What Is DO-178B?

DO-178B and DO-178C are aviation industry standards for software development in airborne systems. DO-178C is an updated version of DO-178B, incorporating modern software development practices. While DO-178B is process-oriented, DO-178C emphasizes a more flexible, risk-based approach to software testing.

DO-178B requirements traceability is the process of establishing and documenting the relationships between software requirements, design elements, and verification activities throughout the software development life cycle. It ensures that each requirement is adequately addressed in the design and implementation of the software and that corresponding verification tests are conducted to demonstrate compliance. This traceability provides transparency and accountability, enabling stakeholders to understand how each requirement is satisfied and verified within the context of the overall development process.

In DO-178B, Level A represents the highest criticality for software in avionics systems, requiring the highest level of scrutiny and testing. Level B is slightly less critical but still demands stringent testing and safety considerations.

DO-178B is a standard for software used in airborne systems. Quality assurance in DO-178B involves processes to ensure software reliability, safety, and compliance with aviation regulations.

CC1 (Criticality Category 1) and CC2 (Criticality Category 2) in DO-178B refer to the levels of criticality assigned to various software functions, with CC1 being higher criticality than CC2. These categories influence the level of scrutiny and testing required for compliance.