DMAP upgrades IPs compliant with the DO254 standard

MEYREUIL, FRANCE The picture is clear: avionics industry is becoming more and more depending of complex embedded systems. In particular, the needs expressed in the segment of the electronics are growing and require finding new means in the choice of implementation.

The needs of sustainable solutions to long-term (>25 years) a specificity of aeronautic market leads naturally to the desire to control the content of each system, particularly strategic components that are processor and their peripherals, but also associated functions such as communications interfaces.

Recent developments around FPGA devices can consider them as an industrial solution compliant with the requirements of the avionic industry while giving access to complex objects. The cost, time and skills needed to develop more and more complex systems require new solutions based on the integration of IP cores, it's the only way to optimize and rationalize this kind of project. In a core-based strategy reusing semiconductor IP cores is the most suitable response to the rigorous constraints involved in SoC and complex block design.

DMAP develops its own IP DO254 compliant thanks to close partnerships with providers of IP cores like the one recently announced with MoreThanIP. A partnership that will result in the launch of an IP Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbit/s and Fibre Channel compatible with the certification criteria of DO254.

Through a method of "reverse engineering" DMAP provides IPs to upgrade from existing source code. The life cycle of the IP is then reproduced by reconstituting all data and documents required by the standard design: configuration management, document management, progress reviews, evidence, traceability, etc..

From a technical standpoint, DMAP operates mainly on the design itself to make the IP more robust and secure, then the verification process. The brand will result in the delivery of a certification package that proves the ability of the IP to meet all the criteria of DO254. The DMAP‘s catalog of IPs DO254 compliant also offers a PCI Express and solutions compatible with the CAN bus and AFDX. DMAP’s ambitions go beyond the aerospace sector, where it already has customers such as Safran.

This expertise is readily transferable to other critical areas, i.e., those where a high level of reliability is required in the design process, such as nuclear, medicine or transportation. Through its expertise, advice and training, DMAP is increasingly sought by these environments.