How to guarantee or maintain the functionality of a complex and safety critical system

摘要

The aim of the invention is to guarantee or maintain the functions of a complex safety-critical integral system, such as a motor vehicle regulation system, e.g. an electric, electrohydraulic or electromechanical braking system (brake-by-wire), a steering system (steering-by-wire) etc., when errors or malfunctions occur. This is achieved by a method, according to which the integral system is subdivided into mutually independent system components (1-3), in accordance with the findings of an error source analysis. Operating modes (modes 1-5) are defined and when errors occur in the integral system, the error sources are analysed and the operating modes that are affected by said errors are determined. Operating modes are selected from the modes that remain unaffected by the errors. i.e. available operating modes of the individual system components (1-3), based on the error analysis (4) and according to the specifications of a selection system (5), said modes guaranteeing an optimal or predetermined behaviour of the integral system, or at least the maintenance of the functions of the integral system.