Modeling, Simulation, and Other Techniques to Verify and Validate Prognostic and Health Maintenance (PHM) Capabilities

Scientific Monitoring, Inc. (SMI) proposes to develop and mature an advanced modeling and simulation technology for verifying and validating (V&V) system/vehicle health management (S/VHM) capability. The technology is intended to provide an effective, affordable, flexible demonstration and evaluation environment to mature Prognostics and Health Management/Maintenance (PHM) as well as integrated control and PHM software throughout their product life cycles. The research addresses the following needs: 1) Advanced flight-worthy software such as the PHM or Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) software are being developed for advanced vehicles like the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), there is a need to V&V advanced software and continue to mature (improve and update) the software even after it is fielded. 2) V&V is typically the most costly and time-consuming step in the development of flight-critical software due to rigorous safety requirements. Technologies that make V&V more affordable are desired. 3) Traditional V&V is a process that occurs throughout System Design (design-time techniques). Although limited run-time assurance methods, such as the built-in-test (BIT), are used, the risk of the software is high. An integrated design-time and run-time assurance technique is needed to systematically reduce complexity and risk of software development as well as maintain or increase safety margins.