PikeOS RTOS is a real-time operating system built on a separation kernel, designed for the highest levels of safety and security. Independent bodies can certify PikeOS against multiple standards, including DO-178C, IEC 61508, ECSS, EN 50128 / EN 50657, and ISO 26262.

PikeOS combines a modular, flexible, future-proof architecture with support across this wide range of certification standards. As a fully European solution, it cuts cost, reduces risk, and shortens full-system certification timelines for our customers. We also offer optional long-term support across our entire OS product line.

Why Safety-Critical Software Needs a Certified RTOS

Most software ships with residual bugs, and most users accept that. Consumer software rarely reaches perfection, and people have learned to live with the occasional crash as the price of fast-moving innovation.

Safety-critical systems can’t work that way. A failure in these systems can harm or kill people. Before software can control an aircraft, a chemical plant, or a vehicle, it has to prove it’s reliable. This is exactly where PikeOS is built to operate.

PikeOS RTOS and the DO-178C Certification Standard

DO-178C governs software used in airborne systems. It defines objectives for every stage of the software life cycle, ensuring the development of safe, reliable software for aviation. The standard sets five safety levels, based on how severe a failure’s consequences would be.

RTCA, Inc. originally published DO-178C under the title “Software Considerations in Airborne Systems and Equipment Certification.” The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accepted it as the certification standard and guideline for software safety. The European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) adopted the same standard as ED-12C.

How the Certification Approach Works

PikeOS uses a modular, hardware-independent certification approach wherever possible. Teams can extend existing certifications to new hardware platforms by adding certifiable components, such as a certifiable IP stack, ARINC 653 API, POSIX, math library, or filesystem. We qualify the entire tool chain, and we adapt our safety methods to fit each vertical market. PikeOS holds certifications against the latest industry standards.

We work closely with major homologation institutes, and both EASA and FAA accept our methodology. Our CertKit supports certification for the entire system, cutting time-to-market significantly. PikeOS ships with requirement documents at every hierarchy level, structured by objective IDs (requirements, test cases, and more), so customers can embed them directly into their own system or aircraft documentation for full traceability.

ARINC A653 (APEX) is the de facto standard for space and time partitioning in safety-critical avionics RTOS platforms. PikeOS certification evidence supports it fully.

What’s Inside the Avionics CertKit

The PikeOS Avionics CertKit bundles certification evidence for a specific PikeOS version and target hardware. Each kit includes:

• Software Accomplishment Summary for PikeOS
• Software Accomplishment Summary for the custom BSP, where applicable
• Safety Manual for PikeOS
• Safety Manual for the selected architecture
• Tool Qualification Report
• Tool Operational Requirements for customer-related tools
• Interface Specifications
• User Manual

Every CertKit comes with a frequently updated Safety Bulletin, covering known safety alerts and recent improvements. Customers can move to long-term maintenance for any certifiable product, and can also purchase a source code option for higher DAL levels.