Computer Life-Cycle Management System for Avionics Software as a Tool for Supporting the Sustainable Development of Air Transport

Abstract

The article presents selected results of analytical and design works undertaken at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in the field of building a computer support and software lifecycle management system that is critical for flight safety. The aim of the work undertaken is to develop methods and carry out verification and testing in order to detect errors in the developed avionics software for compliance with the requirements of the DO-178C standard and its production, certification, and implementation on board aircraft. The authors developed an original computer system within the implemented requirements used in the construction and certification of avionic onboard devices and their software (among others, DO-254, DO-178C, AQAP 2210, ARP 4761, ARP 4754A). The conducted analysis involved three basic groups of avionics software development processes, i.e., software planning, creation, and integration. Examples of solutions implemented in the constructed computer system were presented for each of these process groups. The theoretical basis of the new method for predicting vulnerabilities in the software implemented within integrated avionic systems using branching processes is discussed. It was demonstrated that the possibility of predicting vulnerabilities in future software versions could have a significant impact on assessing the risk associated with software safety in the course of its lifecycle. It was indicated that some of the existing quantitative models for analyzing software vulnerabilities were developed based on dedicated software data, which is why actual scenario implementation may be limited. DO-178C standard requirements for the process of developing avionics software were implemented in the helmet-mounted flight parameter display system constructed at AFIT. The requirements of the DO-178C and AQAP 2210 standards were shown to be met in the example of the software developed for a graphics computer, managing the operating modes of this system.