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Improving Quality Using Architecture Fault Analysis with Confidence Arguments

Podcast
The case study shows that by combining an analytical approach with confidence maps, we can present a structured argument that system requirements have been met and problems in the design have been addressed adequately.
Publisher

Software Engineering Institute

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Abstract

In this podcast, Peter Feiler discusses a case study that demonstrates how an analytical architecture fault-modeling approach can be combined with confidence arguments to diagnose a time-sensitive design error in a control system and to provide evidence that proposed changes to the system address the problem. The analytical approach, based on the SAE Architecture Analysis and Design Language for its well-defined timing and fault-behavior semantics, demonstrates that such hard-to-test errors can be discovered and corrected early in the lifecycle, thereby reducing rework cost. 

The case study shows that by combining the analytical approach with confidence maps, we can present a structured argument that system requirements have been met and problems in the design have been addressed adequately—increasing our confidence in the system quality. The case study analyzes an aircraft engine control system that manages fuel flow with a stepper motor. The original design was developed and verified in a commercial model-based development environment without discovering the potential for missed step commanding. During system tests, actual fuel flow did not correspond to the desired fuel flow under certain circumstances. The problem was traced to missed execution of commanded steps due to variation in execution time.
 

About the Speaker

Headshot of Peter Feiler.

Peter H. Feiler

Peter Feiler, best known as the technical lead and author of the SAE AS-2C Architecture Analysis & Design Language (AADL) standard, retired from an esteemed 31-year career at the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) in April 2020. Throughout his time at SEI, Feiler made significant contributions to fields such as architecture …

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