Distributed I/O Timer Control for Lower CPU Load
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing controller systems experience increased load on the CPU and controller due to the need to manage time event queues and perform timer interval calculations and anomaly reporting, which can lead to performance issues.
Innovation Solution
A controller system with input/output control devices that include a one-shot timer and an activation counter calculator, which calculates the one-shot timer activation counter based on the number of connected sensor devices, allowing for efficient data acquisition without managing a time event queue, thereby reducing the load on the controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If periodic interrupt signals are used to manage time events in the CPU, then timer control functionality is achieved, but the load on the CPU increases due to queue search and anomaly detection processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the timer control system into multiple independent input/output control devices, each capable of autonomously managing its own timer interrupts and anomaly detection. This segmentation eliminates the need for centralized CPU queue management, as each device handles its timing operations independently, thereby reducing CPU load while maintaining reliable timer control.
Solution Approach 2:
Each input/output control device is equipped with autonomous functionality to generate timer interrupts and detect anomalies without requiring CPU intervention. The devices self-manage their timer queues and perform self-diagnosis, enabling them to serve themselves rather than relying on the CPU for these routine operations, thus improving CPU processing efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If the controller manages time event queues and performs timer interval calculations, then precise timing control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent distributes timing control functionality across multiple input/output control devices, with each device maintaining its own timer and interrupt generation capability. This segmentation of timing functions eliminates the need for a centralized complex queue management system in the controller, thereby reducing overall device complexity while preserving precise timing control at each distributed node.
Solution Approach 2:
Each input/output control device is designed as a multi-functional unit that can independently perform timer counting, interrupt generation, and anomaly detection. This universality allows simple peripheral devices to handle complex timing operations that would otherwise require a sophisticated centralized controller, reducing the controller's complexity while maintaining timing precision.
3Ease of operation
If interrupt generation is centralized in the controller, then system coordination is simplified, but the responsiveness of individual I/O devices decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interrupt generation function from the central controller and assigns it to individual input/output control devices. Each device independently generates its own timer interrupts based on local timing requirements, eliminating the coordination delay inherent in centralized interrupt management. This segmentation maintains simple system architecture while dramatically improving I/O device responsiveness.
4Measurement precision
If timer anomaly detection is performed by the CPU, then detection accuracy is maintained, but the processing load on the controller increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service anomaly detection where each input/output control device autonomously monitors its own timer operations and detects anomalies locally. This eliminates the need for the CPU to perform anomaly detection processing, thereby maintaining detection accuracy through direct local monitoring while freeing up CPU processing capacity for other tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
Each input/output control device incorporates local feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor timer operation status and immediately detect anomalies without requiring CPU intervention. This distributed feedback system maintains high detection accuracy by directly observing timer behavior at the source, while the processed anomaly information can be reported to the controller only when necessary, preserving controller processing capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller system includes a controller, and a plurality of input/output control devices connected in series with the controller so as to allow communication therebetween. Each of the plurality of input/output control devices is configured to be connected with a sensor device. Each of the plurality of input/output control devices calculates a one-shot timer activation counter based on a total number of the sensor devices being objects to activate a one-shot timer out of the sensor devices that are connected with another input/output control device between a subject input/output control device and the controller.