The Validation Suite Approach to Safety Qualification of Tools 2009-01-0746
This work gives an introduction into possible tool qualification approaches, and then proposes a generic approach to tool qualification using a Tool Validation Suite Approach. Here “tool” is usually used in the sense of “integrated code generator tool with target compiler”. Central to the Validation Suite Approach is the use of an Automated Test Environment with capability of automatic execution of large numbers of test cases.
The presentation also provides the results of an effort to systematically gather and structure all relevant requirements on a Validation Suite from existing and upcoming standards in a generic Validation Suite Requirement Catalogue ([5], attached after this article). The presentation provides examples of the various requirements and different requirement classes and explains the role of the requirement catalogue in the Validation Suite approach.
Further the contribution presents the steps according to this Validation Suite Approach to tool qualification which will lead to tool qualification and if desired certification. It outlines how assessment of a specific tool validation suite against the requirements may progress.
The remainder of the presentation describes the role of validation suite operation and maintenance activities and re-qualification of tools which have been previously qualified, and gives experience and status of the current work. The presentation is outlined in the following sections.
