Aerospace/Avionics (DO-178C)

DO-178C is a widely recognized international standard that guides the development of software in airborne systems and equipment. It emphasizes functional safety and is used by certification authorities like the FAA and EASA to approve software-based aerospace systems. DO-178C, formally titled "Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification," outlines a formal process standard for the entire software lifecycle, ensuring correctness and robustness.

Key Aspects of DO-178C:

• Certification Compliance:
  DO-178C is a critical document for certification authorities to assess and approve commercial software-based aerospace systems.
• Software Lifecycle:
  The standard covers all stages of the software lifecycle, from planning to development, verification, and maintenance, ensuring a structured and rigorous approach.
• Process-Oriented:
  DO-178C emphasizes the importance of well-defined processes and activities, with clear entry and exit criteria.
• Verification and Validation:
  It mandates rigorous verification and validation procedures, including code reviews, requirements traceability, unit testing, and more.
• Risk-Based Approach:
  While DO-178C provides a structured framework, it also allows for a risk-based approach, where development and verification activities are tailored to the specific risks involved.
• Design Assurance Levels:
  DO-178C requires assigning Design Assurance Levels (DALs) to software based on the potential effects of failures, ranging from minimal to catastrophic.
• Traceability:
  The standard emphasizes traceability, ensuring that requirements, code, and test cases are all linked and demonstrably related.
• Compliance with Regulations:
  Meeting DO-178C requirements is often necessary for obtaining certification and allowing aircraft to operate legally.