Aircraft Computing Unit Synchronization with Pulse Conformity Checks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aircraft calculation units lack a reliable and precise synchronization method, particularly in ensuring operational safety by accounting for conformity in synchronization pulses, which is crucial for maintaining accurate control surface commands and preventing potential failures.
Innovation Solution
A synchronization system utilizing an independent clock generates synchronization pulses after receiving availability information from each unit, with a delay generator adding unique delays to ensure correct synchronization, and direct synchronization elements synchronize partitions within the sequence, stopping processing operations if non-conformity is detected to ensure safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an independent clock is used to generate synchronization pulses, then synchronization precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the synchronization function into separate components: an independent clock generates synchronization pulses, transmission lines deliver them to calculation units, and control elements verify conformity. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, achieving high precision without overwhelming system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an independent clock as an intermediary element that mediates between the calculation units. This intermediary generates standardized synchronization pulses that all units can reference, ensuring precise synchronization without requiring complex inter-unit coordination mechanisms.
2Reliability
If conformity verification is implemented for synchronization pulses, then operational safety is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control element performs conformity verification as a preliminary check before the calculation unit processes the synchronization pulse. By verifying conformity in advance, the system ensures operational safety without requiring re-processing or correction later, minimizing overall processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
When a synchronization pulse is found to be non-conformant, the control element immediately skips further processing of that pulse and proceeds to the next one. This skipping mechanism prevents wasted processing time on invalid pulses while maintaining safety through continuous verification.
3Measurement precision
If delay generators are added to synchronize units, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delay generator introduces different time delays to different calculation units based on their specific requirements. This local customization of delay parameters allows each unit to be synchronized accurately to the master clock without requiring a complex centralized control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adjusts the delay parameter individually for each calculation unit to compensate for variations in signal transmission time and processing speed. By changing this single parameter, the patent achieves accurate synchronization across all units without adding complex control logic.
4Reliability
If processing operations are stopped upon detecting non-conformity, then reliability is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control element implements preliminary anti-action by stopping processing operations before non-conformant data can propagate through the system. This preventive measure ensures reliability by containing potential errors at their source, while the automatic resumption of processing minimizes the impact on overall productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
- Method and system for synchronizing the computing units of an aircraft. - The synchronization system (1) comprises a generation unit (12) for generating a synchronization pulse from data from an independent clock (13), the synchronization pulse being generated periodically, transmission links (22A) for transmitting the synchronization pulse to each of the computing units (3) and within each of the computing units (3), a control element (23A) for comparing the received synchronization pulse with a pulse generated by an internal clock (9A) of that computing unit (3) and for concluding that it is compliant or non-compliant, a scheduler (7A) of each of the computing units (3) triggering a partition implementation sequence (P1A to PNA) upon receipt of the synchronization pulse, and this only when the control element (23A) of the corresponding computing unit (3) concludes that it is compliant,the synchronization system (1) thus being able to reliably and precisely synchronize the computing units (3) while contributing to the operational safety of these computing units (3).