Bus Driver Babbling Idiot Detection in Star Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fault-tolerant star networks, particularly in automotive systems, faulty network branches can repeatedly transmit control symbols, preventing other nodes from starting up correctly, and existing solutions are complex and costly, lacking effective mechanisms to prevent wrong information transmission.
Innovation Solution
A bus driver in the star network is adapted to detect repeated transmission of specific control symbol patterns, disabling the faulty network branch to ensure other nodes can switch to a predetermined state without interference, using a mechanism integrated into the bus driver without additional hardware, allowing for flexible operation across different bitrates and network protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bus driver detects and disables a faulty network branch transmitting repeated control symbols, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to detection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The bus driver performs self-diagnosis by monitoring its own output and detecting when it repeatedly transmits control symbols. The detection mechanism is integrated into the bus driver itself, allowing it to identify faulty states and disable its own network branch without requiring external monitoring equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The bus driver uses feedback from monitoring its own transmission activity to detect abnormal repeated control symbol transmissions. By comparing transmitted symbols against expected patterns and tracking transmission frequency, the bus driver can identify faulty states and trigger disablement of the network branch.
2Reliability
If existing fault detection solutions are implemented, then fault robustness is improved, but cost and complexity increase due to additional hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The fault detection and disablement functionality is merged into the existing bus driver circuitry. The bus driver combines its normal transmission function with monitoring and fault detection capabilities, eliminating the need for separate detection hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bus driver is designed to perform multiple functions: normal data transmission, monitoring its own output, detecting repeated control symbol patterns, and disabling its network branch when faults are detected. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated fault detection hardware.
3Ease of operation
If control symbols are transmitted for node startup, then network operation is enabled, but faulty repeated transmission prevents other nodes from starting correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The bus driver performs preliminary monitoring of its transmission output to detect patterns of repeated control symbol transmission before they can interfere with other nodes' startup processes. By detecting the faulty pattern early, the system can prevent the harmful repeated transmissions from propagating through the network and disrupting other nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The repeated control symbol transmissions, which are harmful when caused by faults, are used as detectable patterns that trigger the disablement mechanism. By monitoring for these specific patterns, the system converts the harmful repeated transmissions into useful fault indicators that enable automatic protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A star network (1) having a star coupler (14) and at least a first and second network branch (112, 122), wherein each network branch (112, 122) comprises at least one network node (110, 120) and a bus driver (11, 12) connected between the star coupler (14) and the at least one network node (110, 120). A first bus driver (11) of the first network branch (112) is adapted to detect a symbol pattern comprising at least two predetermined equal control symbols, which are transmitted from the first network node (110) to the second network node (120), wherein a control symbol is part of a control pattern. The control pattern is used to force at least the second network node (120) to switch into a predetermined state. The first bus driver (11) is disabling the first network branch (112) from the star network (1) based on whether the transmitted symbol pattern is detected. By using the protection mechanism a reliable detection of babbling idiots is provided. Moreover, in case of detecting such babbling idiots the remaining network nodes are separated and the network can operate without being influenced by the faulty network node.