Adding formal specifications to a proven V&V process for system-critical flight software

The process used to validate, verify, and test flight avionics control systems has produced software that is highly reliable. However, ever greater demands for reliability require new automated tools to improve existing processes. We used the Anna formal specification language and supporting tool set to develop a Test Range Oracle Tool (TROT) to automate the testing of equation execution. Our approach fits within the existing testing process and can increase the level of test coverage without increasing testing costs. The TROT approach introduces the use of formal specification languages and supporting tools to an existing industry program. This approach is being evaluated for expansion into other test support areas.