Method for fault analysis using simulation
First Claim
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1. A method of evaluating electrical systems through failure mode and effects analysis on a model of an electrical system executing as a simulation on a data processing system, the method comprising the steps executed on a data processing system of:
- generating a list of possible electrical signals from the model;
prompting a user to select signals from the list of possible electrical signals;
characterizing at least some of the components in the model of the electrical circuit with a set of global variables used to specify component tolerances;
generating and displaying a list of the tolerance controlled components to the user and prompting selection of tolerances for each component;
generating values for the components based on the selected tolerances and running at least two iterations of the model to determine an operating range of the model; and
calculating first and second iterations exhibiting the greatest variation in outcomes.
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Abstract
A utility for enhancing the interface of a electronic circuit simulator provides for selecting signals for monitoring, selecting groups of components for variation of tolerances and inserting faults to an underlying model of the circuit.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of evaluating electrical systems through failure mode and effects analysis on a model of an electrical system executing as a simulation on a data processing system, the method comprising the steps executed on a data processing system of:
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generating a list of possible electrical signals from the model;
prompting a user to select signals from the list of possible electrical signals;
characterizing at least some of the components in the model of the electrical circuit with a set of global variables used to specify component tolerances;
generating and displaying a list of the tolerance controlled components to the user and prompting selection of tolerances for each component;
generating values for the components based on the selected tolerances and running at least two iterations of the model to determine an operating range of the model; and
calculating first and second iterations exhibiting the greatest variation in outcomes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A utility program for enhancing a user interface of an electrical circuit simulation program, comprising:
a plurality of views for display on a computer display including, a signals list including a signals available sublist and a signals selected sublist, a device parameter view in which every component of the electrical circuit may be viewed and its tolerances selected, and a time slots view from which instances during a simulation may be selected for capturing values of the signals in the selected signals list are captured. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of implementing fault mode and effects analysis using an electronic circuit simulation program comprising the steps of:
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generating a list of circuit signals for monitoring;
selecting component tolerances;
running the simulation program for the electronic circuit iteratively while varying component tolerances to develop operating ranges for the list of circuit signals;
inserting faults to the electronic circuit; and
running the simulation program for the fault modified electronic circuit while varying the component tolerances to determine out of range operation.
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Specification