How do you reduce risk in your flight control system?

1 Identify and analyze hazards

The first step to reduce risk is to identify and analyze the potential hazards that can affect your flight control system. These can include environmental factors, such as weather, turbulence, or electromagnetic interference, as well as system-related factors, such as sensor noise, actuator saturation, or software bugs. You can use tools such as fault tree analysis, failure modes and effects analysis, or hazard and operability analysis to systematically assess the likelihood and severity of each hazard and its impact on the system.

2 Apply redundancy and diversity

The second step to reduce risk is to apply redundancy and diversity to your flight control system. Redundancy means using multiple components or channels that can perform the same function in case one of them fails. Diversity means using different types or sources of components or channels that can reduce the common cause failures or correlated errors. For example, you can use multiple sensors of different technologies to measure the same variable, or multiple computers of different architectures to execute the same algorithm.

3 Implement fault detection and isolation

The third step to reduce risk is to implement fault detection and isolation (FDI) to your flight control system. FDI is the process of monitoring the system behavior and identifying the presence, location, and magnitude of any faults. FDI can help you diagnose the root cause of the problem, isolate the faulty component or channel, and activate the appropriate backup or contingency plan. You can use methods such as parity equations, observers, or neural networks to design FDI schemes for your system.

4 Design fault tolerant control

The fourth step to reduce risk is to design fault tolerant control (FTC) for your flight control system. FTC is the process of maintaining or restoring the system performance and stability in the presence of faults. FTC can help you avoid or mitigate the adverse effects of the faults on the system dynamics and behavior. You can use techniques such as reconfiguration, adaptation, or optimization to design FTC strategies for your system.

5 Test and validate your system

The fifth step to reduce risk is to test and validate your system before and after deployment. Testing and validation can help you verify that your system meets the design specifications and requirements, as well as detect and correct any errors or defects. You can use methods such as simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, or flight testing to test and validate your system under different scenarios and conditions.

6 Monitor and update your system

The sixth step to reduce risk is to monitor and update your system during operation. Monitoring and updating can help you track the system performance and health, as well as improve the system functionality and reliability. You can use tools such as data logging, telemetry, or software updates to monitor and update your system periodically or on demand.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?