IP core gains DO-254 certification

Actel's ProASIC3 A3P1000 devices, featuring Barco's BA511 ARINC 429 IP core, were selected for a total of four DO-254 certified implementations in commercial aviation programmes, including two at the highest design assurance level (DAL-A), and two at the second highest level (DAL-B).

'In contrast to SRAM-based FPGAs, Actel's ProASIC3 FPGAs have inherent low power consumption and are immune to neutron-induced configuration upsets, also known as firm errors,' said Ken O'Neill, Actel director of high reliability product marketing.

'The selection of ProASIC3 FPGAs for use in safety-critical commercial avionics programmes underscores their high reliability.' DO-254 is a design assurance guideline intended to ensure that commercial aircraft avionics systems are designed in a manner consistent with the safety-critical nature of the application.

The criticality of a design is assessed in terms of its design assurance level.

There are five DAL categories, with A being the most safety-critical.

DO-254 certification is required on all major aircraft programmes currently in development, for example, Airbus A350, Boeing 787 and retrofits to B747 and B777 aircrafts.

ARINC-429 is an industry-standard communications interface used in the commercial avionics industry for handling command and control signals between electronic systems on board commercial aircraft.