Question

Part 1

Systems engineering is said to be a disciplined process. Why do system failures still occur? Choose an example of a technology or system failure (Examples: early airbags, Titanic, Challenger or Columbia disasters). Then respond to the following in discussion:

Explain reasons for the failure. Use figures and/or other visual aids to explain your answer.

Identify and explain any system acquisition processes that were not followed that may have contributed to the failure.

You may also use your own relevant experience.

Answer 1

System as a word says has lots of input parameter to consider and in terms of control system conatins lots of feedback and elctrical and mechnical device coordinating with each other to perform any designed task .

Due to this multidependency there is possibilty of failure although compnies try to minimize it but even than they give precaution to use any of there system and tellls the range for sucessfull operation.

thats why even in todays world where most things are automateed we still rely on human intervention to stop or start any process because of the chanc of malfuntion of any system.

Lets understsnd this with example of airbags

airbags system has simple function it has to operate when fast deaccleartion occus in vehicle and sen the signal from airbag sensor to airbag microcontroller unit where the speed of vehicle and yaw speed and other inputs are sensed by airbag microcontroller

.

Now system in case of accident airbag sensor has to pic the rapid deaccelartion in speed and send signal to microconteroller in 40 millisecond in order to protect the driver .

this time frame puts pressure on designer to make sensor operate quickle and exactly only when deacclection is off accident range not normal deaccleration

second this airbag sensor some time get affeted by moisture and gets errosion and may not work and work in delay and cause failure.

second if speed sensor of vehicle is not working sensor will malfuntion becaue its one of input is speed.

In order to avoid this system failure in airbags many companies put two sensor in case of mal operation in one other can work this ensure higher safety of paseenger.