A benchmark system for the assessment of reliability modeling methods for digital instrumentation and control systems in nuclear plants

This paper presents a candidate system for use as a benchmark in the assessment of methods for the reliability modeling of digital instrumentation and control (I and C) systems. The system specification is based closely on a steam generator feedwater control system in an operating pressurized water reactor. Several failure scenarios that demonstrate the benchmark system's ability to address the features of loosely control-coupled digital I and C systems are discussed. (authors)