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.
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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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