Pick up any software tool brochure and the chances are that it will reference the kind of idealized V-model software development lifecycle illustrated in functional safety standards such as IEC 61508, ISO 26262 and IEC 62304. Whether following a V-model from such a standard or deploying a more fashionable Agile methodology, there is an underlying common principle that appropriate requirements must be available in an appropriately detailed form before programming work can commence.

But life isn’t always like that. So when a team within Renishaw, one of the world's leading engineering and scientific technology companies, were faced with the task of re-engineering their established RESOLUTE true-absolute, fine pitch optical encoder system to meet the demands of IEC 61508 SIL2, they had to adjust and enhance established best practice in order to bring the product development process to an efficient conclusion.

This presentation will outline the thinking that was followed in order to meet this aim, and how by deploying an embedded engineering tool chain for a functionally safe system as a tool kit to be selectively applied, Renishaw were able to complete the development of the functionally-safe RESOLUTE FS encoder in an efficient and timely manner.