In the realm of critical and complex systems, meticulous design, analysis, verification, and validation are paramount. The primary goal is to minimize prototype failures, reduce root cause analysis and design cycles, and avert field failures and safety incidents. Customers increasingly demand robust safety, diagnostics, reliability, and logistic support analyses that adhere to relevant standards. While some engineers may view these analyses as burdensome, they can significantly enhance the system design process.

Enter MBSE

Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) has gained traction in recent years, though its principles have long been in practice under various guises. For instance, when an electrical engineer utilizes CAD software to design a circuit board, they are effectively engaging in MBSE.

Today’s advanced MBSE tools streamline system modeling, enhance traceability, and facilitate rigorous analysis and simulations. Choosing the right tool can save time and provide invaluable insights. Here are five key MBSE analyses that can empower you to make informed design decisions:

1. Circuit Verification

Designing complex electronic circuits is fraught with potential errors. Traditional Design Rule Checks (DRCs) often miss critical issues, resulting in prolonged and costly design cycles. BQR’s model-based circuit analysis tools, such as fiXtress® and CircuitHawk™, enable you to identify hidden design flaws before layout through:

• Advanced DRC with customizable rules

• Circuit simulation for component stress testing

• Component derating analysis

2. FMEA for Electronic Designs

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) has been a cornerstone in identifying single points of failure and critical failure modes. It also serves as the foundation for testability and diagnostic analysis, along with Fault Tree Analysis (FTA). BQR’s FMEA/FMECA software provides:

• CAD software integration for easy functional breakdown

• A comprehensive electronic components failure modes library

• A flexible Risk Matrix compliant with major standards

• Seamless integration with BQR’s MTBF prediction software

• In-depth Testability and Diagnostics Analysis

3. Reliability Analysis

High-reliability systems often feature redundancies and backups. During the early design phase, a "reliability allocation" is essential to outline redundancy architecture. As the design matures, BQR’s Reliability Block Diagram (RBD) software allows for:

• Modeling of complex systems with various redundancy types (hot, cold, standby)

• Sensitivity and numerical analysis, including Monte Carlo simulations

4. Safety Analysis

Functional safety analysis is critical for compliance with safety requirements in complex systems, which may include built-in tests and fault tolerance. Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) helps dissect severe safety events that may arise from combinations of failure modes. BQR’s FTA software facilitates:

• Effortless modeling of intricate safety events

• Consideration of various redundancies and protective layers

• Integration with BQR’s FMECA for comprehensive safety evaluations

5. Model-Based Logistic Support Analysis

Recent global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted the importance of Logistic Support Analysis (LSA) amid supply chain disruptions. Model-based LSA optimizes logistics strategies for systems, covering aspects such as:

• Spare part provisioning

• Stock location optimization

• Repair versus discard decisions

• Vendor selection

BQR’s apmOptimizer® is a cutting-edge model-based tool that empowers you to:

• Calculate expected lifecycle costs

• Optimize logistic support strategies

Conclusion

Leading companies are increasingly leveraging BQR’s MBSE tools for data-driven analysis and decision-making, resulting in improved safety, reliability, and maintainability of their systems. Embracing MBSE can transform your design process, ensuring that your systems not only meet but exceed customer expectations.