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DO-178B - Reference Center

The Reference for DO-178B Resources

The Esterel Technologies DO-178B Reference Center gathers a lot of useful information about the DO-178B Standard and lists all the related documentation and products that can be found on the Esterel Technologies website.


DO-178B Methodological Handbook

Efficient Development of Safe Avionics Software with DO-178B Objectives Using SCADE Suite™

This DO-178B Methodological Handbook addresses the issue of cost and productivity in the development of safe embedded software for avionics applications. Such projects, driven by the DO-178B guidelines, traditionally require very difficult and precise development and verification efforts. This handbook reviews the regulatory guidelines and then presents the optimization of the development and verification processes that can be achieved with the SCADE Suite methodology and tools. The effect of using SCADE Suite together with the qualified KCG Code Generator are presented in terms of savings in the development and verification activities, following a step-by-step approach and considering the DO-178B objectives that have to be met at each step.

DO-178B - Qualified Code Generators

DO-178B Development Process Using SCADE Suite KCG

The DO-178B qualifiable SCADE Suite KCG technology and methodology begins with the system requirements allocated to software from which we produce the formal software specification (software requirements). This creates a contract between the systems designer and the software architect. This contract enables SCADE to become a communication vehicle between these two functions and lays the foundation by which SCADE can be used as a signoff document.

More about DO-178B qualified code generation with SCADE Suite…

Optimized DO-178B Code Generation for Embedded Displays

SCADE Display KCG code generator features compact and efficient code generation of readable, traceable and retargetable ANSI C code for embedded display systems.

SCADE Display, like SCADE Suite, has been designed from the ground up to meet DO-178B requirements. SCADE Display KCG is qualified as a development tool under DO-178B section 12.2 for level A software. SCADE Display KCG qualification eliminates coding errors as well as the need for low-level testing, enabling fast and safe late changes in the designs.

More about DO-178B qualified code generation with SCADE Display…

DO-178B Design Process Consulting

Safety Critical Software Design Process Consulting

Esterel Technologies' DO-178B Process Consulting Services help our customers to set up a software design methodology and process in full compliance with the DO-178B standard and related qualification process. Such consulting activities include:

  • Presentation of the SCADE-based development process, from system requirements to actual software integrated on the target
  • Set-up of the SCADE-based development process,
  • Analysis of existing flow and tools,
  • Set-up of low-level verification activities (compiler, linker) based on C samples and SCADE Compiler Verification Kit,
  • Contribution to PSAC redaction and review of certification documents,
  • Support with certification authority audits and reviews.

More about DO-178B services and consulting…

What is DO-178B?

DO-178B defines the guidelines for development of aviation software

The avionics industry requires that safety critical software be assessed according to strict certification authority1 guidelines before it may be used on any commercial airliner. DO-178B is the current version of DO178, described in the Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification RTCA/DO-178B Document. DO-178B are guidelines used both by the companies developing airborne equipment and by the certification authorities.

DO-178B/ED-12 was first published in 1992 by RTCA and EUROCAE (a non-profit organization addressing aeronautic technical problems). It was written by a group of experts from aircraft and aircraft equipment manufacturing companies and from certification authorities. It provides guidelines for the production of software for airborne systems and equipment. The objective of the guidelines is to ensure that software performs its intended function with a level of confidence in safety that complies with airworthiness requirements.

DO-178B guidelines specify:

  • Objectives for software life-cycle processes.
  • Description of activities and design considerations for achieving those objectives.
  • Description of the evidence indicating that the objectives have been satisfied.

DO-178B Development assurance levels

DO-178B defines five Development Assurance Levels:

  • Level A: Catastrophic failure condition for the aircraft (e.g., aircraft crash).
  • Level B: Hazardous/severe failure condition for the aircraft (e.g., several persons could be injured).
  • Level C: Major failure condition for the aircraft (e.g., flight management system could be down, the pilot would have to do it manually).
  • Level D: Minor failure condition for the aircraft (e.g., some pilot-ground communications could have to be done manually).
  • Level E: No effect on aircraft operation or pilot workload (e.g., entertainment features may be down).

DO-178B Records

  • Software Verification Results (SVR)
  • Problem Reports
  • Software Configuration Management Records
  • Software Quality Assurance Records

DO-178C: The Next Generation

DO-178C is the version of DO-178 succeding to the version B currently applied. In the person of Bernard Dion, Esterel Technologies is member of the Working Group defining it.

DO-178C WG Executive Committee

  • J. Krodel (Pratt & Whitney) & G. Ladier (Airbus), Co-chairs
  • M. DeWalt (CSI) & R. Hannan (Sigma Associates), Secretaries

Seven DO-178C Sub-Groups

  • SG1 - Editorial
  • SG2 - Issues & Rationale
  • SG3 - Tool Qualification
  • SG4 - Model-Based Design and Verification
  • SG5 - Object-Oriented Technology
  • SG6 - Formal Methods
  • SG7 - Safety

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