DO-254 Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne Electronic Hardware

By Dilara Aksakboğa

HSB Solutions Avionics & Systems Engineering Team

🚀🛠Insights on navigating the certification journey for DO-254 compliant hardware development!

Did you know that DO-178, Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification, was established and adopted years before DO-254 became mandatory for electronic hardware? Unlike DO-178C, which has undergone several version upgrades, DO-254 remains relatively unchanged, lacking the same level of maturity of DO-178C.

The emergence of DO-254 was actually driven by a pressing need within the industry. Many equipment manufacturers attempted to shift their system functionality from software to hardware to avoid the rigorous certification process of DO-178C. Additionally, the terminology, concepts, and processes established by DO-178 heavily influenced hardware

development within the community, thus leading to the emergence of DO-254.

One of the challenges with DO-254 lies in its vague definitions and requirements for simple and complex hardware items, as well as the requirements for different assurance levels. This makes it daunting for companies to navigate without expert guidance. Experience in this domain is valuable, helping to streamline processes and ensure compliance with the stringent standards.

Moreover, the involvement of certification authority varies based on the complexity and the design assurance level of the hardware item. This also results in differences in SOI timings, underlining the critical role of meticulous planning in the certification journey.

Navigating the DO-254 certification process demands expertise and a meticulous approach. As the industry continues to evolve, staying informed and leveraging professional support is key to success! Let's ensure your hardware development meets the highest standards of safety and reliability together. We encourage you to contact us if you and your company are in need of support for DO-254 compliant hardware development!🌟

#DO254 #AviationCompliance #HardwareDevelopment