Industrial Automation Software Testing Tools

Embedded Software in the Industrial Sector

As industrial processes grow more complex, embedded software is increasingly critical in industrial automation. Systems like HVAC, security, and process control now integrate functional safety, making software quality essential. The high costs of software failure—including financial loss, reputational damage, and even loss of life—are pushing industry leaders to improve safety-critical software.

Standards like IEC 62304, originally for medical devices, are being adopted in industrial automation to enhance software life cycle management. It also highlights the importance of following coding standards like MISRA and CERT to ensure both compliance and safety.

By prioritizing software quality, the industry not only improves safety but also meets stringent international standards.

Read the Industrial Automation Sector Brief

Key Standards for Industrial Automation Software Quality

IEC 61508, Functional Safety of Electrical / Electronic / Programmable Electronic Safety-related Systems, is a widely adopted international standard in industrial automation and other sectors. It provides a comprehensive framework to ensure that safety-related systems meet strict safety requirements throughout their life cycle, covering the design, development, and maintenance of programmable electronic systems in safety-critical applications.

A key aspect of IEC 61508 is the emphasis on coding standards like MISRA and CERT to ensure high-quality, reliable software. MISRA focuses on safety-critical coding in C programming, while CERT provides secure coding guidelines to prevent vulnerabilities. Both are essential for developing robust software where system failures could have severe consequences.