First embedded TCP/IP stack certified for embedded development

Express Logic has announced that its high-performance NetX Duo TCP/IP stack is the first commercial embedded TCP/IP stack to be certified by SGS-TÜV Saar for embedded development in safety-critical systems. NetX Duo already boasts phase II IPv6–Ready Logo certification as well as IXIA IxANVL TCP/IP RFC validation. NetX Duo now has achieved the highest level of safety certification for the stringent International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61508 SIL 4, IEC 62304 Class C, ISO 26262 ASIL D, and EN 50128 SW-SIL 4 safety standards. This certification enables NetX Duo for use in the development of safety-critical IoT devices.

SGS-TÜV Saar, formed through a joint venture of Germany’s SGS-Group and TÜV Saarland, is the leading accredited, independent company for testing, auditing, verifying, and certifying embedded software for safety-related systems worldwide. The industrial safety standard IEC 61508 and all standards that are derived from it, including IEC 62304, ISO 26262, and EN 50128, are used to ensure the functional safety of electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic safety-related medical devices, process control systems, industrial machinery, and railway control systems.

SGS-TÜV Saar has evaluated the relevant parts of Express Logic’s modified waterfall development process for NetX Duo, with phase overlap and phase blending, to ensure that best development practices have been followed at these phases:

• Requirements management
• Design
• Implementation
• Verification
• Maintenance

Using an extensive test suite, SGS-TÜV Saar rigorously reviewed all testing and features of NetX Duo. The NetX Duo test suite, composed of a large number of application simulations, effectively performs functional “black box” testing over the entire NetX Duo TCP/IP stack. The testing exercises 100 percent of the generic NetX Duo C code — including 100 percent branch coverage. Express Logic’s NetX Duo Safety Manual documents these quality assurance measures, which enable developers to use NetX Duo in safety-critical software development for even the most rigorous Safety Integrity Level (SIL 4) and Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL D), according to IEC 61508, IEC 62304, ISO 26262, and EN 50128, without further qualification.

“This certification provides the most meaningful evidence of the exceptionally high quality of our NetX Duo product,” said William E. Lamie, CEO of Express Logic. “With this SGS-TÜV Saar certification, companies can simplify their certification process by using NetX Duo, save time and money, and reduce risk.”