DO-297 Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) Training – DO-297 Certification and Integration of Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) Platforms and Modules Workshop by Tonex
Course Duration: 3 Days (In-Person or Live Virtual)
This comprehensive 2-day course provides avionics professionals with a detailed understanding of RTCA DO-297 , the key standard governing Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) development, certification, and lifecycle management. Designed for both civil and military aviation applications, the course dives deep into platform and module definition, partitioning, multi-stakeholder coordination, and certification strategy aligned with DO-178C, DO-254, ARINC 653, and SAE ARP4754A.
Participants will engage in interactive workshops, simulated labs, and role-based exercises to understand how stakeholders collaborate across the six DO-297 tasks. They will also practice defining partitioned systems, creating verification strategies, and handling change management across system updates and re-certification. The training emphasizes both theoretical grounding and hands-on application using real-world scenarios and tools.
Whether you are a platform or module supplier, application developer, system integrator, or certification applicant, this training will equip you with actionable knowledge to navigate complex IMA certification processes with confidence.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the purpose, scope, and structure of DO-297
- Define the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder involved in IMA systems
- Apply certification strategies for modules and platforms
- Analyze system architecture and partitioning for fault containment
- Work with configuration files and verification plans for IMA platforms
- Build compliant documentation for platform/module certification
3-Day Training Plan
Day 1: Introduction to DO-297 and Stakeholder Responsibilities
Morning Topics:
- Overview of Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA)
- DO-297 vs. DO-297 : What Changed?
- IMA Benefits and Design Principles
- Terminology: Modules, Platform, Partitions, Applications
- The Six Stakeholders and Their Responsibilities
Exercise 1 – Stakeholder Mapping Activity
- Use a modern UAV IMA use-case to map stakeholders, responsibilities, and document flows.
Afternoon Topics:
- Platform and Module Architectural Layers
- Partitioning Requirements (Time, Space, Fault Isolation)
- Inter-Partition Communication and Middleware (e.g., APEX Interface)
Workshop 1 – Platform Decomposition
- Break down a sample avionics system into its modules, platform, and application layers.
Day 2: Certification Planning and Platform Verification
Morning Topics:
- Overview of DO-297 Tasks (1–6)
- Task 1: Platform and Module Definition
- Task 2: Application Integration
- Task 3–6: System Integration, Verification, Configuration, Management
- Integration with DO-178C and DO-254
- Certification Artifact Requirements and Checklists
Case Study – DO-297 Certification Artifacts Mapping
- Trace deliverables from stakeholders to certification package using a helicopter IMA example.
Afternoon Topics:
- Assumptions and Agreements Between Stakeholders
- Change Management and Platform Reuse
- Fault-Containment Regions (FCRs)
- Impact of Change on DAL Levels and Verification Strategy
Workshop 2 – DO-297 Role-Based Simulation
- Role-play between Platform Supplier, App Developer, and Certification Authority to manage a design change in a certified IMA platform.
Day 3: Integration, Testing, and Final Certification
Morning Topics:
- System Integration Planning
- Verification and Validation Across Boundaries
- Platform Configuration File (e.g., ARINC 653 XML Format)
- Testing Requirements by DAL Levels (A-E)
Exercise 2 – Integration Interface Control Document Drafting
- Create an ICD between a newly developed module and the application layer.
Afternoon Topics:
- Safety and Certification Strategies for Modular Reuse
- Configuration Management and Version Control
- Interfacing with Certification Authorities
- Final Review of DO-297 Tasks
Capstone Workshop – End-to-End Certification Scenario
Participants form teams to:
- Define a platform and module configuration
- Assign stakeholder tasks and create responsibility matrix
- Develop a simplified certification and verification plan
- Present strategy and expected outputs for group feedback
Included Course Materials
- DO-297 Reference Quick Guide (PDF) and Cheat Sheets (PDF+Excel)
- IMA System Architecture Diagrams
- Platform and Module Requirements Templates
- Certification Plan Sample (editable)
- IMA Fault Tree Templates