Authority
RTCA
Applicability
Airborne electronic hardware, especially complex custom devices such as ASICs, PLDs and FPGAs used in certificated aircraft systems and equipment.
Status
Current
Plain-English Explainer
RTCA DO-254 provides development-assurance guidance for airborne electronic hardware. It is especially important for complex custom devices whose behavior cannot be completely verified by simple inspection or testing alone.
Electric aircraft depend on high-integrity electronic hardware in flight-control computers, power electronics, battery management, motor-control electronics and other safety-significant systems. Hardware assurance therefore sits alongside software assurance and environmental qualification in the certification evidence stack.
FAA AC 20-152A recognizes DO-254 / EUROCAE ED-80 and adds FAA-specific objectives and clarification for custom devices, commercial-off-the-shelf devices and circuit-board assemblies.
