Use of field-programmable gate arrays in nuclear I&C safety systems : Case stepwise shutdown system

Lauri Lötjönen, Jukka Ranta, Jussi Lahtinen, Janne Valkonen, Jan-Erik Holmberg

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientific

    Abstract

    Software-based safety systems have become increasingly common in nuclear power plants. Due to their complexity, software applications can almost never be exhaustively tested and proved error-free. FPGA technology could alleviate these problems with the less complex hardware and flexible capabilities of software. As FPGA technology is rather new in the nuclear industry, there are currently no commonly accepted regulations or guidance directly addressing the use of FPGAs in NPPs. This paper presents how we implement two variants of an I&C safety system called Stepwise Shutdown System using FPGA technology. One of the variants contains a design error, and the other is free of errors. We demonstrate how the nuclear domain I&C systems can be designed using this technology, and show how the design error in the I&C design was found using simulation and hardware tests.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the Automaatio XX seminar
    PublisherSuomen automaatioseura
    ISBN (Print)978-952-5183-44-3
    Publication statusPublished - 2013
    MoE publication typeB3 Non-refereed article in conference proceedings
    EventAutomaatio XX seminar - Helsinki, Finland
    Duration: 22 May 201322 May 2013

    Publication series

    SeriesSuomen automaatioseura. Julkaisusarja
    Volume42
    ISSN1455-6502

    Seminar

    SeminarAutomaatio XX seminar
    Country/TerritoryFinland
    CityHelsinki
    Period22/05/1322/05/13

    Keywords

    • FPGA
    • field-programmable gate array
    • nuclear I&C
    • V&V
    • verification
    • validation

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