WHITE PAPER

DO-297 INTEGRATED MODULAR AVIONICS (IMA): UNDERSTANDING & COMPLIANCE

Many aircraft systems are moving from federated architectures to Integrated Modular Avionics architectures in order to reduce weight, and increase availability. DO-297 provides guidance for the developers, or contributors (software or hardware) to Integrated Modular Avionics systems. This whitepaper introduces you to the fundamentals of IMA, including the platforms, modules, and applications that provide avionics functions on aircraft.

The use of Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) is rapidly expanding and is found in all classes of aircraft. IMA is a shared set of flexible, reusable, and interoperable hardware and software resources that, when integrated, form a platform that provides services – designed and verified to a defined set of safety and performance requirements – to host applications performing aircraft functions.

DO-297 Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) “Development Guidance and Certification Considerations”, published in November 2005, provides the specific guidance for the assurance of IMA systems as differentiated from traditional federated avionics. FAA has recognized the document via Advisory Circular 20-170.

This paper identifies the major aspects of Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) and guidance for IMA developers, integrators, applicants, and those involved in the approval and continued airworthiness of IMA systems (DO-297). This paper also provides an overview of the role of participants in IMA development and compliance.