Correct functioning of safety-critical systems
The aim of all measures relating to functional safety is to prevent disproportionately high risks caused by malfunctions in electrical and electronic systems that could potentially endanger people, the environment or property.
In a world of increasing automation, more and more control systems and control components are taking over the operation of devices, machines and even entire industrial processes. Similarly, more and more safety functions have to be implemented. As a result, safety-related system developments are becoming increasingly complex. This complexity in turn means that the demands on manufacturers and suppliers are increasing, making the topic of functional safety indispensable in development areas. Nobody wants to bear the liability risks for damage caused, especially to people.
Due to EU Directive 85/374/EEC, which will be replaced by the new EU Directive 2024/2853 at the end of 2026 and thereby toughened, the manufacturer of a product is generally liable for damage caused by the malfunction of its product. Unless this defect was not recognizable according to the state of the art in science and technology at the time the product was brought to market.
Industry-specific standards
The experts at NTC Systems know more than just the theoretical processes of functional safety. We are practitioners – with many years of experience in the development of safety-related electrics and electronics in accordance with the applicable safety standards, laws and guidelines in many industrial sectors. The specifications for the individual processes and the technical implementation of functional safety must be observed in each case. The ISO 26262 standard for road vehicles, for example, is an adaptation of the IEC 61508 nut standard to the specific conditions in the automotive sector.
- Automotive | ISO 26262
- Railroad technology | EN50126, EN50128, EN50129
- Mechanical engineering | DIN 16590, IEC 61508, ISO 62061, DIN/EN 61511, ISO 13849, ISO 25119
- Medical technology | IEC 60601, IEC 61508, IEC 62304, ISO 13485, ISO 14971
- Automation/process industry | IEC61508, IEC 61511
Measures from these industry-specific standards must be implemented in order to achieve risk avoidance in line with the state of the art in science and technology.
Seamless Safety in E/E Development Processes
NTC Systems carries out the entire safety-relevant development process for you! Together we implement your project step by step.
- Planning including safety plan
- Creating a system description
- Carrying out risk analyses
- Specification of requirements and creation of architectures (system, components, hardware, software)
- Carrying out reviews – checking both content and conformity to the standard
- Carrying out safety analyses – FMEA, FTA, FMEDA, HAZOP, MTBF calculation
- Creation and check of test specifications
- Creating safety notices
- Carrying out pre-assessments and preparing assessments
Your Benefits
Legal advantages
- The risk of liability under the Product Liability Act is minimized.
- The risk of criminal prosecution due to negligence is minimized.
Technical advantages
- Quality increases through adherence to suitable development and production processes.
Organizational advantages
- NTC Systems expands the capacities for your project so that the FuSa-specific, necessary roles are mapped.
Reference Projects on Functional Safety
NTC Systems has demonstrated its expertise in functional safety in these exemplary projects:
- Pkw Headup Display with glare protection (ASIL B)
- Module for evaluating an inductive track switch position sensor (SIL 4)
- Process extension to fulfill ISO 26262 for customers in the field of magnetic sensors
- Conducting and testing safety analyses for battery management systems (ASIL C)
- Safety Management for the lighting system of a Robotaxi (ASIL B)
Your Added Value
With NTC Systems you get everything from a single source, at calculable and comprehensible costs, with clearly defined results!
NTC Systems’ aim is to provide customers with tailored solutions to achieve functional safety in their specific projects. Our expertise is not limited to theoretical knowledge of functional safety processes – rather, we are practitioners with many years of experience in the development of safety-related systems in accordance with the above-mentioned standards.
Comprehensive Services Portfolio for Functional Safety
Questions and Answers on Functional Safety
Functional safety in electronic systems and devices to prevent accidents with damage and fatalities.
What is functional safety – why and for what?
Functional Safety …
- … is part of the overall security of a system
- … concerns electronic systems and related software
- … examines security aspects in relation to system functions
- … identifies potentially dangerous conditions, situations or events that could lead to accidents, cause harm to someone or destroy something.
- … enables corrective or preventive measures to be taken to avoid or reduce the effects of an accident.