Adaptive Embedded Scheduling With Neuromorphic Fault Response

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adaptive embedded systems face challenges in generating schedules that collectively address mode changes and various types of faults, leading to delays or interference, particularly in safety-critical real-time systems, without excessive power consumption or processing time.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing a multi-model system with spiked neural networks in a neuromorphic accelerator to generate schedules dynamically, adapting to mode changes and faults by explicitly modeling system adaptivity, enabling real-time optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If static configurations are used to meet task timing requirements, then scheduling is simplified, but the system cannot adapt to mode changes or faults

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem adaptabilityVSAvoidscheduling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static scheduling configurations to dynamic adaptive scheduling that automatically adjusts task schedules in response to mode changes and faults. The scheduling system continuously monitors system state and generates updated schedules without requiring full reconfiguration, enabling real-time adaptation while maintaining manageable complexity through incremental adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes scheduling parameters dynamically based on operational modes and fault conditions. Different scheduling parameters (such as task priorities, time slots, and resource allocation) are adjusted according to the current system state, allowing the same hardware configuration to support multiple operational modes with appropriate scheduling adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multiple cores run tasks in parallel to improve performance, then processing capacity increases, but scheduling problems and resource interference worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capacityVSAvoidscheduling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides tasks and resources into segments that can be independently scheduled on different cores. By segmenting the task set and associating specific tasks with specific cores or time slots, the system reduces scheduling complexity while maintaining parallel processing capacity. Each core can execute its assigned tasks with minimal interference from other cores.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the system adapts to faults by changing operation, then fault tolerance improves, but delays or interference occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault toleranceVSAvoidtask execution delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures alternative schedules and fault response strategies before faults occur. When a fault is detected, the system can immediately switch to pre-planned alternative schedules rather than computing new schedules in real-time, minimizing execution delays while maintaining fault tolerance. Critical tasks have pre-identified fallback options ready for immediate activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If comprehensive schedules addressing all mode configurations and faults are generated, then system reliability improves, but the time and power required for schedule generation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system generates schedules partially rather than comprehensively for all possible scenarios. Instead of pre-computing schedules for every possible combination of modes and faults, the system generates schedules for the current operational mode and generates alternative schedules on-demand when mode changes or faults occur. This reduces the computational power and energy required for schedule generation while maintaining reliability through selective schedule generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4575780A1Online scheduling for adaptive embedded systems
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 ROCKWELL COLLINS INC
  • EP4575780A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
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  • EP4575780A1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A method of generating schedules for an adaptive embedded system, the method comprising: deriving task sets of all possible tasks to be performed by the embedded system; deriving sets of all possible hardware configurations of the embedded system; creating a multi-model system having a multi-model defining the adaptivity of the system for all possible tasks and all possible hardware and all combinations thereof, the adaptivity defining how the system can change operation responsive to a mode change requirement and/or occurrence of a fault; solving a scheduling problem for the models of the multi-model system in a neuromorphic accelerator implemented by spiked neural networks; and providing schedule instructions to the system, for performance of tasks, based on the solution.