TECHNOLOGY

ARPTool — Model-Based Systems Engineering Platform

SIL3’s purpose-built MBSE platform unifies requirements, architecture, safety analysis, and test management across the full engineering lifecycle — supporting DO-178C, DO-254, IEC 61508, and ARP-4754A development programmes.

ARPTool MBSE platform

Core Capabilities

ARPTool manages the full engineering lifecycle in a single database — from the first customer requirement through to final verification and documentation.

Capabilities
Requirements Traceability
Bidirectional trace from customer requirements through system specifications, hardware design, firmware, and test cases. Full coverage matrix with gap detection.
Architecture & Diagrams
Functional chains, system architecture, physical architecture, state machines, and fault trees — all generated from and linked to live specification data.
Safety Analysis
FHA, PSSA, SSA, FMEDA, SIL assignment, and criticality matrix (Likelihood × Severity). Integrated with IEC 61508 hardware lifecycle and DO-254 assurance.
Test Management
Define test environments and architectures, author unit test specifications, track execution results, and automatically trace every result back to a requirement.
Document Generation
Automated system requirements documents, ICDs, safety reports, test specifications, and standard checklists — all produced from a single live model.
Multi-Domain Support
Manage firmware (DO-178C), hardware (DO-254), systems (ARP-4754A), connectors, PDN, and control system designs within one unified project database.

Full Lifecycle from Customer Requirement to V&V

ARPTool maps every engineering artefact to a V-model stage — from customer requirements and system design through implementation, integration testing, and final verification. Each stage is traceable, auditable, and linked forward and backward across the model.

Customer Requirements
Stakeholder needs formalised and traced
Verification & Validation
All requirements satisfied and traced
System Design
Architecture & functional allocation
Integration Testing
System behaviour against architecture
Detailed Design
HLR / LLR authoring & safety tagging
Unit & Module Testing
Test cases linked to LLR & HLR
Implementation
Code & Hardware
← DefineVerify →
Customer Requirements
Capture and formalise stakeholder needs. Traceability established from the first record.
System Design
Allocate functions to hardware and software. Architecture diagrams linked to specifications.
Detailed Design
HLR and LLR authoring with safety level tagging, derivation links, and design notes.
Integration & Verification
Test environments, test cases, and execution results all traceable back to originating requirements.

How ARPTool Differs from Commercial Tools

Purpose-built for safety-critical hardware and firmware development — not adapted from a generic requirements management platform.

Integrated Lifecycle
Most systems engineering tools address only one part of the lifecycle. ARPTool spans requirements → architecture → safety analysis → firmware design → testing → document generation in a single unified model — no data migration between separate tools.
SIL3 Process DNA
Built-in templates enforce SIL3’s proven engineering processes for DO-178C, IEC 61508, and ARP-4754A — without imposing generic workflows or requiring customisation of a third-party platform.
Cross-Project Traceability
Link specifications seamlessly across system-level, PCB, firmware, and supplier projects in a single shared database. Changes propagate; coverage gaps surface immediately in the traceability matrix.

Standards Support

ARPTool is structured around the artefact and traceability requirements of major safety and airworthiness standards.

DO-178C
Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment. ARPTool manages software HLR/LLR authoring, traceability, and test case coverage for DAL A through DAL D.
DO-254
Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne Electronic Hardware. Hardware lifecycle documentation, FMEDA integration, and design assurance artefacts managed within the same model.
IEC 61508
Functional Safety of E/E/PE Systems, SIL 1–3. Safety analysis (FHA, FMEDA), SIL assignment, systematic capability, and hardware fault metrics tracked end-to-end.
ARP-4754A
Guidelines for Development of Civil Aircraft and Systems. System-level development assurance, functional hazard assessment, and allocation of development assurance levels.
ARP-4761
Guidelines and Methods for Conducting the Safety Assessment Process. SSA, PSSA, FTA, and FMEA artefacts maintained alongside requirements in the ARPTool model.
Availability

ARPTool is not currently available for external sale.

SIL3 has been using ARPTool internally for many years across aerospace, industrial, and safety-critical programmes. We are steadily preparing the platform for external release. This page demonstrates the tool’s capabilities as that work progresses.