Analog Redundancy Circuit With Extreme-Value Transient Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interference-suppression methods for analog circuits in radiation-burdened environments, such as space, are inadequate as they either fail to eliminate interference or rely on susceptible comparators, leading to unreliable signals and unnecessary switching.
Innovation Solution
An interference-suppression circuit with redundant functional blocks, a first extreme-value determination unit for identifying and excluding maximal or minimal values from the signal processing, and a processing unit that forms an interference-reduced signal by summing or multiplying the output signals while omitting these extreme values, thereby minimizing the influence of disrupted blocks without using radiation-susceptible comparators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If average-value formation is used to reduce radiation interference in analog circuits, then the influence of interference is reduced, but the interference is not eliminated and signal precision remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes extreme values (maxima and minima) from the set of output signals before performing average-value formation. By taking out these potentially interfered signals that represent extreme deviations, the remaining signals are used to calculate the average, thereby eliminating the influence of radiation-induced interference while improving signal precision.
2Ease of operation
If comparators are used to select or compare output signals from redundant functional blocks, then signal selection is enabled, but the comparators themselves become susceptible to radiation interference, reducing overall reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electronic comparison process (using comparators) with a mathematical sorting and extreme-value-removal process. Instead of using comparators to select signals, the system sorts the output signals and removes extreme values based on their magnitude relationships, thereby avoiding the use of radiation-susceptible comparator circuits while maintaining signal selection capability.
3Reliability
If redundant functional blocks are used to process analog signals, then interference resistance is improved, but the complexity of the circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple redundant copies of the same functional block to process the input analog signal simultaneously. Each copy produces an output signal, and by having identical copies, the system achieves interference resistance because at least some copies will produce correct outputs even if others are affected by radiation. The complexity is managed by processing these copied outputs through sorting and extreme-value removal.
4Productivity
If multiple redundant functional blocks operate in parallel, then processing capability is enhanced, but unwanted switching procedures occur when signals are compared, reducing operational stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary sorting of the output signals from redundant functional blocks before any selection or processing occurs. By pre-establishing the order of signals based on their values and identifying extreme values in advance, the system avoids unstable switching procedures during operation. The extreme values are removed based on this preliminary arrangement, ensuring stable and predictable operation throughout the signal processing pipeline.
Data Source
AI summary
An interference-suppression circuit produces an interference-reduced signal from output signals of a plurality of redundant functional blocks. A first extreme-value determination unit determines the specific output signal that represents a first extreme value from the output signals of the functional blocks. A processing unit offsets the output signals of the plurality of functional blocks against one another in such a manner that the interference-reduced signal is determined. The processing unit omits from consideration the first extreme value in determining the interference-reduced signal.