CertGATE

Every step of the certification process is aided by CertGATE. During development, it uses a library of patterns with data from the user to create Assurance Case Fragments: self-contained arguments for individual components or subsystems which may be linked to evidence artifacts, giving continuous feedback on certifiability strengths and weaknesses throughout the development lifecycle. CertGATE then enables assembly of may such fragments into an entire assurance case or performs other kinds of assurance case transformations through a domain-specific language (DSL) called the Argument Transformation Language (ArgTL). Assurance Cases maintained in CertGATE can be interrogated using our Assurance Case Query Language (ACQL), a mechanism for assessing assurance cases using a formal language extending the Object Constraint Language (OCL). During the review process, efficient user interfaces can support an inquisitive approach applied by reviewers and certifiers to determine requirement and objective satisfaction. The interfaces that generate ACQL statements sent to CertGATE are not part of the foundational CertGATE developed for DARPA. Finally, as the system is updated through its lifespan, CertGATE maintains its assurance case continuously, incorporating new evidence and fragments as changes are made.