification review
Each review focuses on a specific phase of the development process and evaluates the evidence that demonstrates compliance at each stage, ensuring incremental adherence to requirements throughout the lifecycle.
DO-178 Compliance
At Aversan, we have a deep understanding of DO-178 guidelines, from Level A (catastrophic failure conditions) to Level E (no effect on operational safety). Our team of experts ensures that your software meets all compliance requirements, enabling smooth and successful certification processes.
info@aversan.com
Address
2700 Matheson Blvd E Unit 801E
Mississauga, ON L4W 4V9
Phone
(416) 289-1554
Gap Analysis and Strategy Development
We conduct a thorough assessment of your existing processes, identify gaps, and develop a tailored roadmap to achieve compliance.
Requirements
Development and
Management
Our team assists in creating high-quality, traceable requirements that align with DO-178 guidelines.
Software Design and
Development
We provide end-to-end support for software design and development, ensuring compliance with all necessary certification levels.
Verification and
Validation (V&V)
We perform testing, reviews, analyses, and test execution to ensure DO-178 compliance for aerospace and safety-critical applications. This supports independence for higher DAL systems.
Process Improvement and Automation
Aversan utilizes advanced tools and methodologies to streamline your development processes, enhancing efficiency while ensuring full compliance with industry standards like DO-330.
Certification
Support
From documentation to audits, we guide you through the entire certification process, working closely with regulatory bodies like the FAA and EASA.
System Integration Lab
We ensure DO-178 compliance through testing, reviews, and analyses. Aversan can create a System Integration Lab (SIL) to replicate aircraft input/output interfaces, allowing lab testing before the aircraft is ready. This helps identify costly integration errors early in development.
Why Choose Aversan
Aversan provides end-to-end solutions, from design and certification to final manufacturing. With our expertise in DO-178 compliance and in-house electronics manufacturing (EM) capabilities, we can take your project from concept to production, ensuring seamless integration and delivery under one roof.
Case study: Wind River
Aversan has been a trusted partner to Wind River Systems, providing expert Verification & Validation (V&V) services for critical aerospace software. With over 10 years of experience and a deep understanding of Wind River’s processes, Aversan’s team ensures seamless certification of Board Support Packages (BSPs) for high-stakes programs.
From tackling challenges with VectorCAST to maintaining project timelines amidst shifting releases, Aversan delivers reliable, cost-effective results.
We’re proud partners of:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Gain clear insights into DO-178 certification, including DO-178B vs. DO-178C, typical certification timelines, and the tools we use for full compliance. Discover how we fully support your aerospace software development needs.