FPGA Design & Verification for Safety-Critical Aerospace Systems

In aerospace, embedded electronic systems must meet extremely demanding safety and reliability requirements. FPGA technologies sit at the core of many avionics functions and require rigorous development and verification to ensure certification compliance. T&S supported a major aerospace embedded systems company in the development and verification of FPGA components for a next-generation aircraft program operating under DO-254 DAL-A constraints.

Client context

The client was developing advanced avionics systems integrating multiple communication and control functions. The program required strong FPGA engineering capabilities together with a high level of verification maturity to guarantee system reliability, with strict traceability and certification-compliant documentation maintained throughout the FPGA lifecycle.

Business challenges

• Develop FPGA functions covering multiple avionics interfaces and protocols
• Maintain strict traceability and produce DO-254-compliant documentation
• Support several intermediate deliveries within ambitious project timelines
• Guarantee verification quality and integration stability across the full FPGA lifecycle

The T&S solution

T&S provided FPGA design and verification engineers to reinforce the client's teams during key phases of the program. On the design side, the work covered requirements analysis, VHDL implementation, synthesis, timing analysis and bitstream generation. On the verification side, T&S developed test procedures and VHDL testbenches, ran RTL and post-layout simulations, analysed code coverage and supported debugging during integration. The mission also included board-level validation, technical reviews and documentation support to ensure alignment with DO-254 certification requirements.

Technologies & expertise

• VHDL
• Libero
• QuestaSim
• Synergy
• DOORS
• Rectify
• Trace32
• ARINC429
• SPI
• EBI

Results & business value

• Successful execution of FPGA lifecycle activities under DO-254 DAL-A constraints
• On-time delivery of validated FPGA bitstreams
• Improved verification robustness and debugging efficiency
• Stronger integration support during critical project phases
• Reinforced certification readiness for safety-critical avionics systems

Conclusion

As avionics systems grow more sophisticated, aerospace manufacturers need partners combining technical expertise with certification-oriented execution. Through its FPGA design and verification capabilities, T&S supported the development of critical embedded systems while helping the client meet demanding aerospace quality and safety requirements.