Securement of mechatronic .Context and hardware architecture

Mechatronic systems are becoming more and more complex, leading to more and more frequent failures, which need to be countered to limit the risk by a set of techniques grouped together under the term system safety. The focus is on two components of mechatronic systems:

• hardware architecture" aspects (electronic component) ;

• software application" aspects (IT component).

The risk associated with the mechanical component is not dealt with here, and the reader is referred to the dossier on integrating safety into machine design [BM 5 007] .

This first article [BM 8 070] focuses on techniques for securing electronic hardware architecture, with a reminder of the basic principles of dependability and a definition of the obstacles that can affect the proper functioning of a system. The standard IEC 61508 characterizes the requirements for demonstrating the safety of an E/E/EP (electrical/electronic/programmable electronic) system. This standard has been adapted for use in various fields (railways, automotive, etc.). Techniques for ensuring the safety of these electronic architectures, such as fault detection, diversity, time redundancy, hardware redundancy, data redundancy and recovery, are illustrated by examples, all of which are representations of real applications in different fields (aeronautics, railways, automotive, space, nuclear...). A second article [BM 8 071] covers techniques for securing software applications.