Synthesis for DO-254 Design Assurance and other Safety-Critical Design Processes

This paper provides background information and also goes into detail on FPGA synthesis challenges and solutions in the DO-254 environment. The goal of DO-254 is to ensure that airborne electronic hardware works reliably as specified, avoiding faulty operation and potential functional hazards. DO-254 hardware requirements define "design assurance" levels ranging from Catastrophic to No Effect. Methodologies, tools, and flows for processes such as design synthesis for FPGAs must take DO-254 requirements into consideration if the end products are slated for aerospace applications.