Aircraft Control Assembly With Multi-Core Redundancy Arbitration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 concurrent execution of software instructions and real-time data processing are critical for optimal operation.
Innovation Solution
A multi-core processor architecture is implemented, comprising multiple cores with localized memory and a communications module that allows concurrent execution of software instructions, with an arbitration module to select and communicate control outputs based on sensor information and predetermined criteria, enhancing redundancy and fault tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant hardware and software systems are implemented for mission and safety critical functions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple processor cores into a single integrated processing unit, allowing concurrent execution of redundant software instructions while sharing common hardware resources. This reduces the physical footprint and complexity of redundant hardware systems while maintaining reliability through software-based redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor cores are designed to universally execute different discrete sets of software instructions for various mission and safety critical functions. Each core can be dynamically allocated to different functions, allowing a single hardware platform to serve multiple redundant control purposes without requiring dedicated hardware for each function.
2Productivity
If concurrent execution of software instructions is implemented on multiple cores, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing system is segmented into multiple independent cores, each capable of concurrently executing discrete sets of software instructions. This segmentation enables parallel processing of redundant control functions, improving productivity while keeping each core's internal complexity manageable through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
An arbitration module serves as an intermediary between multiple processor cores and the control system. It manages the concurrent execution of software instructions, coordinates resource allocation, and ensures proper synchronization, thereby enabling high productivity without requiring complex inter-core communication infrastructure.
3Reliability
If multiple processor cores with localized memory are used, then reliability is improved, but loss of time in data access increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each processor core is equipped with localized memory (L1 and L2 caches) that stores frequently accessed data and instructions specific to that core's execution context. This local quality ensures fast data access for each core while maintaining reliability through distributed memory architecture that prevents single point of failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The memory architecture transitions from a single centralized memory to a multi-dimensional hierarchy including L1 cache, L2 cache, and shared memory accessible through the arbitration module. This dimensional expansion of memory architecture provides both fast local access and reliable redundant access paths.
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.