DO-178C / ED-12C — Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification
Section 01: Organizations & Authorities
Definition
The primary guidance document for the development of airborne software, jointly published by RTCA (as DO-178C) and EUROCAE (as ED-12C). DO-178C establishes objectives for software planning, development, verification, configuration management, and quality assurance processes, organized by software assurance level (Design Assurance Level A through E, based on the safety effect of failure). Compliance with DO-178C is the universally accepted means of showing that airborne software has been developed with appropriate rigor.
Where This Shows Up
DO-178C replaced DO-178B in 2012 and introduced supplementary documents for model-based development (DO-331), object-oriented technology (DO-332), formal methods (DO-333), and tool qualification (DO-330). While DO-178C is not itself a regulation, it is referenced by FAA ACs, EASA AMC, and TCCA guidance as the accepted means of compliance for airborne software development assurance.
Primary Sources
The RTCA publication of the airborne software development assurance guidance.
The EUROCAE publication of the same guidance document.
FAA advisory circular recognizing DO-178C as an acceptable means of compliance.
Related Terms
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