Automated modeling and prototyping approach for failure detection and isolation

The authors describe a systems modeling approach for design and analysis of failure prevention, detection, and isolation. The modeling approach was applied to the (Boeing 747-400 airplane) to study its effectiveness in accurately representing various on-board systems and analyzing their failure detection, isolation, and propagation. The modeling approach is based on use of state transition diagrams as well as functional and information flow diagrams. The model presented, which is executable and testable, includes the Boeing 747-400 electrical power generation and distribution system, the communications system, the central maintenance system, and the user interface system for interaction with the crew. Results of failures injected in the model for analysis of various scenarios are presented.<>