Active Star Coupler Redundant Link Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication network systems in safety-critical applications, such as the automotive domain, face challenges in achieving fault tolerance at the physical layer due to susceptibility to faults like short circuits and disconnections, which are not effectively addressed by prior art methods that require full redundancy of all components.
Innovation Solution
A communication network system with a coupling device having standard and redundant interfaces, detection means for link faults, and control means to switch between them, allowing for cost and space-efficient fault tolerance by using a critical link with a redundant backup, thereby avoiding the need for full redundancy in all components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full redundant communication channels are provided for each component, then fault tolerance is improved, but cost and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the redundancy approach by providing full redundancy only for the critical link between the coupling device and terminal, while using shared redundancy for other links. This selective segmentation reduces the overall number of redundant components needed while maintaining fault tolerance for the most critical communication path.
Solution Approach 2:
The redundant link is designed to serve multiple functions: it can act as a backup for the critical link, provide alternative routing for non-critical links, and enable failover scenarios. This multi-functionality reduces the need for dedicated redundant components for every possible failure scenario.
2Reliability
If full redundant communication channels are provided, then fault tolerance is improved, but the number of components doubles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the redundancy resources by allowing the redundant link to serve multiple communication paths simultaneously. Instead of having separate redundant components for each link, the system combines redundancy into a shared resource that can be allocated dynamically based on failure detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial redundancy by providing full redundancy only where absolutely necessary (the critical link) and using shared or no redundancy where full backup is not required. This partial application of redundancy reduces the overall quantity of components while maintaining adequate fault tolerance.
3Reliability
If blocking means are added to control information flow, then signal quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking means are designed to automatically detect link faults and activate the appropriate blocking or routing decisions without requiring external intervention. The system self-manages the switching between critical and redundant links based on detected failure conditions, reducing the need for complex external control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the coupling device and terminals continuously monitor link status and adjust information flow accordingly. When a link fault is detected, the feedback loop triggers the blocking means to redirect traffic through alternative paths, automatically restoring communication without manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to active star coupler based network handling of redundancy in the physical layer by transmitting a message to both regular and redundant links. In an error free case, the message is forwarded by the regular interface, while the redundant link, is blocked. Each interface is equipped with link failure detection logic. If a link failure is detected, an incoming message is blocked and the affected interface controls the interface connected to the redundant link to take over message forwarding. If the link recovers, the regular interface takes over forwarding responsibility and the redundant link is disabled.