A model-based failure identification and propagation framework for conceptual design of complex systems

In this paper, a model-based failure identification and propagation (MFIP) framework is introduced for early identification of potential safety issues caused by environmental disturbances and subsystem failures within a complex avionic system. The MFIP framework maps hazards and vulnerability modes to specific components in the system and analyzes failure propagation paths. Block definition diagrams (BDD) are used to represent system functional requirements in the form of demonstrating the relationships between various requirements, their associations, generalizations, as well as dependencies. These concept models help to identify hazardous factors and the relationships through which their detrimental effects are transferred through-out the proposed system architecture. As such, the approach provides the opportunity to reduce costs associated with redesign and provide important information on design viability. Using this technique, designers can examine the impacts of environmental and subsystem risks on the overall system during the early stages of design and develop hazard mitigation strategies.