Published: 30 June 2016

Functional control structure model for the complex systems and its application in system safety analysis

Jianbo Hu1
Lei Zheng2
1, 2College of Material Management and Safety Engineering, Air Force Engineering University, Xi’an 710051, China
Corresponding Author:
Jianbo Hu
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Abstract

The safety problem for the complex system is regarded as a control problem other than probability one, where the overall functional control structure model of the complex system could be configured in terms of the relationships among their functional labels. The hazards are due to the unsafe control actions (UCA), or the malfunctional control action (MCA). Meanwhile, UCA and MCA are due to the error feedback information (EFI), the error environment variables (EEV), the error state variables (ESE), the error command inputs (ECI), the error working modes (EWM), and the error process models (EPM), etc. Every function or component would be described as 10 labels, which are the input command (IC), the feedback to the upper level (FU), the control action (CA), the feedback from the lower levels (FL), the external input command (EC), the process model (PM), other related state variable (SV), the precondition (PC), the resource and the executing condition (RE) of the system, and the environment variable (EV). The aircraft wheel brake system’s control structure model is given to show its effectiveness.

1. Introduction

Accidents are becoming more and more complicated with the development of complex system and their causes might be the interaction among components and the various external factors of the operating condition and environment, except from the faults of the components.

In the view of system engineering [1], accidents are caused by the interaction among various functions or components resulting from the unsafe control action due to uncertain factors, such as time, model, resource and information. In the view of control engineering [2], the unsafe control actions resulting in accidents could be explained by models and information relationship, such as inadequacy models, varying environment, insufficient precondition and incomplete information, and can be regarded as the loss of control due to the oversize disturbance or unknown uncertainty. Thus, analyzing the system safety associated with modeling and control could be an effective way and might be extended to the quantitative analysis, such as system simulation [3, 4]. Recently, many researchers have use new accident models to consider the safety for the complex system. Nancy proposed STAMP and STPA [5, 6] and widely applied into the safety analysis for many complex systems [7-9].

Nancy’s results are based on the Functional Control Structure Model (FCSM), but she did not provide the way to establish FCSM for any complex system. Only some simple feedback loop was discussed [5, 6]. Moreover, STAMP and SPTA are qualitative. In fact, the obtained FCSM could be used to system safety’s quantitative analysis only if the models and data obtained from the detailed designing information could be used to establish the system safety’s quantitative analyzing circumstances, especially in safety simulation [3, 4]. Furthermore, STAMP and STPA without functional labels are very different from the FRAM [10] with functional labels such that they are usually ‘think of what you do’ and less of systematicness and completeness. Totally, STAMP/STPA might be an effective way to handle these complex systems’ safety, but many lacks should be notified as follows.

1) STAMP/STPA is a procedure other than a method. The formal description of any function is not perfectly defined to identify the unsafe control action. It is very necessary to propose an effective way in methodology to configure the functional control structure model for the complex system.

2) STAMP/STPA is modeled qualitatively without mathematic model such that the functional control structure and its properties could not be verified, and the unsafe control actions and malfunctional control actions could not be identified directly by the dynamic analysis and the system simulation.

3) STAMP/STPA does not use the state space to describe its variables such that the configuration of the functional control structure model is chaotic in the process of identifying the unsafe control action. It is very necessary to build STAMP/STPA in systemic programmer with the state spaces variables.

In this paper, FCSM would be established using functional labels such that the system’s safety analysis could be performed by analyzing the properties for the particular labels’ direction, starting points and end points. FCSM for system safety analysis is configured to identify the unsafe control action and malfunctional control action. The model might be used qualitatively or quantitatively such that it is not only a method, but also a program for the safety analysis of the complex system.

2. A formal description of the function or component (FDFC)

As shown in [10], the function may be defined for the specified function or components as ‘the specified task of the specified function or component is finished by someone or automation under the specified conditions and within the specified time’.

The labels used in FRAM [10] could be re-considered to propose FDFC in the view of system safety such that they could describe the typical control structure relationship and are convenient for the system safety analysis.

Firstly, it is necessary for system safety analysis to describe the function or component’s specified task within the specified time and under the specified condition. The specified task not only generates the control action necessary to the lower levels and the feedback to the upper levels, but also receives the associated information from the other functions or the related systems. The specified time is required to provide the proper control action, feedback and any other inputs or outputs timely (without delay, too soon, too long or out of sequence) and to stop providing timely (without delay, too soon, too late or out of sequence). The model has considered the limited conditions other than all possible conditions, so the specified conditions are required to ensure the effectiveness of the model and an effective model should be reconfigured under the specified operation conditions.

Meanwhile, every function or component has its inputs, outputs, preconditions, necessary resource and executing conditions. One function or component’s inputs might be its input commands from the upper levels, the external control commands from the related systems which might be conflicted with each other, the feedbacks from the lower levels, the environment variables from the related systems which might affect its properties, the related state variables which is used to specify its process model. One function or component’s outputs might be its control actions to the lower levels and the feedbacks to the upper levels. One function or component’s precondition is the necessarily existed condition before its execution, which might be the outputs and logical compositions of the other functions or components. One function or component’s resource is the necessarily existing powers or materials in its execution, which might be controlled by the other systems.

Simply, it is clear that there are five factors in relation with 10 labels must be considered for a function or component, i.e. its input, output, precondition, resource and model, as shown in Fig. 1(a). Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 1(b), a function or component should be labeled with 10 labels, named as Input Command (IC), Feedback to the Upper level (FU), Control Action(CA), Feedback from the Lower level (FL), External input Command (EC), Precondition (PC), other related State Variable (SV), Environment Variable (EV), Resource and Executing condition (RE), and Process Model (PM), respectively. The labels and their meanings associated to the relative factors are shown in table 1.

Fig. 1FDFC’s 10 labels and 5 factors

FDFC’s 10 labels and 5 factors

a) FDFC with 5 factors

FDFC’s 10 labels and 5 factors

b) FDFC with 10 labels

Table 1The labels, meaning and factors

No.
Name
Label
Meaning
Factors
1
Input command
IC
The command to the specified function or component
Input
2
External input command
EC
The control commands from the other channels, which might conflict with IC
Input
3
Feedback from the lower level
FL
Feedback from the lower levels to the specified function or component
Input
4
Environment variable
EV
Variables describing the operating environment of the specified function or component
Input
5
Other related state variable
SV
The related state variables used by the function or component process model
Input
6
Control action
CA
Control action generated by the function or component to control the lower levels
Output
7
Feedback to the upper level
FU
The feedback from the function or component to the upper level
Output
8
Process model
PM
The process model used to generate CA and FU
Model
9
Precondition
PC
The necessary preconditions for a function or component
PC
10
Resource and executing condition
RE
The necessary resource and executing conditions for the specified function or component
RE

3. Functional control structure model (FCSM) of the system

Ordinarily, any system consists of various functions or components, and its FCSM could be configured by connecting various FDFC’s labels and considering the relationship among systems and environment conditions. Firstly, ICs, CAs, FUs, FLs and ECs connect each other from one FDFC to another according to their directions defined by the system working principle. Secondly, SVs are used by the system and generated by the other systems. Thirdly, EVs are used by the system and given by the operation environment. Lastly, PC and RE are the precondition or resource of the function under the specified SVs and EVs.

The method of establishing FCSM from multiple FDFC is very similar to not only that of drawing the plan and control chart [11], but also that of drawing program flow chart [12]. Here, FCSM’s constitution, rules and steps should be considered comprehensively.

Firstly, FCSM is consist of FDFCs, directional lines and signal marking variables. The relationship among functions or components can be described clearly by FCSM, while the time-sequence relationship and the related interaction would be appeared in various FDFC’s models. The directional lines are used to connect the labels of various FDFC according to the system working principle. Every line has its specific starting point and multiple end points. For example, CA and IC can be connected each other with the direction line CA→IC, while FU and FL can be connected each other with the direction line FU→FL. The signal’s marking variables are used to declare the signal’s name within the directional line. The signals may be the inputs, outputs, preconditions, executing conditions and resources of the specified functions or components.

Secondly, the steps in generating FCSM from FDFCs are shown as Fig. 2 and contain four stages. Stage 1: Decompose the system into various functions or components, which has its inputs, outputs, resources, preconditions and models, and complies with its working principles. Stage 2: For every function or component, list its labels and form the functional detailed lists with their name, type, label and direction as Table 2. Stage 3: From the upper functions or components to the lower ones, connect various functions or components to form FCSM according to their labels and functional detailed lists. Stage 4: Check the obtained lists and modify the FCSM as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2FCSM’s general steps

FCSM’s general steps

Fig. 3 shows the FCSM of the aircraft wheel brake system [13]. The system consists of 4 functions or components, named as FC (Flight Crew), BSCU (Brake System Control Unit), WBSH (WBS Hydraulics) and Wheels. It is a logic system because its inputs, outputs and process models are mainly logic ones. It is complex because it is not only an integrated system of electrics, mechanics and hydraulics, but also a man-machine interaction system. Its FCSM could be obtained from the lists as shown in Table 2.

Table 2The variables of the aircraft wheel brake system

No
Name
Label
Variable
Directions
1
FC
CA
Brake (pedal)
FC→BSCU
FC→WBSH
BSCU power on/off
FC→BSCU
Arm and set disarm
FC→BSCU
PC
Normal/Alternate braking mode
WBSH→FC
FL
Fault detected
BSCU→FC
Activated status
BSCU→FC
Armed status
BSCU→FC
Programmed deceleration rate
BSCU→FC
SV
Flight phase (landing, TRO, Taxi, takeoff)
A/C→FC
Status of other brake mechanism
A/C→FC
A/C ground speed
A/C→FC
EV
Runway length
Weather
Statues of runway (wet or icy)
Weather
2
BSCU
CA
Open/close green shutoff valve
BSCU→WBSH
Green meter valve position command
BSCU→WBSH
Open/close blue anti-skid valve
BSCU→WBSH
IC
Brake (pedal)
FC→BSCU
BSCU power on/off
FC→BSCU
Arm and set/disarm for autobrake
FC→BSCU
FU
Fault detected
BSCU→FC
Activated status
BSCU→FC
Armed status
BSCU→FC
Programmed deceleration rate
BSCU→FC
FL
Wheel speed
Wheel→BSCU
SV
Autobrake triggers (touchdown, RTO)
A/C→BSCU
3
WBSH
IC
Brake (pedal)-manual brake
FC→WBSU
Open/close green shutoff valve
BSCU→WBSH
Green meter valve position command
BSCU→WBSH
Open/close blue anti-skid valve
BSCU→WBSH
CA
Braking force
WBSH→Wheels
PC
Preconditions
WBSH→CREW
4
Aircraft physical system
IC
Braking force
WBSH→Wheels
FU
Wheel speed
Wheels→BSCU

As shown in Table 2, any FU of one function or component will have a corresponding FL of the other function or component, and some CA of one function or component will have IC of the other function or component. Meanwhile, in Fig. 3, M1 is the model of flight crew, such as ‘Autobrake Armed/Not Armed’. M2 is the model of BSCU, such as ‘Valve command’. M3 is the model of WBSH, such as ‘Alternate/Normal mode switch’. M4 is the model of Aircraft Physical System, such as ‘A/C speed’. EV is the environment variables of the flight crew, such as ‘Runway length’. SV1 is the related state variables of the flight crew, such as ‘Flight status’. SV2 is the related state variables of BSCU, such as ‘Touchdown’. PC is the working mode of WBS, such as ‘Normal braking mode’. CA1 is the control action from flight crew to BSCU, such as ‘BSCU on/off’. CA2 is the control action from BSCU to WBSH, such as ‘Open/close green shutoff valve’. CA3 is the control action from WBSH to the wheel, such as ‘Braking force’. F1 is the feedback from BSCU to flight crew, such as ‘Armed status’. F2 is the feedback from Aircraft Physical System to BSCU, such as ‘Wheel speed’.

In similar way, FCSM could be obtained from any complex system. Fig. 4 is some – type Aircraft Flying Control System (AFCS) [14], which is composed of Flight Crew(FC), Automatic Control System (ACS), Fly by Wire (FBW), FBW Hydraulics(FBWH), Control Surface (CS), Monitor Indicators (MI), Monitors and Controllers (MC), Fling Meters (FM), Aircraft Motion Sensors (AMS) and Aircraft. It is a mixed system because its inputs, outputs and process models are mixed ones, such as logical events, motions’ dynamics and faults’ detecting. It is complex because it is not only an integrated system with multi-redundant electrics, mechanics and hydraulics, but also a man-machine interaction system with multi-various modes.

There are three modes to control aircraft’s motion. In ACS mode, ACS receives the automatic control commands from flight crew and sends the control action to FBW resulting in control action passed to FBWH, while FBWH generates the control action to CS resulting in aircraft motions. The specific automatic control mode should be defined by MC. It must receive the feedback signals from AMS. It is noted that ACS mode has its specified preconditions about flight status, altitudes and speeds. In FBW mode, FBW receives the stick displacement electrical signal from flight crew and sends control action to FBWH to control CS resulting in aircraft motions. FBW is multi-redundant channels and must be monitored and controlled correctly by MC to obtain the proper working channel. It must receive the feedback signals from AMS. It is noted that FBW mode must be switch to the Manual mode if there is fatal fault in FBW, such as two FBW channels are successive malfunctional. In Manual mode, CS directly received the stick displacement mechanical control action from flight crew resulting in aircraft motion.

Fig. 3The CSM of the aircraft wheel brake system

The CSM of the aircraft wheel brake system

Fig. 4The FCSM of the aircraft flying control system

The FCSM of the aircraft flying control system

4. Hazards and factors

Accident is caused by one of hazards and one accident may be caused by one of many hazards. One hazard may be caused by the composition of the above 10 labels for some functions or components. Every label has a start point and an end point. The information on this label’s end point or starting point should be provided or stop timely, in order and effectively. For the convenient of system safety analysis, five Classes of factors are named by “Control Action”, “Feedback”, “Variable”, “Aided Control” and “Model”, respectively.

Firstly, for the control action, the necessary control action must be provided when it is necessary and stopped when it is not necessary, and should be provided and stopped timely. If not, it is an unsafe control action (UCA) and might cause hazards. As shown in Table 3, UCA might be caused in four cases. Meanwhile, the provided control action must be followed or executed. If not, it is a malfunctional control action (MCA) and might cause hazards. As shown in Table 3, the malfunctional control action might be caused by the other four cases. MCA means that the control action was provided but not followed or executed. UCA and MCA are regarded as Class “Control Action”.

Table 3Classes, error and causes

No
Classes
Error or unsafe
Types
Causes
1
Control action
UCA (4)
Provided when it is no necessary (PNN)
The control action is provided when there is a contradiction at the current condition
Not provided when it is necessary (NPN)
The control action is not provided when there is necessary at the current condition
Provided too late, too soon or out of sequence (PLSS)
The control action is provided too late, too soon and out of sequence, resulting in the unexpected conditions
Stopped too soon, applied too long (SSAL)
The control action is stopped too soon or applied too long, resulting in the unexpected conditions
MCA (4)
Conflict with EC (CEC)
The specified control conflicts with EC
Inadequate PC (IPC)
The control action cannot execute in the specified PC
Out of CA’s capacity (OCC)
Under the current condition, the control action’s capacity is not enough to finish IC
Out of the lower model’s variation (OMV)
The control action’s requirement does not assign with the scope of the controlled model’s variation
2
Feedback
EFU (5)
EFL (5)
Not provided when it is necessary (NPN)
The feedback information is not provided (providing) when it is necessary
Provided but incorrect (PBI)
The feedback information is provided (providing) but incorrect
Measured (measuring) but inaccurate (MBI)
The feedback information is measured (measuring) but inaccurate such that the feedback information conflict with the other variables to trigger the working mode and to announce improperly
Provided (providing) but too late or too soon (PLS)
The feedback information is provided (providing) but too late to sample correctly or too soon to sample timely
Provided (providing) but missing (PMI)
The feedback information is missing, such as digital information
3
Variables
EEV (5)
Not provided when it is necessary (NPN)
The environment variables from the related systems are not provided when it is necessary
Provided but incorrect (PBI)
The environment variables from the related systems are provided but incorrect
Measured (measuring) but inaccurate (MBI)
The environment variables from the related systems are measured but inaccurate such that the providing environment variables conflict with the other variables to trigger the working mode and to announce improperly
Provided (providing) but too late or too soon (PLS)
The environment variables from the related systems are provided but too late to sample correctly or too soon to sample timely
Provided (providing) but missing (PMI)
The feedback information is missing, such as digital information
ESV (5)
Not provided when it is necessary (NPN)
The state variables from the total system are not provided when it is necessary
Provided but incorrect (PBI)
The state variables from the total system are provided but incorrect
Measured (measuring) but inaccurate (MBI)
The state variables from the total system are measured but inaccurate such that the providing state variables conflict with the other variables to trigger the working mode and to announce improperly
Provided (providing) but too late or too soon (PLS)
The state variables from the total system are provided but too late to sample correctly or too soon to sample timely
Provided (providing) but missing (PMI)
The feedback information is missing, such as digital information
4
Aided control
EEC (4)
Provided when it is no necessary (PNN)
The external control action is provided when there is a contradiction with CA
Not provided when it is necessary (NPN)
The external control action is not provided when it is necessary at the current condition
Provided too late, too soon or out of sequence (PLSS)
The external control action is provided too late, too soon and out of sequence, resulting in the unexpected conditions
Stopped too soon, applied too long (SSAL)
The external control action is stopped too soon or applied too long, resulting in. the unexpected conditions
EPC (4)
Provided when it is no necessary (PNN)
The precondition is provided when there is a contradiction with CA’s requirement
Not provided when it is necessary (NPN)
The precondition is not provided when it is necessary for the current CA
Provided too late, too soon or out of sequence (PLSS)
The precondition is provided too late, too soon and out of sequence, resulting in the loss of CA
Stopped too soon, applied too long (SSAL)
The precondition is stopped too soon or applied too long, resulting in the loss of CA
ECI (4)
Provided when it is no necessary (PNN)
The command inputs are provided when there is a contradiction at the current conditions
Not provided when it is necessary (NPN)
The command inputs are not provided when it is necessary for the current conditions
Provided too early, too late, too soon or out of sequence (PELSS)
The command inputs are provided too early, too late, too soon and out of sequence, resulting in the loss of control
Stopped too soon, applied too long (SSAL)
The command inputs are stopped too soon or applied too long, resulting in the loss of control
ERE (2)
Not provided when it is necessary (NPN)
The RE is not provided continuously when it is necessary for the current conditions
Provided but lower in the capacity (PLC)
The RE is provided but its capacity is lower than the required one
5
Model
EPM (3)
Model inconsistent (MICS)
The chosen model cannot meet the actual condition, resulting from the errors of the environment variables, the related state variables and the working mode
Model incorrect (MICR)
The model is incorrect such that the model cannot work properly
Model incomplete (MICM)
The model is incomplete such that there is not a proper model under the specified conditions

Secondly, for the feedback information, the necessary one from the uppers (EFU) must be provided timely, accurately and correctly. If not, it is an error feedback information and might cause hazards. As shown in Table 3, EFU might be caused in five cases. Meanwhile, the necessary feedback to the lowers (EFL) must be provided adequately without missing and delay. If not, it is a malfunctional feedback information and might cause hazards. As shown in Table 3, EFL might be caused by the other five cases. EFU and EFL are regarded as Class “Feedback”.

Thirdly, for environment variables, the necessary environment variables from the other system must be provided timely, correctly and completely. If not, it is an error environment variable (EEV) and might cause hazards. As shown in Table 3, EEV might be caused in five cases. Meanwhile, the necessary state variables from the total system must be provided timely, correctly and completely. If not, it is an error state variable (ESV) and might cause hazards. As shown in Table 2, ESV might be caused by the other five cases. EEV and ESV are regarded as Class “Variable”.

Fourthly, for ex-control action, the necessary external control action must be provided when it is necessary and stopped when it is not necessary, and should be provided and stopped timely. If not, it is an error external control(EEC) action and might cause hazards. As shown in Table 3, EEC might be caused in four cases. Meanwhile, the necessary preconditions must be provided when it is necessary and stopped when it is not necessary, and should be provided and stopped timely. If not, it is an error precondition (EPC) and might cause hazards. As shown in Table 3, EPC might be caused by the other four cases. Furthermore, the necessary command input must be provided when it is necessary and stopped when it is not necessary, and should be provided and stopped timely. If not, it is an error command input (ECI) and might cause hazards. As shown in Table 3, ECI might be caused by the other four cases. Finally, the necessary resource and executing condition for a function or component must be provided when it is necessary, and should be provided effectively and continuously. If not, it is an error resource and executing condition (ERE) and might cause hazards. As shown in Table 3, ERE might be caused by the other two cases. EEC, EPC, ECI and ERE are regarded as Class “Aided Control”.

Fifthly, in the model factors, the process model should consider the predicted uncertainty and various disturbances, sufficiently. If not, it is an error process model (EPM) and might cause hazards. As shown in Table 3, EPM might be caused by three cases.

5. Function-Hazards tree and its qualitative analysis for safety

Obviously, the hazards resulting from the types of Table 3 might be shown in Fig. 5, it is very like ‘Fault-tree’ in the traditional safety analysis, named as Function-Hazard-Tree (FHT), and can be used qualitatively to analysis safety. From FHT, the compositions of EFIs, MFIs, EEVs, ESVs, EECs, ECIs, EPCs and EPMs, resulting from the designing errors, requirement flaws, software error, interaction among other control action or various failures, can generate UCA and MCA.

For the particular system, its FCSM can be built up by the methods given in the Section 3. For example, Fig. 6 shows the FCSM of the aircraft wheel brake system. Meanwhile, in order to analyze the cause of UCA and MCA, FCSM for the specified behavior (flight crew or Autobrake, in this example), which is consist of five factors as shown in Fig. 5, must be considered. The five factors in Fig. 6 are given in Table 4. Furthermore, UCA and MCA can be discovered qualitatively according to the possible compositions as shown in Table 5.

It is noted that quantitative analysis for the safety would implement easily based on FCSM and FHT. Firstly, UCA and MCA resulting from the FHT and its qualitative analysis might be used to determine the design requirement to eliminate or mitigated the influence of UCA and MCA. Secondly, some non-identifying new UCA and MCA would be discovered quantitatively by considering the possible compositions of EFIs, MFIs, EEVs, ESVs, EECs, ECIs, EREs, EPCs, and EPMs from FCSM. Lastly, Quantitative analysis for every UCA and MCA might be useful to discover EFIs, MFIs, EEVs, ESVs, EECs, ECIs, EREs, EPCs, and EPMs as completely as possible.

Fig. 5Function Hazards tree

Function Hazards tree

Table 4Classes in Fig. 6

No.
Classes
Contents
1
Control action
Manual brake command
2
Aided-control
Normal/Alternate braking mode
3
Feedback
Autobrake activated status
Autobrake armed status
Autobrake deceleration rate
Fault detected
4
Variables
Flight status
Actual deceleration rate
Wheel speed
Runway length
Other brake mechanisms’ status
5
Model
Auto-brake Armed/Not armed
Auto-brake deceleration rate
Auto-brake activation status
WBS Normal/Alternate braking mode
BSCU power on/off
Manual provided/Not provided
Flight status (touchdown, rejected takeoff, taxi, etc.)
Aircraft status (speed, deceleration rate, etc.)

Fig. 6The control process model of aircraft wheel brake system for flight crew

The control process model of aircraft wheel brake system for flight crew

Table 5Hazards and factors

H-1
Inadequate aircraft deceleration upon landing, rejected takeoff, or taxing
H-2
Aircraft maneuvers out of safe regions
No.
Control
Feedback
Variable
Ex-control
Model
Hazard
1
Manual barking
BSCU Fault detected
Flight status
Auto-brake
BSCU fault/ no fault
H-1, H-2
UCA: Crew does not provide manual braking during landing when Auto-brake is not providing braking.
Due to:
EFL: Fault detect of BSCU is not provided during landing when BSCU is fault.
ESV: Flight state is not provided during landing.
EPM: The process model of BSCU fault/no fault is incorrect.
2
Manual braking
The feeling of the pedal pressure
Flight status
Auto-brake
BSCU fault/ no fault
H-1, H-2
UCA: Manual braking provided with insufficient pedal pressure, resulting in inadequate deceleration during landing.
Due to:
EFL: The feeling of the pedal pressure by pilots is not correct or too late.
ESV: Flight state is not provided during landing.
EPM: The process model of BSCU fault/no fault is incorrect.
3
Manual braking
touchdown
Flight status
Auto-brake
Manual braking provided/ not provided
H-1, H-2
UCA: Manual braking applied before touchdown causes wheel lockup, loss of control, tire burst.
Due to:
EFL: The feeling of the pedal pressure by pilots is incorrect or too late.
ESV: Flight state is incorrect.
EPM: The process model of manual braking provided/ not provided is incorrect.
4
Manual braking
Taxi speed runway length
Flight status
Auto-brake
A/C ground speed
H-1, H-2
UCA: Manual braking command is stopped before safe taxi speed is reached, resulting in over-speed or overshoot.
Due to:
EFL: The runway is too short or noted by pilots too late.
ESV: Flight state is not provided during taxing
EPM: The process model of A/C ground speed is incorrect.
...

6. Conclusion

The safety problem for the complex system is regarded as a control problem and the FCSM for the specified system was established in terms of its FDFCs. Based on the viewpoint that the hazards are due to UCA or MCA, a FHT is obtained from five classes “Control Action”, “Feedback”, “Variable”, “Aided Control” and “Model”. Control Action might be UCA and MCA, feedback might be EFU and EFL. Variable might be EEV, ESV. Aided-control might be EEC, ECI, EPC, ERE. Model might be three cases of EPM. The aircraft wheel brake system’s control structure model is given to show its effectiveness.

Furthermore, the quantitative analysis should be researched. In fact, based on FCSM, we can obtain the designed simulation system for the particular system to establish the total FCSM with detailed mathematic model for every model, detailed signal properties for every connection label. Various error models should be established for every label’s starting point and end one. Next we will contribute an article for the quantitative analysis of the specified system.

It is noted that Nancy’s research report [13, 15] indicated that STAMP/STPA might be instead of the analysis method suggested in SAE ARP 4761 [16] such that the analysis will be more general. Meanwhile, the requirements of FAA-AC25.1309 [17] are more covering, but there is no effective way to check if the particular systems, equipment have been compliance with these requirements. Here, FCSM based on FDFCs could find more comprehensive safety requirement resulting in more safe system.

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About this article

Received
23 December 2015
Accepted
22 April 2016
Published
30 June 2016
Keywords
functional control structure model
system safety analysis
wheel brake system