A Framework for Loadable Airborne Systems

The software loading occurs when a new software version corrects previously identified errors to include new functionalities to airborne systems, such as those embedded in aircraft. The available literature has not yet scientifically addressed the characteristics of Loadable Airborne Systems (LASs). Although the RTCA DO-178 introduced the concept of field-loadable software, which is the possibility to update the software without the need to remove the equipment or system from its installation on the aircraft, the industry does not yet have an organized framework of reusable requirements and tests. The objective of this work is to present a new framework for LASs. This framework contains a set of reusable requirements and general test procedures for software loading, involving manual and automatic checks. We believe that our framework can help smaller companies, especially market entrants, to incorporate software loading capacity into system development. This work also includes the identification of threats involving safety and security.