GPU Image Integrity Monitoring Functions with BuiltSAFE™

Image integrity monitoring is a mechanism used to independently check that any image produced from a complex programmable graphics processing unit (GPU) can be considered correct and consistent with the intended image output. Rapidly evolving graphics display generation technology from the commercial PC industry provides low cost and exceptionally powerful solutions for implementing ever more capable and complex display systems. As GPUs become increasingly complex, so does the associated driver and application code required to render an image on the screen. This growing code size and complexity is problematic, as the FAA and other international certification authorities mandate that software be designed and tested to the DO-178C guidelines for flight critical airborne equipment. Mercury has extensive experience developing DO-178C DAL-A certifiable image integrity monitoring functions suitable for real-time verification of the GPU in the Cockpit Display System, ensuring it accurately renders flight critical information for applications like Primary Flight Display in the correct screen location, color, intensity, and source data value. This approach minimizes the level of DO-254 data for the GPU, allowing the GPU driver and rendering software to be certified to a reduced Design Assurance Level, typically DAL-C. Our safety-certifiable solutions are delivered with proven DAL artifacts that streamline the certification process and reduce malfunction risk for airborne applications.