Best practices for developing DO-178 compliant software using Model-Based Design

Abstract

Model-Based Design with automatic code generation is an established approach for developing embedded control systems and is now commonly used on applications that must satisfy the commercial aviation software standard DO-178B. Model-Based Design enables engineers to create advanced embedded software systems using an executable model as the basis for design, simulation, and software verification and validation. The complexity of modern aerospace systems has led to an increased use of Model-Based Design across the full software development life cycle from early verification to implementation and system integration. Maximizing the benefits of Model-Based Design in the context of satisfying the objectives of DO-178B (and DO-178C upon acceptance by the FAA) requires a level of expertise that often takes years of hands-on experience to acquire.