When it comes to aviation, ensuring the safety and reliability of software used in airborne systems is crucial. One of the key standards for this is DO-178, which provides guidelines for certifying software in aviation systems. In this post, we’ll explore what DO-178 is, why it’s important, what it involves, and how it’s applied in software development.

Why?

Why is DO-178 Important?
In aviation, software failures can have severe consequences, from system malfunctions to catastrophic accidents. DO-178 is important because it provides a framework for ensuring that software meets the safety standards required for certification by aviation authorities like the FAA and EASA. By following DO-178, developers can minimize risks and ensure that software works as intended without compromising safety.

What?

What Does DO-178 Include?
DO-178 provides a clear structure for software development and certification. Here’s what it involves:
Software Criticality Levels (A to E):
DO-178 defines five levels of software criticality, from Level A (most critical) to Level E (least critical). The more critical the software, the stricter the requirements for development, testing, and documentation.
Software Life Cycle Processes:
The standard outlines a series of steps to follow throughout the software life cycle, including:
Planning: Creating plans for development and testing.
Requirements: Documenting software requirements clearly.
Design: Creating the software architecture and detailed design.
Coding: Writing the software code.
Testing and Verification: Ensuring the software works correctly through various testing methods.
Configuration Management: Managing versions and changes to software.
Certification: Working with regulatory bodies to certify the software.
Verification and Validation:
DO-178 emphasizes verifying that the software meets its requirements and validating that it performs as expected in real-world conditions.
Traceability:
Every requirement, design decision, and test must be traceable, ensuring that all aspects of the software are accounted for and properly tested.

How?

How is DO-178 Applied?
Implementing DO-178 involves several key steps in the software development process:
Planning:
Create a Software Development Plan (SDP) and a Software Verification Plan (SVP), which define the processes and techniques you’ll use to follow DO-178 guidelines.
Risk Assessment and Software Classification:
Determine the criticality level of your software. Higher-risk software (Level A) will require more rigorous testing and verification than lower-risk software (Level D or E).
Design and Development:
Develop the software following the requirements and design specifications. Make sure the software code is of high quality and traceable to the requirements.
Testing and Verification:
Use both static testing (like code reviews) and dynamic testing (such as unit tests and integration tests) to verify that the software meets its requirements and works as expected.
Documentation and Configuration Management:
Ensure proper documentation for all steps in the process and manage the software versions to track changes and maintain consistency.
Certification:
Once development and testing are complete, submit the software for certification by aviation authorities. This process ensures that the software meets all safety and reliability standards.

Conclusion

DO-178 is a vital standard in ensuring the safety and reliability of software used in aviation systems. By following its structured processes, developers can reduce risks and create software that meets the strict safety standards necessary for certification. Understanding why DO-178 is needed, what it entails, and how to apply it helps ensure that software used in airborne systems is safe, reliable, and ready for certification.