NASA-HDBK-8739.23 W/CHG 1

Abstract

This Handbook will provide an overview of complex electronics, the design process, and assurance activities. It discusses: </span><ul> <li>Which devices are "complex electronics," and which are not.</li> <li>What each device is and examples of use on NASA projects.</li> <li>How electronics engineers design and program the devices.</li> <li>What assurance and verification activities can be used for complex electronics.</li> <li>Future trends in the design and assurance of complex electronics.</li></ul> <br>Additional assurance activities for complex electronics devices may be required in the future. While this handbook will not prepare you to perform those activities, it will provide you with a general understanding of the devices and the design and assurance activities. You will be able to "speak the language" when communicating with the hardware design engineers. <br><strong>PURPOSE</strong> <br>Complex electronics (CE) encompasses programmable and designable complex integrated circuits. "Programmable" logic devices (PLDs) can be programmed by the user and range from simple chips to complex devices capable of being programmed on-the-fly. Some types of programmable devices this handbook will address are: <ul> <li>Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)</li> <li>Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD)</li> <li>Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)</li> <li>System-on-chip (SoC)</li></ul> <br>"Designable" logic devices are integrated circuits that can be designed but not programmed by the user. The design is submitted to a manufacturer for implementation in the device. ASICs are an example of a designable device. <br>Development of assurance methodologies for complex electronics is lagging behind the pace of the technology. Complex electronics are commonly used within NASA systems, sometimes in safety-critical systems. Both software assurance and quality assurance engineers need to understand what these devices are, where they are used, and how they are designed. However, the development of assurance activities for complex electronics is lagging behind the pace of the technology. This handbook provides some general suggestions that, if applied, may increase confidence in the quality of complex electronic devices.<br>