Analysis and quantification of systems – a formalized definition of reliability topologies and characteristic values for system quantification

The necessity for analysis, quantification, and optimization of mechatronic systems is growing in importance. Mechatronic systems combine methods and approaches from the mechanical, the electrical, and the information science domains. To make quantification of systems possible, the interfaces between these domains have to be described in a reusable manner. Especially during the development process, mechatronic systems need to be quantified with respect to their reliability characteristics. Decisions at an early design phase with respect to topology and hardware parameters regarding satisfying the requirements have to be quantified with respect to their reliability properties. The strongest requirements by law are focused on reliability and safety-oriented aspects of safety-relevant systems or components. This approach introduces a method supporting reliability evaluation from the early stage of design through to production. Here a new form of system structure description is introduced. This allows for the description of conflicts between several additional aspects such as cost and spatial needs, and possibly the consideration of alternatives. Based on the previously-mentioned description, parametrical and structural optimization can be realized, which will be the focus of forthcoming papers. This paper describes the necessary formal step from system specification to the formal system description. During the design stage, when relevant system factors are determined, the system architecture is designed and a function-oriented topology tree is generated. The development of a reliability-oriented topology, considering the reliability-oriented aspects, can be carried out. In particular, costs, as important parameters for decisions about product design and production, can be integrated and considered. This approach deals with the formalized quantification of system reliability-related topology and related interdependencies with respect to the reliability characteristics. Therefore all domains of the mechatronic systems are considered.