Safety in Embedded Hardware Design
Functional Safety Management
Managing functional safety (FSM) is crucial for several important reasons. Initially, it oversees the complete machine safety lifecycle. Irrespective of the standards chosen, it is essential to establish a management plan to ensure consistent adherence to the required steps.
Assigning duties throughout the lifecycle is also crucial. The question of who is accountable for the risk assessment and the creation of the safety function can be considered within an organization.
Assigning duties throughout the lifecycle is also crucial. The question of who is accountable for the risk assessment and the creation of the safety function can be considered within an organization.
Configuration Management
The process of Configuration Management involves systematically identifying, documenting, and controlling the configuration of a product or system to maintain its integrity over time. In more straightforward terms, CM entails managing the changes to the components, software, documentation, and other elements of the system that could affect its functionality and safety.
Documentation Control Plan (DCP)
Documentation Control Plan according to IEC 61508 is a critical aspect of managing the safety lifecycle for functional safety systems. It involves establishing procedures for creating, managing, maintaining, and controlling the documents related to safety activities to ensure accuracy, traceability, and compliance. Proper documentation control ensures that all safety-related information is available, up-to-date, and auditable throughout the lifecycle of a safety-related system.
Mechanical Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
Mechanical Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is a systematic approach used to identify potential failure modes in mechanical systems, assess their impact, and prioritize actions to mitigate the risks. It helps improve the reliability and safety of mechanical components and systems by analyzing how they might fail and what effects these failures could have on system performance and safety.
Cyber Security ISO 21434 and Safety
As vehicles become increasingly connected and software-driven, cybersecurity has become a cornerstone of ensuring functional safety. ISO/SAE 21434 provides a robust framework for managing cybersecurity risks across the lifecycle of automotive systems. By aligning closely with safety standards like ISO 26262, it ensures that digital threats are mitigated to prevent physical safety hazards. This integrated approach addresses the evolving challenges of modern vehicle technology, safeguarding users and infrastructure a like.
what is IEC 61508/Change-management?
what-is-traceability?
The ability to trace every stage of a product’s journey, from its inception to design, creation, testing, implementation, and upkeep, all the way back to the original safety requirements is what traceability refers to. Within the realm of IEC 61508, traceability guarantees that each safety requirement is met through corresponding design components, tests, and paperwork.
what is Safety Case?
A Safety Case is a structured document or collection of documents that provides a reasoned argument, supported by evidence, that a system is safe to operate in its intended environment. It is commonly used in industries where safety is critical, such as automotive, aerospace, defense, and process industries, and is a key requirement under functional safety standards like IEC 61508.
Mechanical Fault exclusion
Mechanical Fault Exclusion is a concept used to justify the omission of certain fault considerations in the risk assessment of mechanical components in safety-related parts of control systems. It acknowledges that under specific conditions, certain mechanical faults are so unlikely that they can be excluded from the safety analysis. This helps in simplifying the design and assessment process while still maintaining safety integrity.