Software Verification Considerations for the ARTIS Unmanned Rotorcraft

Abstract

This work presents the processes and tools that were installed and developed to validate the ARTIS software and achieve compliance of an unmanned rotorcraft testbed with corresponding standards. A brief introduction to the autonomous guidance and navigation capabilities of our unmanned aircraft is given in order to illustrate the software complexity and practical integration challenges introduced by such functionalities. Our software development process is presented which is aimed at a practical balance between exhaustive testing and the rapid integration of new features. It features a greedy integration procedure that is aimed at the preservation of existing features and performances. Automated tests drive the development of our mission planning, mission management and sensor fusion systems. New research code can be integrated such that side effects on existing systems are minimized.