Using assertions to satisfy DO-254 elemental analysis

▓ Code coverage as a verification completeness metric toward Elemental Analysis has limitations — ABV, when used properly, can provide significantly better metrics — ABV can be used to identify and check corner case scenarios within the design, thus better ensuring they have been stressed during simulation, and the design responded correctly ▓ ABV can directly measure concurrent events, providing a better verification completeness metric than code coverage alone ▓ ABV can be used create "virtual testpoints" in the design record — Can be used to either directly or almost-directly observe correct behavior in the device by extracting output data to infer whether an internal point is working correctly. ▓ Additional research is needed before declaring ABV can or should be the only metric toward Elemental Analysis — But, this paper should provide an excellent starting point enabling conversations between industry and certification officials