Tackling FPGA Certification. For companies that must certify field-programmable gate array semiconductors (FPGA) for flight use, the certification process can feel a bit overwhelming.

CMMI Training Tips. Last year, AVISTA Incorporated achieved a Capability Maturity Model® Integration (CMMI) Maturity Level 5 appraisal and we learned a few things along the way. To make CMMI process improvement successful, training should not be neglected.

Cool Tools for the New Year. As far as New Year's resolutions go, many people tend to pick things like losing weight, living healthier and improving their finances. Since AVISTA specializes in program management, we know a thing or two about keeping organized.

AVISTA Supports Military Communications Project. Last month, AVISTA completed strategic DO-178B work on a new satellite communications system for an important military aircraft.

AVISTA Brain Candy. We think safety-critical software engineering is serious work, but we also like a good laugh. In 2008, we continue our cartoon series from Mark Anderson, poking fun at some of the particulars of software development and office life in general.

January 2008

A New Year, and New Opportunity
Happy New Year! We're looking forward to another great business year here at AVISTA. There will be a lot of events and issues to watch during 2008, including the first flight of the 787, work on the A350XWB program, the impact of elections and exchange rates on business, as well as more exciting technologies coming to market. One continued issue that we expect will come to the forefront this year is the staffing challenges facing software development for avionics, medical devices and military applications.

With more than 20 years in the outsourced services business, we know the challenges companies face in project management, software development and systems engineering. Outsourcing continues to be a hot topic in the avionics industry. This year will be no exception. However, with more companies having experienced internal- and external-sourcing challenges, we see an opportunity for companies to move to a new model—smart-sourcing.

Smart-sourcing is a better way to focus on internal core competencies, while taking advantage of external expertise in the optimal way. Outsourcing isn't simple, and it shouldn't be treated as a commodity. It really doesn't work to send off work and wait until it is complete—the out of sight, out of mind approach. Smart-sourcing means building value through collaboration and accountability with your outsourced partner—leading to a relationship of trust. This is a philosophy we've always adhered to here at AVISTA.

Transparency, communications, quality and effective program management are key elements in a successful smart-sourcing arrangement. Managing programs well is a critical skill-set for your partner. Whether you select AVISTA or another firm to assist you with your projects this year, we want to help you work smarter, so we'll be talking more about smart-sourcing this year.

We look forward to keeping in touch with you this year, and talking more about this and other hot topics for 2008.

Jim Schneller
President
AVISTA Incorporated

Tackling FPGA Certification

For companies that must certify field-programmable gate array semiconductors (FPGA) for flight use, the certification process can feel a bit overwhelming. The FPGA hardware certification is performed using the DO-254 guideline for electronic hardware, rather than the DO-178B guideline used for software certification. Even so, there are similarities between testing for DO-178B and DO-254 hardware certification—such as the level of criticality (A through E).

Since most FPGAs are considered complex, engineers must first perform a gap analysis to evaluate how their processes and data items stack up against the guidance in DO-254. To meet certain DO-254 certification criteria for development and test, an action plan should also be created. Portions of this plan can be captured in the Plan for Hardware Aspects of Certification to provide the certification authority with an early view into your approach.

Testing is one of the key aspects related to DO-254 based certification. There are multiple ways of developing tests for FPGAs, including manual testing and writing automated tests (in a scripting language or in a high level programming language such as C, or using a commercial product like LabVIEW® from National Instruments). These tests drive the defined inputs and read for expected outputs of the device being tested. AVISTA often writes automated tests using LabVIEW because of the ease and speed of writing tests, the integrated hardware and software interfaces available, and the supported and stable hardware.

Recently, AVISTA was tasked with certification for a number of FPGA devices. In one project, the programming logic blocks were broken into common functional groupings and reprogrammed into separate FPGA units. The team used LabVIEW software and hardware to drive specific logic into the FPGA and to read the resulting effects. Each FPGA and functionally equivalent software was verified to ensure identical end-results. The driving force behind this project was to quickly develop the test environment, and to break apart the logical functions so that all possible logic combinations could be tested.

Learn more about FPGA testing and how AVISTA can help your organization. Email us at avista@avistainc.com.

Back to Top

CMMI Training Tips

Last year, AVISTA Incorporated achieved a Capability Maturity Model® Integration (CMMI) Maturity Level 5 appraisal. Through this process there were a number of insights and lessons learned. When it comes to CMMI, most people focuses on the process aspect. However, to make it successful, training should not be neglected or developed too late.

Training leads to expert knowledge and institutionalization. A well-planned training program reduces retraining, corrective action, and, most importantly, it reduces risk at appraisal time. It is important to get a training infrastructure in place first, and get the right stakeholders involved, as well as support from management to ensure it is a priority. As you're planning training activities, it is good to understand how training affects, and is effected, by budget and schedule requirements.

Within the training infrastructure, there are three key parts to create: the evaluation measurement system, effectiveness measurement system, and tracking system. The evaluation system measures how well the training was performed. Effectiveness measures how well the student learned the material. Finally, tracking helps manage the who, what and when of training for more efficient and effective management of training activities. Each of these plays an important role and will go a long way to ensure a cost-effective and results-oriented program.

For more tips and details on planning and executing an effective CMMI training program, please contact us at avista@avistainc.com to receive a copy of the recent presentation given by AVISTA at the CMMI Technology Conference.

Back to Top

Cool Tools for the New Year

As far as New Year's resolutions go, many people tend to pick things like losing weight, living healthier and improving their finances. Since AVISTA specializes in program management, we know a thing or two about keeping organized. Whether you're trying to meet a demanding project deadline, or just want to work more efficiently to get home in time for your kid's next ball game, here are a few cool tools and technologies you may be interested in reviewing.

Work Smarter - The productivity book Getting Things Done, by David Allen, has really caught on fire within the last few years. The productivity, or action management, method has especially been embraced by people working in technology-related jobs. In addition to the book, many companies are sending employees to training, or hosting training on-site. If you haven't heard about GTD, and are looking to get more done in less time, get an overview in this article from Wired Magazine: www.wired.com/techbiz/people/magazine/15-10/ff_allen?currentPage=all. Or just visit the source at: http://www.davidco.com.

Work Greener – Collaborating with colleagues is part of any work environment. But what if your team is spread out around the country, or around the world? Travel much? While you can use phone and email communication sometimes, or even social networking, wikis and instant messaging, sometimes face-to-face communication is critical. There are many new videoconferencing products that allow you to hold a face-to-face meeting without the travel. Say goodbye to the jerky, small pictures of old. New videoconferencing brings the realistic pictures and sound you already experience in high-end home entertainment systems. Learn more about Cisco's cool high def system here: www.efluxmedia.com/news_Cisco_Systems_Bets_on_Video_Applications_11767.html. Or visit their website at http://www.cisco.com.

Work Faster –If you have an ever growing list of ideas, tasks, or just lots of dates and details to remember, keeping on top of things can be a challenge. Often people remember 'to do' items or create that next great business idea while they are on the road. Since writing down notes or texting while driving is a really bad idea, try out Jott [link to http:www.jott.com]. Jott automatically converts your voice into email and text messages to yourself or others—anytime, anywhere, with any phone. You can easily capture ideas, notes to self, tasks, and more, all without using your keypad. Jott is currently in public beta, so give it a try for free: www.jott.com.

avista@avistainc.com.

Back to Top

AVISTA Supports Military Communications Project

Last month, two AVISTA experts presented at the Capability Maturity Model® Integration (Last month, AVISTA completed work on a new satellite communications system for an important military aircraft. At the request of the communications equipment prime contractor, AVISTA provided DO-178B guidance to all four companies involved and actively supported the prime contractor’s vendors who didn't have significant expertise with the certification standard.

The AVISTA team handled all the DO-178B documentation, software design, software requirements-based test cases, and software quality assurance guidance and support for the formal aircraft certification reviews. While the work was of a strategic nature, given the importance of the aircraft there was significant work involved with this project. AVISTA provided more than 1.5 staff years of work toward the project.

AVISTA's project management and DO-178B expertise is often in demand by companies that already have in-house software teams. If you're planning a project where outside experts can help your team better meet DO-178B requirements, please contact us at avista@avistainc.com.

Back to Top

AVISTA Brain Candy

We think safety-critical software engineering is serious work, but we also like a good laugh. Our cartoonist, Mark Anderson, pokes fun at some of the particulars of software development and office life in general.

Back to Top