AC 20-152
 FAA Publication | |
| Abbreviation | AC 20-152 |
|---|---|
| Year started | 2005 |
| Latest version | A 2022 |
| Organization | Federal Aviation Administration |
| Domain | Aviation safety |
| Website | FAA |
The Advisory Circular AC 20-152A, Development Assurance for Airborne Electronic Hardware, identifies the RTCA-published standard DO-254 as defining "an acceptable means, but not the only means" to secure FAA approval of electronic hardware for use within the airspace subject to FAA authority. Commonly, the DO-254 has been interpreted as applying to complex custom micro-coded components within aircraft systems with Item Design Assurance Levels (IDAL) of A, B, or C.[1][2] However, Revision A of this AC clarifies that AC 20-152() and DO-254 applies to all type certification of all electronic hardware aspects of airborne systems, including all electronic hardware that is not complex, that is, "simple electronic devices". Revision A also defines objectives in addition to those identified in DO-254; applicants choosing to follow DO-254 under the authority of AC 20-152A must also accomplish these additional objectives.
Specifically excluding COTS microcontrollers[3] (see AC 20-115()/DO-178C()), complex custom micro-coded components include field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), programmable logic devices (PLD), and application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), particularly in cases where correctness and safety can not be verified through testing alone, necessitating methodical design assurance.[4] Simple devices are those that are verifiable with testing alone, such that the FAA may agree that methodical design assurance is unnecessary.
For DAL D hardware, as long as the applicant follows DO-254, the applicant does not need to apply this advisory circular since the FAA does not expect to examine the life cycle data.[2][3] However, if the applicant chooses to follow other design practices for DAL D hardware (as permitted by this AC) the FAA will review the data.[5]
Revision History[edit]
| Revision | Year | Title |
|---|---|---|
| AC 20-152 | 30 Jun 2005 | Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne Electronic Hardware |
| AC 20-152A | 07 Oct 2022 | Development Assurance for Airborne Electronic Hardware |
References[edit]
- ^ AC 20-152, FAA, Office AIR-100, 2007.
- ^ a b Cary Spitzer; Uma Ferrell; Thomas Ferrell, eds. (2015). Digital Avionics Handbook, Avionics, Development and Implementation (3rd ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. p. 14-6. ISBN 978-1138076983.
DAL D electronic hardware may use DO-254 or applicable in-house design assurance processes.
- ^ a b AC 20-152, FAA, Office AIR-100, page 2, 2007.
- ^ "Simple Electronic Hardware and RTCA Document DO-254 and EUROCAE Document ED-80, Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne Electronic Hardware" (PDF). Certification Authorities Software Team Position (CAST-30). FAA. August 2007. Retrieved 2019-09-30.
- ^ ORDER 8110.105A "Simple and Complex Electronic Hardware Approval Guidance" (PDF). FAA. p. 1-1.
External links[edit]
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