A Systems Viewpoint on the Integration of Subsystems Developed with Heterogeneous Safety Standards

James Inge and Katia Potiron , 19th International ERCIM/EWICS Workshop on Dependable Smart Embedded Cyber-Physical Systems and Systems-of Systems (DECSoS 2024), Florence, Italy, Lecture Notes in Computer Science vol. 14989, 9--20. Springer, Cham. ISBN 978-3-031-68738-9. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-68738-9_1

Abstract

Defence programmes are often characterized by a high level of complexity: in terms of the technical systems involved, their management and supply chain arrangements, and the dynamic nature of the risks involved. Existing safety standards like IEC 61508 provide a well-known framework for the functional safety of electrical, electronic, and programmable electronic safety-related systems, but do not address the complexity commonly found in such systems.

In IEC 63187-1, the International Electrotechnical Commission is drafting a new standard to provide a safety framework using modern systems engineering principles that build on ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288, and extending it with requirements to make it appropriate for critical systems in the defence sector. This paper discusses how IEC 63187-1 deals with the heterogeneity of safety realisation standards using two major concepts that are Measures of Importance and Design Criteria.