Aircraft Control Assembly With Multi-Core Arbitration Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle control systems, particularly in aircraft, face challenges in efficiently managing mission and safety critical functions due to limitations in redundant hardware and software systems, especially in gas turbine engines, where simultaneous execution of complex software instructions and real-time data processing are critical for optimal performance and safety.
Innovation Solution
A multi-core processing architecture is implemented, comprising multiple cores with localized memory and an arbitration module, which allows concurrent execution of software instructions and communication with aircraft modules, including a predictive model for gas turbine engine components, to generate and select control outputs based on sensor information and predetermined criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant hardware and software systems are implemented for safety critical functions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple processing functions into a single multi-core processor unit. The first and second cores both execute the same safety-critical software instructions simultaneously, providing redundancy without requiring separate hardware systems. The arbitration module consolidates the coordination of these cores and the selection of control outputs into a single management unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability through concurrent execution and voting mechanisms.
2Productivity
If concurrent execution of software instructions on multiple cores is implemented, then processing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing functions by dedicating specific cores to specific tasks. The first and second cores concurrently execute safety-critical instructions, while the third core handles non-critical functions. This segmentation allows efficient parallel processing without requiring complex coordination between all cores, as each core has a defined role and responsibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The arbitration module serves as an intermediary that simplifies the complexity of multi-core coordination. It receives control outputs from multiple cores, applies voting logic to select the correct output, and manages the arbitration of control signals. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of concurrent execution, allowing efficient processing while maintaining manageable system architecture.
3Reliability
If multiple cores execute the same software instructions concurrently, then fault tolerance is improved, but loss of time in coordinating and selecting outputs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arbitration module is pre-configured with voting logic and selection criteria before runtime. It is designed to receive and process control outputs from multiple cores using predetermined arbitration rules, eliminating the need for complex real-time decision-making algorithms. This preliminary setup reduces the time required for coordination and output selection during critical operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses identical copies of the safety-critical software instructions executed on multiple cores simultaneously. This copying approach ensures that all cores produce the same control output under normal conditions, simplifying the arbitration process. The redundancy is achieved through replication of software rather than complex hardware configurations, reducing coordination overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A control assembly for an aircraft system according to an example of the present disclosure includes a multi-core processor that has a plurality of cores coupled to a communications module and to an arbitration module. The communications module is operable to communicate information between the plurality of cores and one or more aircraft modules. The plurality of cores include first and second cores operable to concurrently execute a first discrete set of software instructions to generate respective instances of an output. The arbitration module is operable to communicate each and every one of the respective instances to control the one or more aircraft modules. A method of operating an aircraft system is also disclosed.