ABSTRACT
Nowadays novel platforms are targeted for implementing reliable and safety-related systems in embedded applications. On the one hand, complete robust and high-efficient computing systems can be integrated into a very small area of silicon due to the continuing development of semiconductor technologies. In such system-on-chip all individual components of an embedded computing system can be integrated into a single silicon die at lowest level which in turn contributes in saving the substantial space and reduces power consumption and production costs. With the consideration of the miniaturization of safety-related systems into such system-on-chips, where usually complete redundant architectures along with memory and interfaces are integrated into small silicon structures, many advantages can be taken into account. These advantages extend to all levels of the development cycle. On the other hand, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) as a target platform for reliable and safety-related applications in terms of functional safety are covered by several safety standards, especially the second edition of the standard IEC 61508, which offers a wide set of requirements, measures and methodologies for integrating safety-related systems into integrated circuits. In this paper an architecture concept of the integration of a SIL 3 safety-related system-on-chip based on ASICs is presented. Therefore the necessary requirements conforming to the standard IEC 61508 are introduced. Afterwards, implementation aspects on an ASIC platform are discussed. An evaluation of the presented architecture and future works conclude the paper.
