Safety and Embedded Systems holistically reviewed

In today’s world there is no way around systems with high software intensity.
On one hand we find them in process and industrial automation, as well as in medical technology, but on the other side also in consumer electronics, IT and household appliance technology. However, there shall be no danger emanating from them. The operation of software in safety relevant control applications or in control applications where a high degree of reliability is expected, places highly increased requirements on appliances and systems in respect to risk analysis, FMEAs, system architecture, development, approval and maintenance and therefore on the evaluation of the safety of the software.

The evaluation of the complete system, the combination of hardware, software, system environment and, as an essential factor, the human being with its interactions, gains more and more importance.
The development of error-free software is still one of the great challenges, in spite of the enormous improvement of software technology within the last 25 years. Correctly working software is the ultimate prerequisite for the safe operation especially for safety critical applications with highest quality requirements such as for example within medical technology, aerospace, automotive technology, data security as well as the control of technical installations.

But also in the area of household appliances, electrical tools and other consumer products the topic “Software Safety” has gained in importance, not the least for economic and legal reasons.
Today, the safety of appliances, machinery, installations and systems is increasingly dependent on the correct functioning of the electronic control systems. Malfunctions of control systems can lead to dangerous situations and can thus endanger persons and investments.

In order to exclude these hazards, the relevant control systems have to comply with specific requirements in relation to the functional safety. In the concrete practice the challenge remains to adjust and design the development processes for the generation of software systems in a way that the requirements of customers and users are fulfilled with the necessary quality. Today, the best possible protection against software errors is provided by formal specification and verification methods. Their application places high demands on the user and requires the use of intelligent support tools (e.g. proof of correctness characteristics).