HLS In DO-254 Workflow.pdf

The adoption of High-Level Synthesis (HLS) in safety-critical workflows, such as DO-254/ED-80, is challenging due to the need to demonstrate sufficient safeness. HLS is an automated process that creates digital hardware from algorithmic descriptions, and its use is growing in avionics companies to innovate and deliver products on time and on budget while adhering to safety standards. The paper describes the requirements and considerations for successfully using HLS within a DO-254 workflow, including the need for technical acceptance and education of certification authorities. The use of HLS in a DO-254 workflow involves writing SystemC/C++ code, performing design checks and functional verification, and synthesizing the code into HDL, which is then verified and incorporated into a larger system. The paper also discusses the challenges of using HLS in a DO-254 workflow, including resistance to new technologies and the need to manage and certify previously developed library functions. The Mentor Catapult HLS platform is presented as a solution for deploying HLS in a DO-254/ED-80 workflow, providing a productive abstraction level and automating the generation of production-quality RTL.