Data Storage System with Programmable Logic for Power Failure Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing data storage systems for industrial controllers and data processing systems are costly, space-consuming, and inefficient in storing critical data during power failures, as they require large and expensive energy storage solutions to buffer the entire system.
Innovation Solution
A data storage system comprising a programmable logic module, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and an energy store that selectively prioritizes and quickly writes critical data to non-volatile memory using a bus system with priority channels and autonomous copying, minimizing the need for extensive energy storage and system components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery buffering of RAM module is used to prevent data loss after power failure, then data can be stored, but the solution is too expensive, temperature-sensitive, and limited to a limited amount of data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the critical function of data buffering from the entire system, isolating it to a dedicated logic module that handles only the essential task of copying data from volatile to non-volatile memory. This extraction eliminates the need for expensive battery buffering of the entire RAM module while maintaining data storage reliability for critical information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data storage function into distinct components: a logic module for data copying, volatile memory for temporary storage, and non-volatile memory for permanent storage. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) are used to allow defined shutdown after power failure, then data loss is avoided, but they are very expensive and require additional space-consuming hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential data protection function from the complex UPS system, implementing only the necessary data copying mechanism in a logic module. This eliminates the need for space-consuming UPS hardware while maintaining the core function of preventing data loss through automated copying to non-volatile memory.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a copying mechanism where the logic module automatically copies critical data from volatile memory to non-volatile memory upon detecting power failure. This copying approach achieves data loss prevention without requiring the physical UPS hardware, significantly reducing space requirements.
3Duration of action of moving object
If capacitor buffering is used to supply energy to the complete data processing system after power failure, then the system can remain alive, but very large and high-quality capacitors are required which take up space and are expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy buffering requirement from the entire data processing system, limiting it only to the logic module, volatile memory, and non-volatile memory components needed for data copying. This extraction dramatically reduces the energy storage requirements and eliminates the need for large, space-consuming capacitors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing energy buffering only for the essential data copying function rather than for the entire system. This partial energy supply is sufficient to complete the critical data transfer operation without requiring excessive capacitor capacity, thereby reducing space requirements.
4Productivity
If the entire data processing system is buffered with energy after power failure, then data can be written away, but a large number of high-capacity gold caps are required which are expensive and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy buffering requirement from the entire system, limiting it only to the logic module and memory components necessary for data copying. This extraction maintains high data writing speed by ensuring adequate energy supply for the critical path while eliminating the need for numerous high-capacity capacitors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the system into critical components (logic module, volatile memory, non-volatile memory) that require energy buffering and non-critical components that do not. This segmentation allows energy resources to be concentrated on the essential data copying function, maintaining productivity without requiring extensive capacitor arrays.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and rapid storage of critical data during power failures with minimized energy storage requirements, reducing costs and system size by only buffering the logic module, volatile memory, and non-volatile memory during the copying process.
Implementation Method 1
an energy store (5), the energy store (5) being designed to maintain the energy supply after a failure of the power supply for the data processing system (100) for a first period of time in order to write data of a first data type (D1) from the volatile memory (3) into the non-volatile memory (4)
Data Source
AI summary
The system (1) has an energy storage (5) storing energy supply after failure of a power supply for a data processing system (100) for a time period. A programmable logic unit (2) is attached to a bus system i.e. priority channel, that retrieves data of two data types (D1, D2) from a processor (101) of a data processing system (100). The logic unit selects the data of one of the data types and writes the data in a volatile memory (3) e.g. cache memory or RAM. The logic unit evaluates a signal that indicates failure of power supply of the data processing system. An independent claim is also included for a method for storing data.