Application of STPA to the integration of multiple control systems : a case study and new approach
Name
890206314-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
17.68 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
dfcc793f1a621d20d577f17f8bf69239
Author(s)
Placke, Matthew Seth
Advisor(s)
Nancy Leveson and John Thomas.
Alternative Title
Application of Systems-Theoretic Process Analysis to the integration of multiple control systems : a case study and new approach
Date Issued
2014
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
A new approach for analyzing multiple control systems within the STPA framework has been developed and demonstrated. The new approach meets the growing need of system engineers to analyze integrated control systems, that may or may not have been developed in a coordinated manner, and assess them for safety and performance. This need comes from the increasing proliferation of embedded control systems across domains including defense, energy, healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and consumer products. When multiple embedded control systems are integrated together, they have the potential to operate in uncoordinated and conflicting ways which might hinder their performance and lead to unsafe behavior. This new approach provides a means for engineers to analyze the integration of control systems, beginning during concept development and continuing through the design process. The approach leverages the results of STPA Step 1 and guides the analyst in identifying instances of potential conflict between controllers. The method is demonstrated through a case study from the automotive domain, the integration of three driver assistance systems. The first application of the new approach identified instances of conflict amongst the three systems that would prohibit their successful operation in the field. Following the presentation of the case study, suggestions for future work and use in practice are provided.
Description
Thesis: S.M., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2014.
Some pages printed landscape. Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 113-114).
Subjects
Engineering Systems Division.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division
Terms of Use
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