System and method for authorizing and executing safe semi-autonomous engagement of a safety-critical device

A method for authorizing and executing safe semi-autonomous engagement of a safety critical firing device at a remote location, comprising:

• providing, at a near location, a Human Machine Interface with input means comprising at least one hardware safety barrier and hardware barrier communication means with interfaces connected to a network providing at least three different signal communication channels,
• providing, at the remote location, a control unit and connecting it to a fire control system of the safety critical firing device and to the network, where the control unit comprises at least one hardware safety barrier and hardware barrier communication means with interfaces connected to the network, making a closed loop signal communication channel carried on the network between the hardware safety barrier of the Human Machine Interface and the control unit,
• transmitting control signals, carried on a first signal communication channel of the network, from the Human Machine Interface to the control unit, where the signals comprise activation control signals (PALM) for activating the safety critical firing device,
• transferring the activation control signals (PALM) from the control unit to the fire control system of the safety critical device,
• when activated, the safety critical firing device executes integrated target detection SW on an Robotic Operator Server for detecting and locking on a target, providing authorization information carried on a second signal communication channel of the network to the Human Machine Interface, and requesting authorization for engagement,
• transmitting arming control signals (ARM) from the Human Machine Interface to the control unit over a third signal communication channel carried on the closed loop signal communication channel of the network when authorization of engagement is confirmed by an operator via the Human Machine Interface,
• transferring the arming control signals (ARM) from the control unit to a fire control system of the safety critical device for arming a selected firing device,
• transferring a trigger signal (TRIG) from the Robotic Operator Server to the fire control system, if authorization is provided through the arming control signals (ARM), and if locked on target is consistent,
• engaging the safety critical firing device if the following criteria are met:
• the fire control system receives the activation control signals (PALM) and the arming control signals (ARM) from the control unit as an authorization from the operator, the authorization is confirmed and the fire control system receives the trigger signal (TRIG) from the Robotic Operator Server.