Reliability analysis of complex data processing structures by means of fault trees

Fault trees are becoming more and more the preferred means for describing reliability problems since they contain the basic information for their solution in an extremely clear form. The proper structuring of more complex fault trees is the main topic of this report; complex data processing structures are a main field of application. Specifically, hints and examples for the stepwise top-down analytical analysis and logical synthesis of fault trees are presented. In both cases a recursive procedure is possible. The appendix contains a procedure for calculating availability and mean time between failures (MTBF) via the fault tree. © 1977 De Gruyter Oldenbourg. All rights reserved.