The FAA handbook on microprocessor selection and evaluation in airborne systems

Under the management of the Aerospace Vehicles Systems Institute (AVSI), the FAA initiated a project to study the safety concerns surrounding the use of complex commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) microprocessors and systems-on-chips (SoC) in safety-critical airborne systems. Additionally, several aerospace companies cooperated with the FAA in providing oversight, direction and technical contributions throughout the course of this project. The major product of this work is the “Handbook for the Selection and Evaluation for Microprocessors for Airborne Systems” to be published by the FAA as a set of recommendations for both regulatory personnel and systems manufacturers. This paper describes the technological trends occurring in modern COTS microprocessors and SoC that have prompted the FAA to better understand the implications of their use in airborne systems. This paper also briefly describes the purpose and structure of the Handbook and provides supplemental information regarding the evaluation platforms and analyses that were the basis for its recommendations.