ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a summary of the document Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) document (RTCA DO) 178B, Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification, with commentary on the most common mistakes made in understanding and applying DO-178B. Advisory Circular 20-115B specifies DO-178B is an acceptable means, but not the only means, for receiving regulatory approval for software in systems or equipment being certified under a Technical Standard Order authorization, type certificate, or supplemental type certificate. RTCA SC-190/EUROCAE WG-52 was formed in 1997 to address issues that were raised by the industry and certification authorities in the course of applying DO-178B since its release in 1992. RTCA SC-205/EUROCAE WG-71 was formed in 2005 for the purposes of updating DO-178B. The primary reason for this update cycle has been to address industry concerns related to emerging technology including formal methods and model-based development.
