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As a trusted leader in engineering services, Aversan specializes in providing top-tier DO-178 services 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
The planning phase is the first step in the DO-178C process, aligning with the core principle of design assurance—planning before execution.
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 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
To determine compliance, certification authorities typically conduct four key “Stage of Involvement” (SOI) reviews. These reviews are:
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.
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
2700 Matheson Blvd E Unit 801E
Mississauga, ON L4W 4V9
(416) 289-1554
We conduct a thorough assessment of your existing processes, identify gaps, and develop a tailored roadmap to achieve compliance.
Our team assists in creating high-quality, traceable requirements that align with DO-178 guidelines.
We provide end-to-end support for software design and development, ensuring compliance with all necessary certification levels.
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.
Aversan utilizes advanced tools and methodologies to streamline your development processes, enhancing efficiency while ensuring full compliance with industry standards like DO-330.
From documentation to audits, we guide you through the entire certification process, working closely with regulatory bodies like the FAA and EASA.
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.
Aversan provides end-to-end solutions, from design and certification to final manufacturing. With our expertise in DO-178 services and in-house electronics manufacturing (EM) capabilities, we can take your project from concept to production, ensuring seamless integration and delivery under one roof.
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.
Gain clear insights into DO-178 certification, including DO-178B vs. DO-178C, typical certification timelines, and the tools we use for full DO-178 compliance services. Discover how we fully support your aerospace software development needs.
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