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How to certify multicore processors - what is everyone asking?
Data Coupling Basics in DO-178C
Control Coupling Basics in DO-178C
Components in Data Coupling and Control Coupling
DO-278A Guidance: Introduction to RTCA DO-278 approval
ISO 26262
Data Coupling & Control Coupling
Verifying additional code for DO-178C
XPONENTIAL 2025
Avionics and Testing Innovations 2025
DASC 2025
DO-178C Multicore In-person Training (Fort Worth, TX)
Lay the groundwork for A(M)C 20-193 compliance
Multicore DO-178C planning document templates
MACH178 Foundations' template plans help you supplement your DO-178C or ED-12C plans to support meeting A(M)C 20-193 objectives when using the MACH178 workflow.
A template Plan for Multicore Aspects of Certification (PMAC) covers multicore timing aspects of certification in accordance with A(M)C 20-193 for software developed to DO-178C/ED-12C at Item Development Assurance Level (IDAL) A, B or C.
A template Multicore Software Verification Plan (MSVP) contains the plan for addressing the multicore timing verification aspects of A(M)C 20-193 objective MCP_Planning_1, as identified in the Plan for Multicore Aspects of Certification (PMAC).
Procedures to analyze your multicore platform and software
The procedures in MACH178 Foundations describe how to perform analysis activities with the MACH178 workflow. From Hardware Resource Identification to the Multicore Software Accomplishment Summary, they provide detailed support for meeting most of the A(M)C 20-193 objectives.
Procedures are supplemented with associated templates and checklists, the Multicore Software Verification Plan, and other documents, helping you to meet DO-178C traceability requirements.
Templates and checklists
Each procedure in MACH178 Foundations includes templates and checklists to ensure an efficient process throughout the project life cycle.
Templates are included for writing test cases, and formatting and summarizing results. Handy checklists help you review the quality of your analysis results.
White Papers
MACH178 Foundations includes white papers that provide guidance on various aspects of multicore DO-178C (A(M)C 20-193) certification.
This includes detailed guidance on topics such as choosing processors, RTOSs and software architecture, selecting interference generators and WCET analysis methods, and certification considerations when only a single active core is used.
Training
MACH178 Foundations comes with training to help you get started applying the MACH178 workflow to your multicore project.
This includes 5 hours of training from our specialist multicore team, and a free seat on our public multicore DO-178C training courses, which we run regularly in the US and Europe.
Product features
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MACH178 Foundations overview MACH178 Foundations provides a library of resources to support planning and implementation of the MACH178 workflow.Discover this feature -
Template plans Template planning documents for DO-178C, AC 20-193 and AMC 20-193 compliance.Discover this feature -
Procedures, templates and checklists Procedures, templates and checklists describing how to use the MACH178 workflow for A(M)C 20-193 compliance.Discover this feature -
White Papers White Papers with guidance on various aspects of multicore certification.Discover this feature -
Training Training to support your use of MACH178 Foundations and the MACH178 Workflow.Discover this feature
How MACH 178 supports A(M)C 20-193 compliance
A(M)C 20-193 Objective | Description | Customer role | RTOS/HW role | Rapita role |
MCP_Planning_1 | System description | Document in PSAC/PHAC | Early architecture evaluation | Early platform evaluation |
MCP_Planning_2 | List of MCP shared resources, active HW dynamic features | Document in PSAC/PHAC, how to verify in SVP | RTOS + HW information | HW characterization |
MCP_Resource_Usage_1 | Configuration settings | Incorporation of recommendations in PSAC, add HLR | Recommendations of mitigation strategies | Analysis and recommendations |
MCP_Resource_Usage_2 | Mitigations for inadvertently altered CCS | Document in PSAC/PHAC, verify and analyze | N/A | Architecture analysis, review, test |
MCP_Resource_Usage_3 | List of interference channels and verification methods | Review results, incorporate in PSAC, identify in HLRs, V&V methods in SVP | RTOS + HW information | HW characterization |
MCP_Resource_Usage_4 | In a worst-case scenario, it has been verified that the software's resource demands do not exceed those available | Review results, incorporate in PSAC, identify in HLRs, V&V methods in SVP | RTOS information | HW characterization Analysis and methods Verify and analyze |
MCP_Software_1 | WCET analysis of all SW components | Support in running tests, review results | RTOS Information | WCET analysis and results; we provide evidence on the execution time behavior of your code that takes multicore interference into account |
MCP_Software_2 | Data Coupling/Control Coupling analysis by RBT | Customer to define and perform | N/A | Tools & services |
MCP_Error_Handling_1 | SafetyNet | Customer to define and perform | Customer or RTOS | Review, test |
MCP_Accomplishment_Summary
| Showing compliance
| Incorporate results in SAS | Support
| Rapita to support evidence; we provide multicore timing evidence that you can easily include in your SAS, including traceability information and a summary of test plans, implementation and results |
Tool qualification
To use outputs generated by MACH 178 Tools for certification, you'll need to qualify the tools. R VS tools and Rapi Daemons are classed as Tool Qualification (TQL) 5 tools as per DO-178C. Qualification support is available for these tools:
- Qualification support is available for Rapi Test and Rapi Time, which have been qualified in multiple DAL A aerospace projects, through our DO-330 Qualification Kits and Qualified Target Integration Service.
- Qualification support is available for Rapi Daemons through our DO-330 Qualification Kits and Rapi Daemon Qualification Service.
Incremental assurance
Using MACH 178, assurance evidence can be developed incrementally and independently for the multicore platform and each hosted application, supporting the development of Integrated Modular Avionics.
The solution is designed to meet use cases for each of the avionics roles identified in DO-297/ED-124, whether you're a Certification Applicant, System Integrator, Platform or Application Supplier. The solution supports the needs of Certification Applicants and System Integrators by defining a consistent strategy for generating certification evidence across all platforms and applications.
A solution for A(M)C 20-193
MACH178 is a solution for meeting multicore DO-178C (AC 20-193 and AMC 20-193) compliance objectives. The solution is a combination of mature products and services designed to address the needs of A(M)C 20-193 compliance through an efficient, robust and reproducible DO-178C-compliant workflow.
The MACH178 workflow
The MACH178 workflow is a step-by-step workflow to achieve A(M)C 20-193 objectives for multicore DO-178C projects. The workflow is supported by DO-178C plans and procedures, which are available off the shelf for use in your DO-178C project.
MACH178 solutions
The MACH178 solution and workflow is supported by a range of products and services to support you on your compliance journey:
- MACH178 Foundations gives you access to plans, procedures, templates and checklists to apply the MACH178 workflow to your project, as well as white papers on specific multicore topics.
- MACH178 Tools support the targeted generation of multicore interference and the automated collection of compliance evidence during A(M)C 20-193 verification activities.
- MACH178 Services help you produce A(M)C 20-193 verification evidence for your multicore platform, as well as training and consultancy to answer any questions you have.
- The MACH178 Blueprint provides a platform that you can use to learn more about A(M)C 20-193 compliance and run multicore research and development projects with the MACH178 workflow.
For more information about each solution, expand the tabs below.
MACH 178 Foundations MACH 178 Tools MACH 178 Services MACH 178 Blueprint
MACH 178 Foundations is a library of plans, procedures, checklists and other resources that provide a solid foundation for engineering teams working on multicore DO-178C (AC 20-193 or AMC 20-193) projects, especially when following the MACH 178 workflow.
It includes the following documents to support your multicore compliance journey:
- Template plans for A(M)C 20-193 certification (additions to the PSAC and SVP)
- Procedures, templates and checklists to support using the MACH 178 workflow for A(M)C 20-193 compliance
- Training resources to help you get started applying the MACH 178 workflow to your project
- White papers to provide guidance on specific aspects of multicore certification
MACH 178 Foundations and the MACH 178 workflow are the culmination of tens of person years of work from specialist multicore hardware and verification engineers at Rapita Systems, making it an excellent stepping stone on your compliance journey.
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MACH 178 Tools ensure an efficient, robust and reproducible approach to A(M)C 20-193 verification.
MACH 178 Tools include the following:
- Rapi Daemons enable the targeted generation of traffic on shared hardware resources to generate interference during tests, so the impact of interference on platform and software behavior can be analyzed.
- Rapi Test supports writing and executing tests (including the application of Rapi Daemons) to analyze and verify software performance.
- Rapi Time supports collecting performance metrics including execution time and values from Hardware Event Monitors during testing, and analyzing the results.
- Rapi Task supports visualizing and analyzing software scheduling.
Rapi Test, Rapi Time and Rapi Daemons, which are used to automate MACH 178 processes, are classified as Tool Qualification Level 5 tools as per DO-330. Qualification kits and services provide the evidence needed to qualify their use in MACH 178 projects.
The following services support multicore DO-178C (AC 20-193 and AMC 20-193) compliance using the MACH 178 workflow:
- Tool Integration – this service ensures a robust integration of MACH 178 software tools into your platform and development environment so verification activities can be performed efficiently
- Platform Analysis and Characterization – this service supports the analysis of interference channels and characterization of their potential impact on specific multicore platforms
- Software Analysis and Characterization – this consultancy service supports your approach to meeting A(M)C 20-193’s MCP_Software_1 and MCP_Software_2 objectives
- Training – we provide a range of training to support your A(M)C 20-193 compliance journey and application of the MACH 178 workflow
- Consultancy – we can answer any further questions you have about A(M)C 20-193 compliance with specialist consultancy services
The MACH 178 Blueprint is an off-the-shelf platform that you can use to learn more about multicore DO-178C (AC 20-193 and AMC 20-193) compliance, and run research and development activities.
The MACH 178 Blueprint is based on an example multicore project on which A(M)C 20-193 compliance evidence has been produced using the MACH 178 workflow.
The Blueprint includes the following:
- Example DO-178C plans (PSAC, SVP) for the platform to cover multicore compliance and verification activities
- Example results from using the MACH 178 workflow on the Blueprint project, including completed checklists for the compliance and verification activities performed
- Software tools and project files that can be used to run select stages of the MACH 178 workflow on the Blueprint project, including writing and editing tests, and analyzing and exporting results
- Training to support your use of the MACH178 Blueprint
Example plans and results are instantiated versions of template documents available in MACH 178 Foundations .
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News & Blog
MACH178 Foundations supports A(M)C 20-193 compliance for DO-178C, ED-12C, MIL-HDBK-516C (AA-22-01) and related projects.
The MACH178 workflow is agnostic to multicore platform components and can be used on any multicore platform.
You can find a non-exhaustive list of some of the multicore platform components that Rapita Systems has worked with on our MACH178 Compatibility page.
Frequently asked questions
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How is MACH178 Foundations delivered?
MACH178 Foundations is delivered as a library of documents with a user-friendly front-end that helps you navigate through its contents. This makes it easy to find the documents you need to understand and execute the MACH178 workflow.
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How can I use MACH178 Foundations?
MACH178 Foundations was designed to help you produce compliance evidence for active multicore DO-178C projects. You can use the documents included for any number of certification submissions relating to the project or program identified in the corresponding license agreement.
You can also use MACH178 Foundations for R&D and to better equip your organization to prepare for multicore certification. If this is your aim, you may want to consider the MACH178 Blueprint, which is designed for exactly this use case.
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How can I execute the MACH178 workflow with MACH178 Foundations?
MACH178 Foundations provides procedures, templates and checklists that you can use to produce and deliver multicore DO-178C compliance evidence in alignment with A(M)C 20-193 objectives.
You can either implement these procedures yourselves, or take advantage of Rapita’s specialist multicore services to reduce your risk.
For best results, the MACH178 workflow should be followed using Rapita Systems automation tools, which are optimized for multicore DO-178C projects. This allows use of the template test procedures available in MACH178 Foundations, and supports the automated generation of results matching the results templates in MACH178 Foundations, ensuring efficient verification across the project life cycle.
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How is MACH178 Foundations licensed?
Documents included in MACH178 Foundations are licensed on a perpetual basis for use on the project or program identified in the corresponding Commercial Agreement.
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What can I expect to learn in the training?
MACH178 Foundations comes with the following training:
- 5 hours of introductory training to help you get started using MACH178 Foundations and to help you understand the MACH178 workflow.
- One seat on Rapita Systems’ public multicore DO-178C (A(M)C 20-193) training courses, which are delivered in Europe and the USA.
This should give you everything you need to get started. Additional training and consultancy can be provided on request.
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How can I get more support for my multicore project?
MACH178 Foundations lays the groundwork for A(M)C 20-193 compliance by providing a workflow that you can follow to produce.
This is further supported by tools including RapiDaemon interference generators, services including specialist multicore V&V services and training, and other products such as the MACH178 Blueprint.
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How can I learn more about certifying multicore software?
You can find a repository of resources to learn more about certifying multicore software on our multicore resources webpage.
We run public and private training courses on multicore certification. You can find a list of our upcoming public courses here, or get in touch to discuss private courses.
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Which AC 20-193 and AMC 20-193 objectives can MACH178 Foundations help me to achieve?
MACH178 Foundations provides template documents, procedures, templates and checklists to help you achieve the following AC 20-193 and AMC 20-193 objectives:
- MCP_Planning_1 and MCP_Planning_2 – Plan for Multicore Aspects of Certification template & checklist, Multicore Software Verification Plan template
- MCP_Resource_Usage_1 – Critical Configuration Settings Identification Procedure, template and checklists
- MCP_Resource_Usage_3 and MCP_Resource_Usage_4 – Procedures, templates and checklists
- MCP_Software_1 – Software Analysis & Characterization Procedures, templates and checklists
Rapita Systems can provide support for A(M)C 20-193 objectives including those not listed on this page through other elements of the MACH178 Solution.
For a detailed breakdown of how MACH178 solutions including MACH178 Foundations can help you achieve AC 20-193 and AMC 20-193 objectives, see this webpage.
