DO-178C: Specifying Software Lifecycle Process Objectives
DO-178C (Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification) is the primary document by which certification authorities such as the FAA and EASA approve civil software-based aerospace systems.
Today, it has become the de facto approach for demonstrating airworthiness in military avionics systems worldwide.
Released in 1992, DO-178B was a total re-write of DO-178 to move away from the prescriptive process approach and define a set of activities and associated objectives that a design assurance process must meet.
This update allowed flexibility in the development approaches that could be followed, but also specified fundamental attributes that a design assurance process must have, which were derived from the airworthiness regulations.
DO-178C doesn’t specify a specific software process. Instead, it creates a flexible development framework designed to lead to system certification by relevant authorities.
DO-178C specifies software lifecycle process objectives, along with activities for meeting those objectives. It also provides guidance for tailoring process objectives and activities to the level of safety the software must provide and for collecting evidence to show the process objectives have been met.
While DO-178C focuses on the software development process, it has implications at the system level, as well. In particular, the software requirements process is directly impacted by the system requirements process, which dictates the high-level software requirements.
Want to learn more? Tonex offers Advanced DO-178C Training Workshop, a 4-day course that focuses on the aspects of DO-178C guideline, as well as its supplementary standards.
You will be introduced to the philosophy, rationale, and history behind DO-178C and will learn about the methods and techniques required to develop and implement it in your organization.
Advanced DO-178C training workshop covers the main notions behind DO-178B/C avionics certification. It also reviews the differences between DO-178B and DO-178C.
For more information, questions, comments, contact us.