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The importance of functional safety design has recently grown with the increasing widespread application of electric/electronic (E/E) systems in today's automotive industry. Such E/E systems, usually composed of mechatronic actuators, various sensors, and electronic control units (ECU), have become too complex to be handled in the conventional quality management manner that was used for most predominantly mechanical applications. ISO/DIS 26262, an adaptation of the pre-existing IEC 61508 requirements specifically for the automotive industry, has been prepared as the global standard to meet such demands for a more structured and systematic approach to functional safety design. The functional safety concept design includes a hazard analysis and risk assessment phase that is based on ASIL (Automotive Safety Integrity Level) categorization. ASIL has four levels, A, B, C, and D, where A has the lowest risk and D has the highest.

Brake-By-Wire (BBW) is a term used to describe next generation brake systems that rely on motor driven electro-mechanical calipers in place of conventional hydraulic components such as the booster, master cylinder, hydraulic unit, and parking brake. Instead the system configuration is simplified to a pedal simulator, electro-mechanical calipers that require no boosting, and electric control units. The active, highly-responsive, and independent control of the brake actuators at each wheel allows for great control flexibility and improved brake performance. It is also very well-suited for easy integration with cooperative regenerative braking and driver assistance functions. Although such potential and innovations have driven the interest and research into BBW systems through the years, it has yet to be successfully introduced in series production mainly due to the underlying perception of the lack of reliability of electronic components and overall cost concerns.