TÜV Rheinland has certified the method used by IK4-IKERLAN to develop functional electronic safety systems in accordance with the IEC 61508 standard. The centre obtained this certification five years ago and has now renewed it to adapt it to improvements and regulatory changes. IK4-IKERLAN thus becomes one of the first entities in Europe, and the first in Spain, to achieve this recognition from one of the world's most experienced certification agencies.
This certification endorses the methodology used by IK4-IKERLAN to implement SIL 3 level electronic functional safety systems, that is, those that are used in applications whose good functioning is critical to the life of the people or the good state of infrastructures and expensive equipment.
Some examples of electronic systems of this type are those in our cars, which control the opening of airbags, or the good operation of the ABS braking system. These devices must comply with a series of procedures and specific measures to ensure the integrity of people.
IK4-IKERLAN develops systems of this type for applications used in sectors such as the rail industry, machine tools, or lifting. With this certification, TÜV Rheinland guarantees that the procedures, organisational structure, quality system and training of the personnel who develop the electronic systems implemented according to this methodology comply with the IEC 61508 standard.
“The renewal of the TÜV Rheinland certificate is the corroboration that our methodology, developed after many hours of study of the standard and its application in functional safety projects, is adequate,” said the IK4-IKERLAN researcher Amaia Urkidi. “We have a key background after years in this field, and our customers know that following our methodology facilitates the development and certification of their systems,” she added.
Examples of success
The centre is applying these methodologies in R&D projects carried out with different companies. For example, it is developing a security application based on one of the most innovative integrated circuits of a programmable device distributor. It is also working for the machine tool sector in the implementation of an electronic system for the safe protection of drivers and, finally, in the field of energy, it is implementing the control of the angle of rotation of wind turbine blades.