Public defence in Automation and Control Engineering, M.Sc. Polina Ovsiannikova

The title of the thesis: Methods and tools aiding in the analysis of specification failures during the design process of safety-critical cyber-physical systems

Doctoral student: Polina Ovsiannikova
Opponent: Prof. Andrei Lobov, NTNU, Norway
Custos: Prof. Valeriy Vyatkin, Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering, Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation

The dissertation proposes novel methods and tools for user-friendly analysis of functional and non-functional requirements failures in safety-critical systems. Focusing on Instrumentation and Control (I&C) systems within nuclear power plants (NPPs), this research addresses critical gaps in engineering support during the design phase. The study introduces the method and tool, Oeritte, for visually explaining the results of functional requirement checks, providing insights into control programs. These checks are crucial in ensuring the safety and efficiency of I&C systems. 

The research tackles non-functional requirements by employing an ontological model of the overall I&C architecture, including principles such as defense-in-depth. This includes elements like physical separation, diversity, communication independence, and fault tolerance. The proposed method offers a toolset for designing these complex requirements. 

The tools and methods discussed in the dissertation will assist engineers during the design phase, enhancing the safety and functionality of I&C systems. The findings can also be applied to safety-critical systems in other domains, guiding the development process.

Thesis available for public display 10 days prior to the defence at: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/doc_public/eonly/riiputus/

Contact information:

Doctoral theses in the School of Electrical Engineering: https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/53