Expertiza_Wiki - User contributions [en]

Team2/team4

2009-03-17T01:55:50Z

Unctlt7:

=Airbus 380 Software Flaw=
'''Provide an overview of this ethical controversy and links to information relevant for each set of ethical concerns cited.'''

'''Cover information contained in both articles:'''
* [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/boeingaerospace/2002534201_airbuswhistleblower02.html Seattle Times]
* [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2005/10/15/ccairb15.xml Telegraph.co.uk]

'''''Included below are two excerpts that give an overview of the content of this topic:'''''

"Mr Mangan claims a defect in the outflow valve control system could lead to an abrupt loss of cabin pressure, leaving passengers unconscious in as little as 20 seconds. "Normal oxygen masks don't work properly above 33,000 feet. Anybody over forty or over-weight is at a high risk of embolisms," he said."

"Airbus dismissed fears about the A380 as baseless. "We have examined this internally and found absolutely no reason to be concerned. The scenario made up by Mr Mangan does not exist," said spokesman David Voskuhl."

"TTTech falsely classified its micro-chip as a simple "off-the-shelf" product already used in car valves in order to except it from elaborate testing rules, he claimed. This would breach both EU and US law on aircraft regulation. "I refused to sign off on the test results, but TTTech went ahead anyway," he claimed."

"TTTech denies the allegations, calling him a disgruntled ex-employee who never fitted into the team, and is now bent on revenge."

Source: [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2005/10/15/ccairb15.xml Telegraph.co.uk]

"Most passenger jets have two cabin-pressure valves, with separate motors operating each. But because aircraft makers want redundancy on safety systems the planes have three motors for each valve, with different chips controlling each motor. [...] Most jetliners also have a manual override so that the pilot can take control in an emergency. [...] The company elected to go with four outflow valves on the A380, with only one motor on each valve, which are slightly larger than a cabin window. Each motor uses a TTTech controller chip, and there is no backup manual-override system."

"Mangan says the European aerospace establishment is whitewashing his claims because of enormous cost savings that will be realized if TTTech's chips are approved for the A380.
TTTech's chip originally was designed for use in autos and the company is trying to get it certified as an existing, "commercial off-the-shelf" product that is acceptable for the A380, according to court records.
Mangan, however, alleges that the chip is being customized for aviation purposes, and thus must undergo stringent testing before being approved by regulators.
If regulators decide that TTTech's chip is a simple commercial device and can be used in the A380, it would then be available for other new aircraft without having to pass costly safety reviews."

Source: [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/boeingaerospace/2002534201_airbuswhistleblower02.html Seattle Times]

==Overview==
====History====
Joseph Mangan, a former employee of TTTech Computertechnik, blew the whistle on Airbus and TTTech regarding the safety of the cabin pressure system on the Airbus A380 aircraft in September 2004 by contacting the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). TTTech supplies some components to Airbus for the A380, and has been accused by Mangan of "intentional non-compliance" with aviation safety rules, at least partially because they were under great pressure from Airbus to meet deadlines.

Mangan claimed that a flaw existed in the outflow valve control system, which uses TTTech controllers, that could result in a sudden loss of air pressure in the cabin. Such a loss of air pressure would result in passengers quickly losing consciousness, with other possible health consequences. One of the primary concerns generated by this claim was the lack of different backup systems to prevent the same problem from affecting all the valves at the same time.

====Results of the Whistleblowing====
Airbus and TTTech both denied there was a problem - TTTech went further by accusing Mangan of being a disgruntled ex-employee trying to get revenge. The EASA found that TTTech was not in compliance with safety rules and was not conducting appropriate tests, and the microchip at the heart of the controversy was deemed unacceptable: in the end EASA told Airbus to resolve the problem before the A380's final certification.

Within a few days of reporting the suspected violations at TTTech, Mangan was fired and sued for defamation. TTTech also obtained a gag order, which Mangan then violated. Many of Mangan's difficulties stem from the lack of Austrian laws protecting whistle-blowers from retribution by their employers. Mangan has tried to get a new job, but has not been able to get a response from companies in the aerospace industry.

==Table of Contents==
<h3>General</h3>
<ul>
<li>[http://www.csl.sri.com/users/neumann/air.html Computer Security in Aviation: Vulnerabilities, Threats, and Risks]
Peter G. Neumann <em>SRI Computer Science Laboratory</em> </li>
<li>[http://sunnyday.mit.edu/papers/smcit.doc Fault Protection in a Component-Based Spacecraft Architecture]

Elwin C. Ong and Nancy G. Leveson <em>MIT</em> <img src="new.gif"></li>

</ul>

<h3>Conflicting Views</h3>
<ul>
<li>[http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2006/07/31/060731ta_talk_surowiecki The Fatal-Flaw Myth]
The Financial Page by James Surowiecki, The New Yorker</li>
<li>[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/13/business/worldbusiness/13airbus.html?ei=5088&en=9c624e9920538fcd&ex=1318392000&partner=rssnyt&pagewanted=print Airbus Moves to Rewire Its Management First]
By MARK LANDLER, The New York Times</li>
</ul>

<h3>New uses of software</h3>
<ul>
<li>[http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0711/p03s04-usgn.html On space station, droids get a workout]
Peter N. Spotts <em>Christian Science Monitor</em> <img src="new.gif"></li>

<li>[http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/103/C8827/ Anti-hijack software controls planes from the ground]
T.O. Whenham <em>Mobile Magazine</em> <img src="Aviation%20safety.php_files/new.gif"></li>
</ul>

<h3>Software Malfunctions</h3>
<ul>
<li>[http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/465-full.html#190603 Pilots Battle Computer For Control Of 777]

The AVweb Editorial Staff <em>AVweb</em> <img src="Aviation%20safety.php_files/new.gif"></li>
<li>[http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/23.12.html#subj2.1 B747-400 Electronic flight displays rendered inoperative]
Peter B. Ladkin <em>The RISKS Digest</em> <img src="Aviation%20safety.php_files/new.gif"></li>
<li>[http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/24.03.html#subj3.1 Flight Control System Software Anomalies]

Peter B. Ladkin <em>The RISKS Digest</em> <img src="Aviation%20safety.php_files/new.gif"></li>
</ul>

<h3>Effects of portable electronic devices</h3>
<ul>
<li>[http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases06/060228_cellphone.html Carnegie Mellon Researchers Find Cell Phones Pose Greater Risk to Airplane Navigation Than Previously Believed]
<em>Carnegie Mellon University</em> <img src="Aviation%20safety.php_files/new.gif"></li>

<li>[http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/print/3069 Unsafe At Any Airspeed?]
<em>IEEE</em> <img src="Aviation%20safety.php_files/new.gif"></li>
<li>[http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/23.54.html#subj2.1 Tests show cell phones don't disrupt navigation systems]
NewsScan <em>The RISKS Digest</em> <img src="Aviation%20safety.php_files/new.gif"></li>
</ul>

<h3>Aviation standards</h3>
<ul>
<li>[http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAD.nsf/0/94171A756992D0408625708300551865?OpenDocument&Highlight=software Airworthiness Directive]

<em>FAA</em> <img src="Aviation_safety_files/new.gif"></li>
<li>[http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/9.01.html#subj2.1 UK Defense software standard]
Sean Matthews <em>The RISKS Digest</em> </li>
<li>[http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks/16.16.html#subj3 Summary of safety-critical computers in transport aircraft]

Peter B. Lankin <em>The RISKS Digest</em> </li>
<li>[http://satc.gsfc.nasa.gov/assure/nss8719_13.html SOFTWARE SAFETY NASA TECHNICAL STANDARD]
<em>NASA</em> </li>
</ul>

==Study Guide==

===Code requirements/standards===

To what kinds of requirements should aviation software be held? The United Kingdom Department of Defense has a set of requirements for software used in military aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration has many guidelines for writing and reviewing code, while NASA has recommended metrics to ensure adherence to specifications.

* There are controversial code requirements from various government agencies, such as this standard from the UK Department of Defense.
* The FAA has quite a few documents with suggested practices on writing and reviewing code for airborne systems.
* NASA recommends using metrics during software development, but especially during the requirements phase. The report claims that the cost benefits of finding and correcting problems in the requirements phase is 14 times better than not doing so.
* The adoption of accepted software development standards like [http://www.sei.cmu.edu/cmm/ CMM] and [http://www.managementhelp.org/quality/iso9000/iso9000.htm ISO9000] could help the aviation companies achieve better quality procedures and checkpoints.
* Training could help developers to analyze and research quality issues with a plane early in the development phase.
* Regular 3rd party audits on the products, maintenance, and operations can be conducted in a regular basis to assure the customers that the company and management are doing all they can to maintain the best level of quality as efficient as possible.

===Analyzing/Testing Code===

What kinds of analyzing and testing should be done on aviation software? The United Kingdom military believes that static code analysis is the answer. There are groups that are trying to standardize the software safety procedures.

* A study of static code analysis to evaluate UK military avionics software. This involves studying the source code in the editor, which will hold true under all conditions.
* The Certification Authorities Software Team (CAST) is an international group promoting standardization of certification and regulatory positions on software and complex electronic hardware aspects of safety.
* A study and analysis of currently used software industry quality practices should be periodically conducted and improved upon by the individuals and the company.

===Organizations and Standards===

What kinds of laws and enforcement should be available to the company, employee, industry, and government to assure that the safety of the passengers is always first? It is important that secondary oversight is present to maintain a certain level of quality and safety within the industry. What other types of oversights would help maintain quality and safety standards?

* An Industry standard and committee should be formed consisting of different companies and individuals to organize and study audits, incidents, and new safety operating procedures.
* Election of outside professionals and involved company representatives work together to improve safety in the industry.
* Laws to police and enforce safety of products should be developed and suggested to the government to protect the unfair treatment of individuals when communicating quality issues are ignored by the company, and most importantly management.

===Portable electronic devices===

Are passengers' electronic devices dangerous on planes? The prevailing studies show that the amount of radiation from these devices is potentially, and many incidents of aviation software malfunction demonstrate this. No plane crashes have been attributed to onboard electronic devices yet.

* This report by the House shows incidents of interference and details some restrictions put in place.
* A study shows that portable electronic devices can disrupt normal operation of key cockpit instruments, especially Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. Private studies show that people are illicitly using cellphones on planes and that current levels of in-flight radio frequency emissions can be dangerous. On the other hand, this post cites a study claiming cell phones don't disrupt flight systems.

CSC 379 SUM2008:Week 4, Group 2

2009-02-12T16:15:14Z

Unctlt7:

==Open Government==
Most bills are passed by legislatures without ever being read by most legislators. Letters, articles, reports, all often never escape the physical mediums (paper) of their existence. Although technology has developed to the point where all non-private information in the United States government can, in theory, be made openly available, the support structures and culture of information sharing has not caught up to make full use of them. Efforts are being made to use digitization and sharing technology; one of the most notable digitization efforts is THOMAS, a joint effort by the Library of Congress and the Government Printing Office (GPO).

Examine the ethical implications of making policy with inadequate access to information, and the efforts being made to address those concerns. Is there a need for a change in existing support structures and culture of information sharing in government? Should support structures and culture change to encourage greater information sharing, if it required the government to slow down decision-making processes?
==History==
Open government is the doctrine that all levels of political administration should be open to public viewing and scrutiny. The origins of this date back to the Enlightenment in Europe in the eighteenth century. More recently, the passing of the [http://www.usdoj.gov/oip/ Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)] in the United States in 1966 is seen as the beginning of a modern movement toward open government. After its passing, several countries have followed suit in the subsequent decades.

The FOIA allows for complete or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents from the US Government based on a series of conditions. It applies to all government agencies. There are nine exemptions to the FOIA:
*Classified national defense and foreign relations information
*Internal agency rules and practices
*Information that is prohibited from disclosure by another federal law
*Trade secrets and other confidential business information
*Inter-agency or intra-agency communications protected by legal privileges
*Information involving matters of personal privacy
*Records compiled for law enforcement purposes
*Information relating to the supervision of financial institutions
*Geological information on wells

[http://thomas.loc.gov/ THOMAS] is a database kept by the Library of Congress detailing legislative information since 1995. The database is named after Thomas Jefferson. It includes information including:
*Bills and resolutions
*Congressional activity
*Congressional record
*Committee information
*Treaties
*Historical documents

A new political philosophy is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source_governance open source governance], which details a post-national state where any interested citizen can add to the creation of a policy, by way of a wiki or another mechanism. The core of such a government structure is a "central codebase" that are maintained by public registry. The policies are distributed to local areas that can alter the policy for their own uses and can send improvements back to the core.

== Benefits ==

One of the advantages of an open source government is that more of the government's actions and intentions become transparent by posting reports about said activity in a widely accessible place (such as the internet). This gives a much wider range of people the opportunity to decide for themselves if they actually support what their leaders and representatives are doing.

For example, one common problem with bills is that they typically get "riders," which are extra provisions that are appended to the bill and may or may not have anything to do with the original intent of the bill. Typically they are used to covertly pass items through the bill-approval process that would otherwise be met with opposition. At this time, the threat of being discovered is minimal because the riders tend to be written in a very verbose, jargon-fill manner, which very few people are willing to examine and interpret.

It is not really a question of how to obtain access to information about these bills and various attachments. All of this information is available to the general public (e.g. via [http://thomas.loc.gov/home/abt_thom.html THOMAS]); anyone is well within their bounds to perform their own research. It is more a question of how to obtain access to this information that is easily digestible and understandable. As stated, the wording of bills can be very confusing. Not everyone has the time or the inclination to sit down and understand what a bill is meant to accomplish. People have access to the information, they just don't have access to the abridged version of that information.

Open source governance would help to change that by first bringing together individuals and interest groups (such as the Sunlight Foundation[http://www.sunlightfoundation.com/]) who do have the patience to analyze bills and riders. By cooperating and collaborating, these individuals can better coordinate their efforts and disseminate their findings to a wider audience. Once a larger percentage of the the general population is more aware of what is contained in the bills, they will be better informed and be able to make sound decisions on whether or not they support what sorts of things are included in the bills.

In theory, this would reduce the amount of riders that get passed through, because law-makers would have a more difficult time passing things through that might not necessarily have popular support. At a minimum, they would be more mindful of what sorts of things they choose to include in a bill because a responsive and well-informed populace would quickly voice their opposition to anything objectionable.

==Problems==

Although the idea of allowing this information to be viewed by many people sounds great, there are many potential problems.

*Funding

Funding is probably the larget problem with open government. Many people tend to overlook the cost of getting these documents transfered from a paper form to internet, user-friendly, model. Also, where would this money come from? Would the government use the peoples tax dollars or would apprpriations from the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_federal_budget national budget] be made? With these costs tagged on to the nation's already tremendous national debt, the country would be faced with the decesion to either cut corners in other departments or plunge further into debt.

*Conflicting Interest

With all of the information availible to many people of different political backgrounds their is sure to be many conflicting interests. Many of the people reading the documents may not fully understand it's contents and become confused and/or angry about what the document is actully doing. Also, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interest_group interest groups] that research the bills could be at risk by putting this information up for everyone to see. Readers of this information could start to disagree with these groups and the information that they are providing the government. With the disagreement of who is right and who is wrong, it would become increasingly difficult for legislators to propose new legislation.

*Time

The time span of creating these documents would be astronomic. Although there are current databases the contain important information for captial hill(stated above), the thought of putting all permitted information in a format accessible to all those interested in a reasonable timeframe, would be extreamly difficult.

==Additional Links==
* http://thomas.loc.gov/home/abt_thom.html
* http://www.lessig.org/blog/
* http://www.archives.gov/nhprc/announcement/digitizing-faqs.html
* http://www.sunlightfoundation.com/

UNC TLT/unctlt7

2008-08-21T15:02:55Z

Unctlt7:

I almost ran out of gas this morning on my way to the conference. I put wrong information on UNC TLT 5 to see what would happen.

UNC TLT/unctlt5

2008-08-21T15:02:08Z

Unctlt7:

Today is FRIDAY, the end of August. School is starting soon and I am not really. I only have one syllabi completed, does anyone want to finish my work for me so i can go to the beach?

UNC TLT/unctlt7

2008-08-21T14:58:07Z

Unctlt7:

I almost ran out of gas this morning on my way to the conference.