The objective of this scientific work is to research, test and develop an approach and design a safety architecture for highly safe, available and autonomous systems with regard to functional safety using degradation concepts. A novel, safety-oriented 4oo6 sensor structure targeting functional safety aspects has been thoroughly scientifically investigated, developed and validated. This Sensor Safety 4oo6 structure represents a major challenge as it integrates innovative approaches to improve system safety. The new safety strategy for autonomous systems enables operation in different modes and offers flexibility and adaptability. The 4oo6 safety architecture analyzed and developed in the scientific study has a self-monitoring structure that enables early detection of faults. This ensures that both the safety and availability of the system are maintained in the long term.

The new Safety 4oo6 structure represents a new challenge, as such an architecture does not yet exist in the IEC 61508 safety standard or in DIN EN 61511. With this new architecture, a significantly higher level of safety and availability can be achieved.