Distributed Fault Signalling Network for Deterministic Safety Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The implementation of functional safety practices in safety-critical industries faces limitations in computational performance, PPA (performance-power-area) trade-off, and manufacturability due to hardware bottlenecks, necessitating new and optimized implementations.
Innovation Solution
A distributed network of fault signalling sources and junction points, forming a tree network with a central module and fault signalling sources at the leaves, utilizing multiplexers for deterministic fault signal propagation and redundant signalling, ensuring efficient and reliable fault detection and transmission to the central module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If functional safety practices are implemented using traditional hardware approaches, then safety reliability is improved, but computational performance and PPA trade-off deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments fault detection and signaling functions into distributed fault signalling sources that are integrated within existing processing elements, rather than using centralized safety hardware. This segmentation allows safety functions to be performed locally without blocking computational throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
A distributed fault signal network acts as an intermediary layer between fault detection points and safety response mechanisms. This intermediary network uses dedicated fault signal paths that operate independently from data processing paths, enabling safety monitoring without impacting computational performance.
2Reliability
If traditional functional safety hardware is used, then safety coverage is improved, but area and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fault signalling sources are merged within existing processing elements and computational units, combining safety functionality with data processing hardware. This integration eliminates the need for separate dedicated safety hardware blocks, reducing overall area consumption while maintaining safety coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Processing elements are designed to serve multiple functions: normal data processing and fault detection/signaling. The same hardware structures are used for both computational tasks and safety monitoring, achieving multi-functionality that reduces area requirements compared to dedicated safety hardware.
3Reliability
If comprehensive fault detection is implemented across all signal paths, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fault detection network is segmented into localized fault signalling sources at critical points within processing elements, rather than implementing a monolithic centralized safety system. Each segment independently monitors its local signal paths and communicates faults through the distributed network, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Processing elements perform self-diagnosis and self-reporting of faults through integrated fault signalling sources. Each processing element autonomously detects faults in its own operations and communicates them through the fault signal network, eliminating the need for complex external monitoring infrastructure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a distributed network of fault signalling sources. The distributed network comprises a central module, a plurality of signal paths, a plurality of fault signalling sources provided at an output of any one of the plurality of signal paths and configured to detect a fault, generate a fault signal and transmit said fault signal to at least one network junction point. The at least one network junction point is/are connected to the central module and the at least one network junction point is configured to transmit said fault signal to the central module. The disclosure further relates to a corresponding method.