SysML safety profile for mechatronics

Safety analysis of mechatronic systems is a time-consuming activity, because of the complexity of these systems that involve different fields of engineering. It is desirable to carry out safety assessment methods as soon as possible in the design process in order to reduce errors, cost and time to market of the system. Our paper addresses this problem by proposing a safety profile that is integrated directly with the modeling elements of the system via SysML, a model-based systems engineering language. Failure modes of each function and each component, their causes, their effects as well as their severity are modeled via stereotypes or tag definitions that extend the existing UML elements. These failure data can be 1) entered directly by systems engineers when possible; and then 2) generated automatically for safety experts' work; and also 3) updated from safety analysis results. Our integrated systems engineering and safety analysis process helps to narrow the gap between these two disciplines by ensuring the consistency in the whole process. A case study with an electromechanical actuator is given to illustrate the process as well as the safety profile.