Analog Signal Feedback for Digital Control Error Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerospace certification authorities have stringent requirements due to the potential for complex hardware devices to behave unpredictably, leading to worst-case system-level effects. Existing systems lack effective methods for mitigating development errors in such complex hardware designs.
Innovation Solution
A digital control system that includes an analog to digital converter (ADC), a processor, a digital to analog converter (DAC), and comparison logic. This system converts analog input signals into digital control signals and compares them to the original analog signals to detect discrepancies, outputting an error signal if a mismatch is found.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex hardware devices are used for multiple functions, then device versatility is improved, but the risk of unpredictable behavior and development errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an independent analog copy of the digital signal path by feeding the digital output back through a DAC to generate an analog replica. This copy is then compared with the original analog input to detect any deviations caused by development errors or unpredictable hardware behavior, while allowing the hardware to serve multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the digital output signal is fed back through a DAC and compared with the original analog input signal. This continuous monitoring and comparison provides real-time detection of development errors, enabling the system to maintain reliability across multiple functions by identifying and flagging unpredictable behavior.
2Reliability
If independent analog representation of digital data is implemented, then development error detection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a DAC to create an analog copy of the digital signal, which is then compared with the original analog input. This copying approach enables development error detection by independently representing digital data in analog form, allowing comparison to identify deviations without requiring completely new system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a DAC as an intermediary component that converts digital signals back to analog form. This intermediary enables the comparison between the original analog input and the digitally-processed analog output, providing a bridge between digital and analog domains for error detection while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system an analog to digital converter, ADC (104), operatively connected to receive an analog input signal from an input line (102) and to output a digital input signal. A processor (108) is operatively connected to receive the digital input signal from the ADC (104) and to output a digital control signal for controlling a physical system based on the digital input signal. A digital to analog converter, DAC (114), is operatively connected to receive a copy of the digital input signal put out from the processor (108), and to output an analog output signal indicative of the copy of the digital input signal put out from the processor (108). Comparison logic (120) is operatively connected to receive the analog input signal from the input line (102), to receive the analog output signal from the DAC (114), and to output an error signal in response to a mismatch between the analog input signal and the analog output signal.