The role of CUTLASS in software reliability

Describes the approach taken within the CEGB to control system software reliability in major control and instrumentation refurbishments in power stations. The CEGB has adopted a policy of using a real-time software system developed in-house to cater for computer control, plant monitoring and operator displays in power stations. This is known as CUTLASS (Computer User´s Technical Language And Software System). Within PowerGen there are approximately 300 CUTLASS control computers (targets) undertaking primarily boiler control. The means adopted within CUTLASS to provide reliability in two aspects are described: the software must work as intended, and it must behave correctly in a control sense. Means to protect the plant against both hardware and software failures are also briefly described