Automatic generation of analyzable failure propagation models from component-level failure annotations

Abstract

Model-driven and component-based software engineering methodologies are currently key factors for the successful construction of complex software systems. To effectively apply these methodologies to mission- and safety-critical systems, component-based models should also support hazard analysis techniques and enable the automatic construction of safety cases. This paper outlines a technique, which annotates components with modular failure mode assumptions, described in the failure propagation transformation notation (FPTN) and generates an analyzable failure propagation model for the complete system. Based on this technique, a model-based safety evaluation is possible, which enables the automatic generation of safety cases based on system models. Consequently, a consistency between the safety case and the system model can be ensured, even if the system's architecture is changed.