Guideline for the dependability-oriented design of self-optimizing systems

Self-optimizing systems are able to adapt their behavior autonomously according to their current self-determined objectives. Unforeseen influences could lead to dependability-critical behavior of the system. Methods are required which secure self-optimizing systems during operation. These methods to increase the dependability of the system should already be taken into consideration in the design process. This paper presents a guideline for the dependability-oriented design of self-optimizing systems, which integrates established classical methods like failure mode and effects analysis as well as methods based on self-optimization. On the one hand self-optimization is used to increase the dependability of the system by integrating objectives like safety, availability, and reliability to the objectives of the system. On the other hand methods are required to ensure the self-optimization itself. As basis for this guideline serves the principle solution of the system. The six phases of the guideline extend the design process and lead to an enhanced principle solution. Additionally, the guideline illustrates phases to implement and validate the self-optimizing system. The proposed guideline is applied to an innovative rail-bound vehicle, called RailCab, which is equipped with self-optimizing function modules.