Handbook for the Selection and Evaluation of Microprocessors for Airborne Systems

This handbook provides research information intended to help aerospace system developers and integrators and regulatory agency personnel in the selection and evaluation of commercial off-the-shelf microprocessors for use in aircraft systems. This handbook is based on the cooperative research accomplished by contributing members of the aerospace industry and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as part of the Aerospace Vehicle Systems Institute Microprocessor Evaluations Projects 1 through 5. The project objectives were to (1) identify common risks of using systems-on-a-chip (SoC) and mitigation techniques to provide evidence that they satisfy regulatory requirements and (2) evaluate existing regulatory policy and guidelines against the emerging characteristics of complex, nondeterministic microprocessors and SoCs to support the certification of aircraft and qualification of systems using these devices. Complex aircraft system development requires more robust consideration of system failure and anomaly detection, correction, and recovery. The safety net approach identified in this handbook also may provide a means to reduce the growing difficulties and costs of design assurance for highly integrated, complex, nondeterministic airborne electronic hardware and software within aircraft systems and reduce the labor burden for FAA regulation compliance and design assurance. The safety net approach documented in this handbook is consistent with current FAA policy and guidelines.