Abstract
A two-step Dynamic Flowgraph Methodology (DFM) is presented for the dependability analysis of embedded systems. The first step in its application consists of building a model that expresses the logic and dynamic behavior of the system in terms of its physical and software variables. The modeling framework that is used combines and expands on the structures of two known techniques: logic flowgraph methodology (LFM) and Petri nets, the former being used to model flow of causality and the latter to model the timed control of the causality flow. The second step of DFM application consists in using the model developed in the first step to build “timed” fault trees that identify and represent logic combinations and time sequences of variable states that can cause the system to be in certain specific states of interest (desirable or undesirable). This is accomplished by backtracking through the DFM model of the system of interest in a systematic, specified manner. The information, contained in the fault trees, concerning the hardware and software conditions that can lead to system states of interest can be used to uncover undesirable or unanticipated software/hardware interactions and to improve upon the system design by eliminating unsafe software-execution paths. It can also be used to develop a focused testing strategy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Laprie, J. C.: Dependability: a unifying concept for reliable computing and fault-tolerance, Resilient Computing Systems. London, Collins, 1–28 (1989)
Ramamoorthy, C. V. et al: Application of methodology for the development and validation of reliable process control software. IEEE Trans. Software Eng. 7, 537–555 (1981)
Leveson, N. G., Stolzy, J. L.: Safety analysis using Petri nets. IEEE Trans. Software Engineering, 13, 386–397 (1985)
Leveson, N. G.: Software safety in computer controlled systems,“ IEEE Com- puter, 17, 48–55 (1984)
Leveson, N. G.: Software safety: why, what and how. ACM Computing Sur- veys, 18, 125–163 (1986)
McDermid, J. A.: Issues in developing software for safety critical systems. Reliab. Engng. & System Safety, 32, 1–24 (1991)
Palmas, D. L., Asmis, G. J. K., Madey, J.: Assessment of safety-critical software in nuclear power plants. Nuclear Safety, 32, 189–198 (1991)
Harvey, P. R.: Fault-tree analysis of software. Master’s thesis, Univ. California, Irvine (1982)
Leveson, N. G., Harvey, P. R.: Analyzing software safety. IEEE Trans. Software Engineering, SE-9, 569–579 (1983).
DeMillo, McCracken, et al, “Software Testing and Evaluation”, Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company Inc., Menlo Park, CA,1987.
Peterson, J. L.: Petri net theory and the modeling of systems. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ (1983)
Jones, C. B.: Software development: A rigorous approach,“ Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ (1986)
Mills, H. D.,Dyer, M., Linger, R.: Clean room software engineering. IEEE Software, 4, 19–25 (1987)
Lapp, S. A., Powers, G. J.: Computer-aided synthesis of fault trees. IEEE Trans. Reliability, 26, 2–13 (1977)
Salem, S. L., Apostolalds, G. E.: A new methodology for the computer-aided construction of fault trees. Annals of Nuclear Energy, 4, 417–433 (1977)
Salem, S. L., Wu, J. S., Apostolakis, G. E.: Decision table development and application to the construction of fault trees. Nucl. Technol., 42, 51–64, 1979.
Han, S. H., Kim, T. W., Choi, Y.: Development of a computer code AFTC for fault tree construction using decision tables and supercomponent concept. Rehab. Engng. & System Safety, 25, 15–31 (1989)
Guarro, S. B., Okrent, D.: The Logic Flowgraph: a new approach to process failure modeling and diagnosis for disturbance analysis application. Nucl. Technol., 67 (1984)
Guarro, S. B.: PROLGRAF-B: a knowledge-based system for the automated construction of nuclear plant diagnostic models. In technical progress report for period Sep. 1987-March 1988 (by D. Okrent and G. Apostolakis) for DOE award no. DE-F003-UCLA, March 1988.
Guarro, S. B.: Diagnostic models for engineering process management: A critical review of objectives, constraints and applicable tools. Reliab. Engng. & System Safety, 30, (1990)
Muthukumar, C. T., Guarro, S. B., Apostolakis, G. E.: Logic Flowgraph Methodology: A tool for modeling embedded systems. IEEE/AIAA 10th Digital Avionics Systems Conference, Los Angeles, CA, Oct. 14–17. Proceedings, 103–107 (1991)
Amendola, A.: Accident sequence dynamic simulation versus event trees. Rehab. Engng. & System Safety, 22, 3–25 (1988).
Nivoliantou, Z., Amendola, A., Reina, G.: Reliability analysis of chemical processes by the DYLAM approach. Reliability Engineering, 14, 163–182 (1986)
Cacciabue, P. C., Amendola, A.: Dynamic Logical Analytical Methodology versus fault trees: The case study of the auxiliary feedwater system of a nuclear power plant. Nucl. Technol., 74 (1986).
Taylor, J. R.: An algorithm for fault-tree construction, IEEE Trans. Reliability, 31, 137–146 (1982)
Kelly, B. E., Lees, F. P.: The propagation of faults in process plants. Reliability Engineering, 16, 1–35 (1986)
Coolahan, J., E. Jr., Roussopoulos, N.: Timing requirements for time-driven systems using augmented Petri nets. IEEE Trans. Software Engineering, SE-9, 603616 (1983).
Caldarola, L.: Fault tree analysis with multistate components, Synthesis and Analysis Methods for Safety and Reliability Studies. Apostolakis, G. E., Garribba S., Volta, G. (Eds), 199–248, New York: Plenum Press (1980).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1994 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Muthukumar, C.T., Guarro, S.B., Apostolakis, G.E. (1994). Dependability Analysis of Embedded Software Systems. In: Aldemir, T., Siu, N.O., Mosleh, A., Cacciabue, P.C., Göktepe, B.G. (eds) Reliability and Safety Assessment of Dynamic Process Systems. NATO ASI Series, vol 120. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-03041-7_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-03041-7_5
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-08178-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-662-03041-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive