DO-254 Certification Guide
Coverage of CEH Design in DO-254
Table of Contents
DO-254 is a standard that defines the process for developing complex hardware that can be used in airborne systems. The standard provides guidance for the certification of complex hardware used in airborne systems, including commercial and military aircraft. One of the key elements of DO-254 compliance is the coverage of the critical elements of the hardware design, which is essential for the safe and reliable operation of the system. In this article, we will focus on the coverage of the CEH (Complex Electronic Hardware) design in DO-254.
What is CEH Design in DO-254?
CEH is defined as any hardware in the airborne system that contains programmable logic devices, such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and microprocessors. These devices are becoming increasingly common in aerospace applications due to their flexibility and processing power. However, their complex designs require extensive testing and verification to ensure that they meet the requirements of DO-254.
The coverage of CEH design in DO-254 is important to ensure that the hardware is developed in a safe and reliable manner. The standard requires that each CEH must have a clear and concise design specification that includes a detailed description of the hardware functionality, interfaces, and performance requirements. This specification is used to verify that the hardware design meets the required performance levels, and that any deviations are properly documented and addressed.
Coverage of CEH Design in DO-254
The coverage of the CEH design in DO-254 is a critical aspect of the standard. The coverage analysis provides a measure of the completeness of the design, and it ensures that all the required functionality has been implemented correctly. The coverage analysis is performed throughout the entire design process, starting from the requirements phase and continuing through the design, implementation, and verification phases.
The coverage analysis includes several metrics, such as requirement coverage, code coverage, and structural coverage. Requirement coverage ensures that all the requirements for the CEH design have been captured and implemented. Code coverage measures the percentage of the code that has been executed during testing. Structural coverage measures the completeness of the design, including the testability and controllability of the design, the observability of the outputs, and the fault coverage of the design.
To achieve DO-254 compliance, it is essential to ensure that the coverage analysis is performed thoroughly, and that the results of the analysis are documented appropriately. The DO-254 standard requires that the coverage analysis results be documented in the verification plan, and that the results be reviewed by an independent verifier.
CEH Verification and Validation for DO-254
DO-254 also requires that a comprehensive verification plan be developed for each CEH design. This plan should include the test procedures and coverage metrics that will be used to demonstrate that the hardware design meets the performance requirements. The coverage metrics should be chosen carefully to ensure that they adequately test the hardware design and provide sufficient evidence that the design is safe and reliable.
The verification process for CEH designs must be performed by independent verification and validation (IV&V) teams, who are not involved in the hardware development process. This separation of duties is critical to ensuring that the hardware is tested thoroughly and that any issues are identified and addressed before the hardware is released for use in airborne systems.
DO-330
DO-254 also provides guidelines for the certification of the CEH design. This certification process is a critical step in ensuring that the hardware is safe and reliable. The certification process involves the evaluation of the CEH design against the requirements specified in DO-254, as well as any additional requirements specified by the certification authority. The certification process must be performed by a qualified certification authority, who has the necessary expertise to evaluate the hardware design.
To aid in the coverage of CEH design in DO-254, the standard also provides guidance on the use of tools and processes that can help with the verification and validation of hardware designs. One such guidance is DO-330, which is a guideline for the use of software tools in the certification process. DO-330 provides guidelines on how to use software tools in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of DO-254.
DO-330 provides guidance on the qualification of software tools and the development of tool qualification plans. The guideline also provides a framework for assessing the reliability and effectiveness of software tools in the certification process. DO-330 is an important tool for the coverage of CEH design in DO-254 as it provides guidance on how to use software tools in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of DO-254.
Considerations for CEH Design Coverage
When designing a CEH for DO-254 compliance, it is important to consider several factors to ensure that the coverage analysis is accurate and complete. These considerations include:
- Requirement Traceability: Traceability from the requirements to the final implementation is essential for the CEH design coverage analysis. The design must be traceable to the requirements, and all the requirements must be implemented and tested.
- Testability: The CEH design must be testable, and the tests must be able to verify the functionality of the design. The design must include built-in test (BIT) capabilities to allow for in-flight testing.
- Coverage Metrics: The coverage metrics used for the CEH design coverage analysis must be appropriate for the design. The metrics must measure the completeness of the design, and must include requirement coverage, code coverage, and structural coverage.
- Independent Verification: The CEH design coverage analysis must be reviewed by an independent verifier to ensure that the analysis is accurate and complete.
Conclusion
The coverage of the CEH design in DO-254 is a critical aspect of the standard. The coverage analysis ensures that the CEH design is complete, and that all the required functionality has been implemented correctly. To achieve DO-254 compliance, it is essential to perform a thorough coverage analysis and to document the results appropriately. The considerations outlined in this article can help to ensure that the coverage analysis is accurate and complete, and that the CEH design meets the requirements of DO-254.
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