Software and documentation reduces time to market and cost for next-generation avionics application development
SAN JOSÉ, Calif.—August 30, 1999—Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc., today introduced the embedded software industry's first certification package that supports use of a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) real-time operating system (RTOS) as the foundation for developing safety critical avionics systems.
The Software Certification Support Package consists of three modules—code coverage, code documentation, and certification assistance. These modules include the LynxOS® operating system kernel with an extensive test suite, verification plans, procedures and results documentation, and technical support services. The package enables developers of avionics software applications to significantly shorten the time and reduce the cost associated with certifying a complete system to the stringent safety requirements of the FAA's RTCA DO-178B standard.
"Lynx continues to add value for its customers far beyond the basic RTOS," said John Seaton, Lynx vice president marketing. "Certification is a tedious and exacting process in the safety-conscious aviation market place. This new product builds on our advanced development process and direct certification experience so customers don't have to start from scratch. Safety-critical applications demand the reliability only found in LynxOS. No other commercial RTOS supplier has matched Lynx' record of unsurpassed quality and reliability in its products or software development process."
The package is an outgrowth of Lynx' recent work with Aerospatiale of France in certifying the Future Air Navigation Systems (FANS), based on the LynxOS real-time operating system, used in the Airbus 320, 330, and 340 aircraft. Safety critical software systems used in avionics applications must pass stringent design process and design verification reviews before the software can be deployed in aircraft. The FAA's RTCA DO-178B "Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification" standard specifies the software design process, level of verification and documentation requirements needed to ensure a highly reliable software system.
The code coverage module satisfies the verification portion of the certification process. It contains documentation that describes the verification process, read-only source code for the LynxOS kernel, a test suite, and code coverage reports for the kernel. When coupled with the CodeTest™ coverage tool set from Applied Microsystems, the code coverage module allows developers to fully instrument the kernel and quickly verify the test coverage for their specific application.
The code documentation module includes the description of the LynxOS kernel, the design requirements for the software, and a description of the Lynx development process based on documents from the company's ISO 9001 software quality certification effort. The kernel documentation describes the software architecture, data structures, external interfaces, and unit level software elements. The requirements documentation contains the POSIX® standards used for the kernel design and other design information needed to trace design requirements to actual implementation. In addition to ISO 9001 quality documents, the development process documentation also includes the LynxOS configuration management procedures.
The certification assistance module makes the Lynx Engineering Services team available to customers using the package for consulting and technical support. The team assists customers with tasks such as software driver development, performance tuning, and any porting issues specific to the certification effort. It is also available for design consulting and technical assistance to guide customers as they incorporate the LynxOS into their avionics systems.
An ISO 9001 registered company, Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc. provides the foundation software for reliable and high-performance applications in telecommunications, data communications, avionics, automotive, office automation and process control systems. Lynx supplies embedded software products including scalable real-time operating systems, a software framework for high-availability systems, development tools and technical support worldwide. These products are based on such industry standards as POSIX, Java™ and CompactPCI to enable customers to leverage their investments in software and education. Lynx holds two patents for real-time software and has three patents pending. Founded in 1988, Lynx is a privately held company with offices in North America, Europe and Japan, with worldwide headquarters in San José, California.
LynxOS is a registered trademark of Lynx Real-Time Systems, Inc. Other brand or product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of the respective holders.
| Kirsten Long Director, Marketing Communications LynuxWorks, Inc. USA +1 408-979-4404  |
Dave Reddy Weber Shandwick USA +1 650-868-4659  |
Peter van der Sluijs Neesham Public Relations Europe +44 1442-879222  |
| Hamid Mirab Managing Director EMEA LynuxWorks Ltd. United Kingdom +44 208-906-9506  |
Elvia Soltero Weber Shandwick USA +1 408-685-0614  |
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