A Discussion on the Use of Model Based Reliability for Improving the Results of the Reliability Analysis and FMEA/FMECA of a Satellite Program 2011-36-0403

Systems such as satellites, aircrafts, automobiles and air traffic controls are becoming increasingly complex and highly integrated, as prescribed by the SAE ARP 4754 Standard. They integrate many technologies and they work in very demanding environments, sometimes with little or no maintenance, due to the severe conditions of operation. To survive such harsh operating conditions, they require very high levels of reliability, to be reached by a diversity of approaches, processes, components, etc. By their turn, the processes of analysis and decision making shall be improved progressively, as experience accumulates and suggests modifications. Most of this can be translated in models.

According to this philosophy, in this work, we discuss the use of Model Based Reliability for improving the results of the Reliability Analysis and FMEA/FMECA of a satellite program, as those conducted at the National Institute for Space Research-INPE, since 1979.

To do that, we discuss the following steps: 1) Search the literature for the available approaches for model based reliability and select the best fitted to our satellite programs according to some criteria as: time, cost, quality, availability of data, ease of implementation, etc. 2) Anticipate components data to obtain failures rates and failures modes to adjust the model(s); 3) Anticipate results about the Reliability Analysis (Reliability Prediction and Derating Analysis) and FMEA/FMECA (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis/ Failure Mode and Criticality Analysis) during the execution of the project steps, even using the adjusted model(s); 4) Completely obtain and document all the information needed for the CDR (Critical Design Review), even using the adjusted model(s).

Based on all that, we intend to show that the steps discussed in this work can improve the processes of analysis and decision making already adopted in INPE satellite programs; and that they may be adapted to other projects of satellites, aircrafts, automobiles and air traffic controls in the aerospace, automotive and information technology industries.