Combining graph-based guidance with error effect simulation for efficient safety analysis

The increasing number of complex embedded systems used in safety relevant tasks produces major challenges in the field of safety analysis. This paper presents a simulation-based safety analysis that will overcome these challenges. The presented approach consists of two parts: an Error Effect Simulation (EES) and a graph-based specification. The EES is composed of a system simulation with fault injection capability and a generic fault specification. The graph-based specification approach guides systematically the EES and enables a very efficient exploration of the analysis space. Inherent in the graph-based specification is the documentation of the safety analysis and a coverage approach to assess the executed safety analysis. Combining these parts leads to an efficient and automatable framework for safety analysis. A use case of an interconnected electronic control system shows the application of the approach and highlights the benefits for a safety analysis, such as a failure mode and effect analysis.