Component Fault and Deficiency Trees for AI/ML Safety Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional safety analysis techniques for safety-critical systems, such as Component Fault Trees, fail to adequately address functional insufficiencies and deficiencies in AI/ML-based systems, neglecting hazards resulting from these issues and lacking sufficient mitigation measures.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for generating a Component Fault and Deficiency Tree (CFDT) that incorporates both failures and deficiencies, using a tuple structure to model multi-component systems with internal fault tree logic, mitigation logic, and Boolean gates to connect events and mitigate potential hazards, enabling comprehensive safety analysis for AI/ML-based systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional Component Fault Tree methods are used for safety analysis, then the analysis structure is simple and established, but functional insufficiencies and deficiencies in AI/ML-based systems are not addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the safety analysis model into distinct components: traditional failure modes and new deficiency modes. By dividing the analysis into separate event types (failures vs. functional insufficiencies), the methodology can systematically address both conventional and AI/ML-specific hazards while maintaining the structured approach of traditional FTA
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to traditional fault tree analysis by introducing deficiency events as a separate dimension alongside failure events. This dimensional expansion allows the analysis to capture functional insufficiencies specific to AI/ML systems without losing the benefits of traditional failure mode analysis
2Adaptability or versatility
If Component Fault Trees are extended to include deficiencies, then coverage of AI/ML hazards is improved, but model complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal safety analysis model that can handle both traditional failures and AI/ML deficiencies through a unified event structure. The same fault tree framework and analysis methods apply to both failure modes and deficiency modes, allowing the model to serve multiple purposes without requiring separate analysis procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter space of the fault tree model by adding deficiency events as a new parameter type alongside traditional failure events. This parameter extension allows the model to represent a broader range of system behaviors while maintaining compatibility with existing FTA mathematical frameworks and analysis tools
3Reliability
If mitigation measures are added for deficiencies, then safety of intended functionality is improved, but analysis effort and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary identification and classification of deficiency modes before conducting detailed mitigation analysis. By pre-categorizing functional insufficiencies into structured deficiency events with defined characteristics, the methodology prepares the analysis framework in advance, reducing the time required for subsequent mitigation measure development and implementation
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a computer-implemented method for generating a Component Fault and Deficiency Tree of a multi-component system the method including:a. modeling the multi-component system using a Component Fault and Deficiency Tree,b. the Component Fault and Deficiency Tree includes a plurality of component fault and deficiency tree elements associated with the respective components;c. each component fault and deficiency tree element includes at least one inport and at least one outport;d. each component fault and deficiency tree element includes at least two events as internal fault tree logic;e. at least one gate,f. each component fault and deficiency tree element includes at least one mitigation logic;g. at least one Boolean AND-Gate, configured to connect the internal fault tree logic and the at least one mitigation logic; andh. providing the generated Component Fault and Deficiency Tree of the multi-component system as output.