RELIABILITY AND SAFETY ANALYSIS OF FAULT-TOLERANT AND FAIL-SAFE NODE FOR USE IN A RAILWAY SIGNALING SYSTEM

In this paper, we propose a Markov Reliability model for a transputer based fail safe and fault tolerant node for use in a network of distri buted safety critical railway signalling systems. Using the Markov mod el we quantify the reliability and safety in terms of Probability of b eing in unsafe state, Probability of Safe shutdown during the useful l ife period and last phase of bath-tub curve. A fault analysis of the f ail safe and fault tolerant node addressing Byzantine (malicious) faul ts with an extension of Byzantine General's problem is given. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limited.