AC 20-152 explained

Development Assurance for Airborne Electronic Hardware
Year Started:	2005
Version:	A
Abbreviation:	AC 20-152
Domain:	Aviation safety
Website:	FAA

The Advisory Circular AC 20-152A, Development Assurance for Airborne Electronic Hardware, identifies the RTCA-published standard DO-254 as defining "an acceptable means, but not the only means" to secure FAA approval of electronic hardware for use within the airspace subject to FAA authority. Commonly, the DO-254 has been interpreted as applying to complex custom micro-coded components within aircraft systems with Item Design Assurance Levels (IDAL) of A, B, or C.^{[1] [2]} However, Revision A of this AC clarifies that AC 20-152 and DO-254 applies to all type certification of all electronic hardware aspects of airborne systems, including all electronic hardware that is not complex, that is, "simple electronic devices". Revision A also defines objectives in addition to those identified in DO-254; applicants choosing to follow DO-254 under the authority of AC 20-152A must also accomplish these additional objectives.

Specifically excluding COTS microcontrollers^[3] (see AC 20-115/DO-178C), complex custom micro-coded components include field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), programmable logic devices (PLD), and application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), particularly in cases where correctness and safety can not be verified through testing alone, necessitating methodical design assurance.^[4] Simple devices are those that are verifiable with testing alone, such that the FAA may agree that methodical design assurance is unnecessary.

For DAL D hardware, as long as the applicant follows DO-254, the applicant does not need to apply this advisory circular since the FAA does not expect to examine the life cycle data.^[2] However, if the applicant chooses to follow other design practices for DAL D hardware (as permitted by this AC) the FAA will review the data.^[5]

Revision History

History of AC 20-152!Revision!Year!Title

AC 20-152	30 Jun 2005	Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne Electronic Hardware
AC 20-152A	07 Oct 2022	Development Assurance for Airborne Electronic Hardware

External links

• AC 20-152A, Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne Electronic Hardware, FAA

Notes and References

1. https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_20-152.pdf AC 20-152
2. Book: Cary Spitzer . Uma Ferrell . Thomas Ferrell . Digital Avionics Handbook, Avionics, Development and Implementation . 3rd . . Boca Raton, FL . 2015 . 14-6 . 978-1138076983 . DAL D electronic hardware may use DO-254 or applicable in-house design assurance processes. .
3. https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_20-152.pdf AC 20-152
4. Simple Electronic Hardware and RTCA Document DO-254 and EUROCAE Document ED-80, Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne Electronic Hardware . Certification Authorities Software Team Position . CAST-30. FAA . 2019-09-30 . August 2007.
5. [FAA Order 8110.105|ORDER 8110.105A]