HCELL Engineering will provide complete DO-254 certification for the safety-critical Nios II embedded processor, including source code and documentation such as a PHAC-plan for hardware certification, a hardware design document (HDD) and a hardware accomplishment summary (HAS). Airborne electronic hardware designers complying with the DO-254 standard can leverage this soft processor core while minimizing obsolescence in systems that typically have long life cycles. The safety-critical Nios II embedded processors are implemented within Altera’s portfolio of Cyclone® and Stratix® FPGAs and HardCopy® ASICs.
Altera and HCELL Engineering worked closely with Thales Aerospace to validate this safety-critical version of the Nios II embedded processor within its latest avionics system. Jérôme Papineau, product manager at Thales Aerospace, commented, “We worked with Altera and HCELL Engineering since the beginning of our project to ensure Altera’s embedded processor core meets the safety standards of the European Aviation Safety Agency. The Nios II soft processor provides us with a compelling solution that meets our performance and system requirements, while allowing us to manage system obsolescence. With its DO-254 certification, the Nios II embedded processor can be integrated into our system with confidence.”
Lionel Burgaud, DO-254 Users Group founder and chairman, added, “Altera has been a valuable member of the DO-254 Users Group since its inception in 2004. Altera and HCELL Engineering have made all the necessary efforts to understand the objectives and requirements of DO-254 in order to deliver a safety-critical version of the Nios II embedded processor.”
Altera’s Nios II embedded processor is a configurable, 32-bit FPGA-based soft microprocessor used in a wide variety of applications and end markets, including military, aerospace and avionics. The Nios II processor provides a high-performance, low-cost and flexible microprocessor core that is capable of meeting customers’ unique demands. The processor core allows users to target a range of silicon, including CPLDs, FPGAs and HardCopy ASICs, covering nearly every customer’s cost and performance needs.
“Altera’s Nios II embedded processor is one of the most versatile embedded processors available, offering attractive features and high performance,” said Majed Halila, managing director, HCELL Engineering. “As a result, the Nios II embedded processor enables engineers to avoid hardware obsolescence and get to market quickly, making it an ideal solution to use in avionics systems.”
“The Nios II embedded processor provides an ideal solution to replace microcontrollers and microprocessors used in commercial avionics and military applications,” said Karl-Heinz Gatterer, European military and aerospace marketing manager, Altera Corporation. “As a result of our work with HCELL Engineering over the past year, customers are now ready to leverage our embedded processor in their safety-critical avionics systems.”
Availability
The DO-254-certifiable, safety-critical version of the Nios II embedded processor is available and supported by HCELL Engineering. For more information, contact an HCELL Engineering sales representative or visit www.hcell-engineering.com. For more information about the DO-254 Users Group and initiative, visit www.do254.com, and for more information about Altera’s DO-254 Global Partner Network, visit http://www.altera.com/end-markets/military-aerospace/do-254/mil-do-254 .html. (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)
About HCELL Engineering
HCELL Engineering provides solutions and consulting services for safety-critical embedded-system applications targeting avionics, industrial and automotive markets. HCELL Engineering has expert knowledge on complex soft IP and custom design development according to the design assurance guidance for airborne electronics hardware, RTCA DO-254 up to DAL A, targeting FPGA and ASIC technologies. Further information is available on the HCELL Engineering website at www.hcell-engineering.com.
About Altera
Altera programmable solutions enable system and semiconductor companies to rapidly and cost-effectively innovate, differentiate and win in their markets. Find out more at www.altera.com.
Altera, The Programmable Solutions Company, the stylized Altera logo, specific device designations and all other words that are identified as trademarks and/or service marks are, unless noted otherwise, the trademarks and service marks of Altera Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. All other product or service names are the property of their respective holder.
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