DO-297, Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) Development Guidance and Certification Considerations is one of the primary document by which certification authorities such as the
FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the largest transportation agency of the U.S. government and regulates all aspects of civil aviation in the country as well as over surrounding international waters. Its powers include air traffic m ...
and
EASA
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is an agency of the European Union (EU) with responsibility for civil aviation safety. It carries out certification, regulation and standardisation and also performs investigation and monitori ...
approve
Integrated Modular Avionics
Integrated modular avionics (IMA) are real-time computer network airborne systems. This network consists of a number of computing modules capable of supporting numerous applications of differing criticality levels.
In opposition to traditional ...
(IMA) systems for flight. The FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 20-170 refers to DO-297.
Along with
ARINC 653 ARINC 653 (Avionics Application Software Standard Interface) is a software specification for space and time partitioning in safety-critical avionics real-time operating systems (RTOS). It allows the hosting of multiple applications of different so ...
and
DO-248
DO-248C, ''Supporting Information for DO-178C and DO-278A'', published by RTCA, Incorporated, is a collection of Frequently Asked Questions and Discussion Papers addressing applications of DO-178C and DO-278A in the safety assurance of software ...
, the DO-297 standard guides "Safety of flight for
IMA systems" DO-297 provides specific guidance for the stakeholders, defining the following roles
* platform and module suppliers
* application suppliers
* IMA system
* integrator
* certification applicant
* maintenance organization
* certification authority.
The DO-297 standard formalizes the use of more powerful computing hardware to host multiple software functions of mixed safety-criticality. IMA produces benefits of reduced Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) by integrating into a single computing platform software functions that were formerly on separate (federated) computing systems. The standard describes how safety is maintained through the isolation provided by a partitioning environment, ensuring that independent functions cannot adversely impact one another's behavior.
History
The document was published by
RTCA, Incorporated
RTCA, Inc. (formerly known as Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics) is a United States non-profit organization that develops technical guidance for use by government regulatory authorities and by industry. It was founded in 1935 and was re-in ...
, in a joint effort with
EUROCAE
The European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) deals exclusively with aviation standardisation, for both airborne and ground systems and equipment. It was created in 1963 in Lucerne, Switzerland by a decision of the European Civi ...
, completed in November 2005. The lessons learned in certifying early approaches to IMA in commercial aircraft such as the
Boeing 787 Dreamliner
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is an American wide-body jet airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
After dropping its unconventional Sonic Cruiser project, Boeing announced the conventional 7E7 on January 29, 2003, ...
and the
Airbus A380
The Airbus A380 is a large wide-body airliner that was developed and produced by Airbus. It is the world's largest passenger airliner and only full-length double-deck jet airliner.
Airbus studies started in 1988, and the project was annou ...
helped inform the development of the standard.
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References
{{Reflist, 2
Computer standards
Safety engineering
RTCA standards
Avionics