Avionics Certification - Complete Guide to DO-178, DO-178C, DO-254
The second edition brings this book up to date on C, the latest version of DO-178. It describes the impact on the earlier document in the practical style of the authors, who have a combined experience of 50 years in avionics certification. The book is the result of seminars given throughout the world for over ten years. This edition is updated with new chapters on: Integrated Modular Avionics (DO-297), Software Tool Qualification (DO-330) and the complete test of the related FAA Advisory Circular 20-115C: Airborne Software Assurance.
Why Read This Book
You will get a practical, seminar-tested roadmap to meeting avionics certification requirements for both software and hardware; the authors translate DO-178C, DO-254 and related guidance into actionable lifecycle practices and artifacts. You will learn how to plan, verify, and justify airborne software and FPGA/board-level hardware for certification, including tool qualification and Integrated Modular Avionics (DO-297).
Who Will Benefit
Embedded/firmware engineers, avionics systems/software/hardware engineers, certification leads and project managers who must deliver safety-critical airborne software or hardware that complies with DO-178C/DO-254 and related guidance.
Level: Advanced — Prerequisites: Practical experience with embedded software or digital hardware development, familiarity with requirements-development and verification concepts, and a basic understanding of avionics system development (ARP4754A helpful but not required).
Key Takeaways
- Plan certification activities that satisfy DO-178C and DO-254 objectives and map lifecycle artifacts to compliance evidence.
- Define and execute verification strategies (reviews, tests, structural coverage such as MC/DC) and produce traceable verification records.
- Prepare and justify tool qualification cases per DO-330 and integrate qualified/unqualified tools into your development flow.
- Apply DO-254 practices to airborne hardware (FPGAs, ASICs, board-level devices) and align hardware and software lifecycle processes.
- Design certification plans for Integrated Modular Avionics (DO-297) including partitioning, integration, and evidence required for system-level certification.
- Interpret and use FAA Advisory Circular 20-115C guidance to align program artifacts with FAA expectations for airborne software assurance.
Topics Covered
- 1. Introduction: Certification Landscape and History of DO-178
- 2. Overview of DO-178C: Objectives, Levels, and Lifecycle
- 3. Planning and Standards: Plans, Processes, and Data Requirements
- 4. Requirements: Development, Traceability, and Bidirectional Links
- 5. Design and Implementation: Architecture, Coding, and Configuration
- 6. Verification: Reviews, Testing, Coverage, and Tool Use
- 7. Software Tool Qualification: DO-330 Principles and Qualification Artifacts
- 8. Hardware Certification: DO-254 Processes for FPGAs and ASICs
- 9. Integrated Modular Avionics and DO-297: Partitioning and Integration
- 10. FAA AC 20-115C: Interpreting FAA Guidance and Practical Compliance
- 11. Problem Areas and Common Findings: Lessons from Audits and Certification
- 12. Case Studies, Checklists and Templates: Practical Artifacts for Projects
- Appendices: Glossary, Standards Cross-Reference (ARP4754A/DO-278A), and Further Reading
Languages, Platforms & Tools
How It Compares
This book complements the DO-178C/DO-254 standards themselves by providing practical, seminar-derived guidance and templates; compared with broader safety texts (e.g., John McDermid's work on safety-critical systems) it is more focused and hands-on for avionics certification.
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