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Hardware
Software based

Software based –
Hardware Independent Safety. Functional Safety redefined.

Software-based functional safety up to SIL3 / PL e – on standard industrial hardware. No safety PLC. No lock-in.

  • SIL3 / PL e without dedicated safety hardware
  • Dual-diverse software architecture from a single IEC model
  • IPC, edge, and embedded capable (x86 and ARM)
  • Future-proof for software-defined automation
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Software based

Functional safety – completely software-defined

HIS (Hardware Independent Safety) is a software-based safety solution for implementing functional safety up to SIL3 / PL e on standard industrial PCs and embedded platforms – without the need for specialized, certified safety hardware.

By combining dual-diverse software architecture, IEC 61131-3 engineering, and a deterministic runtime, HIS enables safety-related control functions directly on IPCs, edge computing systems, or controller platforms.

A new approach for modern, powerful automation architectures.

Typical areas of application

Standalone or OEM-integrated – HIS adapts to your architecture.

PLC platforms
Motion controllers
Robotics & Cobots
Mobile automation
IPC & edge platforms
Your benefits at a glance
  • Reduced costs & shorter time-to-market
    Lower hardware BOM, less certification effort, and higher reusability

  • High safety performance with minimal overhead
    SIL3 / PL e with performance overhead < 2 thanks to a software-based dual-channel architecture

  • Hardware-independent & platform-open
    Runs on standard IPCs, embedded systems, and x86 and ARM architectures

  • Safe and non-safe on one hardware
    Run safe (SIL3 / PL e) and non-safe applications together on a standard PLC or IPC – without dedicated safety hardware

  • Seamless integration into IEC 61131-3 engineering workflows
    Extension of existing PLC processes instead of new development

  • Dual-diverse safety architecture from a single IEC model
    Two independent channels with cyclic mutual monitoring

  • Scalable from embedded to high-performance
    Single-core or multi-core design depending on performance and cost requirements
Technical highlights
Dual-diverse
software safety architecture

Two independent, diverse channels from an IEC 61131-3 model with cyclic mutual monitoring

Hardware-
independent
safety runtime

Deterministic runtime for standard industrial hardware (IPC, embedded, edge) without safety CPU or lockstep processors

Scalable
execution models

Support for parallel (multi-core) and sequential (single-core) safety execution

Containerized
runtime
environment
Clear separation of safety application and operating system for reproducible, portable deployment
Deterministic
scheduling

Time-predictable task execution for safety-related functions

Integrated
cross-checks &
monitoring

Cyclical plausibility checks, watchdog mechanisms, and diagnostic levels at the software level

Memory and
runtime protection mechanisms
Isolation of safety channels, including defined fail-safe responses
IEC 61131-3
based
engineering
Model-based development with automated code generation for safety applications
Black channel
capable safety
communication

Secure fieldbus communication independent of the underlying transport protocol

Platform and
operating system
independence

Designed for different operating systems and processor architectures (x86/ARM)

Do you also want to reach the next level of industrial automation? Then get in touch with us — our team of experts looks forward to hearing from you.
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Examples from 30 years of experience

Customer and partner solutions

Motion Control

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Automotive

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Building Automation

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Mobile Automation

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Robotics

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Sensors

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