- System definition
- Concept demonstration
- Interface management
- Trade-off analysis
- Hardware analysis
- Software analysis
- Requirements analysis
- Requirements specification
- Requirements tracing
- Hazard analysis
- Fault analysis
- Root cause analysis
- Maintainability analysis
- Ambiguity analysis
- What-if analysis
- Prototype development and testing
- Software development
- Verification and validation
- System certification
INTERLOCKS is a complete engineering tool maintaining a relational database and interactive graphics of the defined system. The tool uses on-the-fly drawing technology to create diagrams for input–process–output, logic and data flow, functional and physical component hierarchies, and operational sequence. These graphics are automatically updated as system inputs change and provide the basis for interface management, consistency checks, trade-off analysis, and links to other documentation.
INTERLOCKS modeling and simulation tool focuses analysis on events. System critical processes are modeled as sequences of binary events that have either occurred or not occurred. The model of these events demonstrates the defined safety system and the positive measures for hazard prevention. Using discrete event simulation and simple graphics, INTERLOCKS provides a prototype of the developing system and understanding of how the safety controls are used at the time of critical processing.
INTERLOCKS reduces cost and time to perform engineering and training tasks throughout the system lifecycle by supporting:
- Improved communication and understanding
- Increased engineering efficiency
- Reduced development time and cost
- Reduced system downtime
- Reduced maintenance costs
- Improved system user confidence