Software safety analysis in heterogeneous multiprocessor control systems

The integration of software fault tree analysis and timed Petri nets to facilitate software safety analysis in heterogeneous multiprocessor control systems is discussed. Any system analysis done using software fault trees may also be done by using Petri nets, but the mechanics of doing the Petri net analysis may be cumbersome. The authors present an example of analysis, proving that the design of a change in the flight control system of the A-6 fighter/bomber prevents an important hazard, inadvertent missile launch during practice. Drawing on this example analysis, a general technique for integrating these two analysis techniques using a semantic model for information sharing between the techniques during the analysis is described