DO-178 News

Montreal, Canada - September 1, 2009 - Presagis™, a leading provider of commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) modeling, simulation and embedded display graphics software, today announced that Presagis USA Inc. has acquired long-standing partner Seaweed Systems Inc. Seaweed, based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is a leader in embedded graphics solutions for the military and aerospace market, with noted expertise in the development of safety critical graphic drivers.

As a result of this acquisition, and the companies' existing development synergies, users will quickly benefit from the ability to develop state-of-the-art embedded graphical applications using a highly integrated solution. Moving forward, the combined solution of both VAPS XT and the SeaWind line of OpenGL graphic drivers will deliver major time and cost savings to avionic developers especially when porting and optimizing for specific hardware platforms.

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March 11, 2009 - PresagisTM announced a solution stack based on Wind River's family of VxWorks DO-178B platforms which should allow the avionics industry to take a leap forward. This development platform helps developers mitigate risk and streamline the development of modern avionics systems. The cockpit avionics stack combines the avionics' industry-leading graphics development software from Presagis with Wind River's robust DO-178B certification real-time operating system (RTOS), providing a clear, low-risk path for technology investment when developing cutting-edge embedded displays. The combined platform is expected to reduce development costs, reduce project complexity and improve productivity for avionics designers.

VAPS XT-178 carries on Presagis commitment to deliver DO-178B qualifiable software

DASC Conference, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA - October 27, 2008 - Presagis, a leading provider of commercial-off-the shelf (COTS) modeling, simulation and embedded display graphics software and founding member of the DO-178B Industry Group, today announced VAPS XT-178. Scheduled for release in late 2009, VAPS XT-178 will be the company's next generation, COTS software tool for the prototyping, development, and deployment of DO-178B certifiable code for safety critical embedded applications in airborne software.

• DO-178B and DO-254, they explain, are intentionally written to be vague. The documents contain considerations, not requirements----but you won't get certified without them. To reach that goal, the authors offer practical advice acquired over two decades of certifications now flying aboard every major airliner and numerous military projects. "We don't teach regulations," they say, "but how to think like the FAA."

• They fill the book with anecdotes that show how many companies make false starts, waste time and break budgets. Each myth and misconception about DO-178B and DO-254 is dissected and debunked.. You'll also find the best way to get a project started (begin with the "big bang" or an "evolutionary" approach). There is even guidance on how to staff a project.

• After traveling the certification route so often, the authors have strong opinions, and they don't hold them back. For example; when should you argue with your government auditor, how to deal with a DO-178B Software DER (Designated Engineering Representative) and what are typical DO-254 cost metrics Then there's story of how one little comma (,) in the wrong place cost $125 million on a trip to Mars. You'll get a chuckle over DO-178B software that deteriorates into "science projects," or dealing with engineers who become "artists." There are suggestions on when to give your manager a raise. There is even a comparison of DO-178B and CMMI in this book.

• There's advice on which DO178 tools to use and what to avoid, the merits of different programming languages, what the "D" in DO-178B should really mean, when planning can be too good, why some managers get it right the first time, some the second, some the third (and when it's too many times). There's the sad tale of a Very Light Jet manufacturer who ignored the authors' advice about unacceptable software in redundant systems. The FAA rejected it and the company lost $10 million.

• This book is not a typical tutorial. Besides their software services, the authors were active trainers and they founded and ran the world's largest avionics services company. Between them, they've taught DO-178B/DO-254 to more students than all other seminars combined. Their wisdom can provide valuable insights to bring your project to a successful conclusion.