Aerospace Embedded Software Expertise
Safety-critical Software Resources

Belcan has a proven track record of providing safety-critical software resources on time – and on budget – without sacrificing quality. Experienced Belcan engineers have the expertise and skill necessary to deliver reliable software for your aerospace embedded system.

Efficiently delivering the highest quality software product is only possible with the right processes and people, which is why every Belcan location employs experienced program managers and uses CMMI-certified processes. To minimize cost and risk, we leverage industry-leading earned value management, tracking, and reporting systems. Belcan’s expert teams provide remarkable value across the entire product lifecycle, supporting the success of your next project.

In-House DER+ Consultancy Services

Navigating the details of DO-178 and other RTCA guidelines can be difficult without the right partner. That’s why we offer clients the option to liaise with a Consultant Designated Engineering Representative (DER). Your Belcan Consultant DER is an FAA-appointed expert that acts as an independent representative to approve or recommend technical data to the FAA Air Certification Office. This expert partner can help you understand how DO-178 applies to your projects across the entire software life cycle and support thorough mock reviews and inspections prior to the FAA certification assessment.

Our consultancy services are backed by impressive industry and regulatory credentials:

• In-house software Level A consultant DER for ACO coordination and 8110-3 approvals
• Experienced provider of training on the DO-178B/C document suite
• Participation in RTCA SC-205/WG-71 committee which created the DO-178C document suite
• Knowledge and background of the entire DO-178C suite including its supplements (DO-330, DO-331, DO-332, and DO-333)
• Co-chair of RTCA/EUROCAE Forum on Aeronautical Software (FAS)
• Monitoring application of DO-178C document suite
• Assessing suitability of DO-178C document suite for UAS

Planning

During this phase, we prepare the software’s initial functional specifications, establish the design process, and prepare work plans, cost estimates, and schedules for your embedded system’s various deliverables.

Our rigorous approach provides a comprehensive suite of planning documents that may include:

• Software development plan
• Software configuration management plan
• Software quality assurance plan
• Software verification plan
• Plan for software aspects of certification
• Tool qualification plan(s)
• Requirements, design, and coding standards

Requirements & Design

Challenges inherent in the requirements and design phase are often compounded by expedited timelines and complex functional requirements. Belcan experts can help you cut through the noise and keep your project moving forward by developing comprehensive software requirements specifications and design documents.

Our teams leverage their understanding of system requirements and interface control documents (ICDs) to clearly define your system’s intended functionality via software requirements specifications and software design documents.

Implementation

Belcan professionals implement software using the most advanced and cost-effective tools available—even if it means customizing a tool specifically for your purposes. Our versatile teams are experienced with structured and object-oriented programming languages and leverage real-time operating systems to provide safety-critical and mission-critical embedded applications. Each phase of development and implementation is accompanied by meticulous software verification procedures, including requirements, design, and code reviews to ensure the product we deliver you is reliable, well-documented, and easy to maintain.

Integration & Testing

Belcan’s integration methodology is built on a foundation of rigorous prior validation, verification, and testing procedures. Before delivery, we conduct formal testing for certification credit, verifying that the delivered software complies with its functional specifications. The utility of our testing process isn’t just restricted to Belcan-developed products. We can also serve as independent testers of systems developed by third parties, providing support for onsite testing and assisting in verification of compliance with national and international guidelines and standards.

Stage of Involvement (SOI) Audit Support

Belcan’s experienced team will work to ensure your stage of involvement (SOI) audit goes smoothly, offering expertise at every phase of the process. Although SOI audits are no longer mandatory, DERs frequently select them as their preferred review approach or use equivalent review principles. Belcan supports each stage of an SOI audit, including the planning SOI (SOI #1), the development SOI (SOI #2), the verification SOI (SOI #3), and the final SOI (SOI #4). Our leaders are well versed with the FAA job aid and are confident in their ability to lead audit events, attend in-depth discussions with DERs, and manage execution of any necessary follow-up activities.