\begin{abstract}
In failure mode analysis, it is essential to
know the failure modes of the sub-systems and components used.
This paper outlines a technique for determining the failure modes of a sub-system given 
its components.
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This paper describes a process for taking a functional~group of components,
applying FMEA analysis on all the component failure modes possible in that functional~group,
and then determining how that functional group can fail.
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With this information, we can treat the functional group
as a component in its own right.
This new component is a derived from the functional~group.
In the field of safety engineering this derived component  correspond to a low~level sub-system.
%The technique uses a graphical notation, based on Euler\cite{eulerviz} and Constraint diagrams\cite{constraint} to model failure modes and failure mode common symptom collection.  The technique is designed for making building blocks for a hierarchical fault model.

Once the failure modes have been determined for a sub-system/derived~component,
this derived component can be combined with others to form functional groups
to model 
higher level sub-systems/derived~components. 
In this way a hierarchy to represent the fault behaviour
of a system can be built from the bottom~up. This process can continue
until there is a complete hierarchy representing the failure mode
behaviour of the entire system under analysis.
%FMMD hierarchy
Using the FMMD technique the hierarchy is built from the bottom up to ensure complete failure mode coverage.
Because the process is bottom-up, syntax checking and tracking can ensure that
no component failure mode can be overlooked.
Once a hierarchy is in place it can be converted into a fault data model.
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From the fault data model, automatic generation
of FTA\cite{nasafta} (Fault Tree Analysis) and mimimal cuts sets\cite{nucfta} are possible. 
Also statistical reliability/probability of failure~on~demand\cite{en61508} and MTTF (Mean Time to Failure) calculations can be produced 
automatically, where component failure mode statistics are available\cite{mil1991}.
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This paper focuses on the process of building the blocks, the symptom extraction or abstraction process, that is key to creating an FMMD hierarchy.
\end{abstract}
