Case Study: Korea Aerospace Research Institute achieves DO-178C-compliant AFCS software and 50% faster updates with MathWorks Model-Based Design

Korea Aerospace Research Institute Adopts Model-Based Design to Develop DO-178C-Compliant Control Law Software

The Korea Aerospace Research Institute adopted Model-Based Design with MathWorks to develop DO-178C–compliant control law software for a helicopter automatic flight control system (AFCS). With no prior experience in Model-Based Design or DO-178C, KARI engaged MathWorks Consulting Services and used MATLAB, Simulink, and Embedded Coder to move from hand‑coding and manual testing to an automated, auditable development process.

MathWorks consultants deployed an automated environment (including Simulink Test, Simulink Check, and Embedded Coder) for modeling, closed‑loop simulation with fault injection, code generation, and requirements‑based testing, enabling 100% test coverage of submodels. As a result—enabled by MathWorks—KARI cut software modification time by almost 50%, reduced defects by eliminating hand‑coding misunderstandings, automated DO‑178C verification, and progressed toward hardware‑in‑the‑loop testing, audit, and flight trials.

Korea Aerospace Research Institute

Youngshin Kang

Principal Researcher