Dual-Bus Control Architecture for Fast and Safe Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microcontrollers in control systems face performance degradation due to the multitude of functions they must execute, complicating the assurance of functional safety and reducing the speed of the control system.
Innovation Solution
Employing a RISC processor as a measurement controller within a control system, integrated with a deterministic, programmable finite-state machine design, allows for separate and optimized execution of measurement and system functions, ensuring modular flexibility and enhanced functional safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a microcontroller is used to handle both measurement control and system control functions, then the system can be integrated in a single component, but the processing speed decreases and functional safety verification becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into two separate controllers: a measurement controller dedicated to measurement functions and a system controller for system-level control. This segmentation allows each controller to be optimized for its specific function, improving processing speed and simplifying functional safety verification while maintaining clear functional boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement control functions are extracted from the system controller and assigned to a dedicated measurement controller. This extraction separates the time-critical measurement processing from the higher-level system control, enabling the measurement controller to operate at maximum speed without being burdened by system management tasks.
2Device complexity
If a microcontroller executes multiple functions including measurement control and system control, then the system can operate with a single controller, but functional safety assurance becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the control functions into separate measurement and system controllers, each controller's functionality becomes more predictable and easier to verify for functional safety. The measurement controller's dedicated role simplifies safety analysis compared to a multi-functional microcontroller.
Solution Approach 2:
Extracting measurement control functions from the system controller creates a dedicated safety-critical component that can be independently verified. This separation allows functional safety standards to be applied more effectively to each controller's specific function set.
3Ease of manufacture
If a microcontroller is used for measurement and control functions, then the system can be built with conventional components, but the control speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The time-critical measurement processing functions are extracted and assigned to a dedicated measurement controller optimized for high-speed operation. This allows the measurement controller to operate at maximum speed while the system controller handles higher-level control tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from using a general-purpose microcontroller to a specialized measurement controller architecture. This parameter change in controller type enables higher processing speeds for measurement functions while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized controller designs.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an integrated circuit (1000) for providing a control system (10) for providing open- and/or closed-loop control signals. The integrated circuit (1000) comprises a system bus (14) with a system controller (16), the system controller (16) being configured to execute system functions (18) of the control system (10). The control system is characterised in that the control system (10) furthermore has a measurement bus (20) with at least one measurement controller (22), the at least one measurement controller (22) being configured to execute measurement functions for capturing and/or preparing measurement data and/or output functions for adapting and/or outputting open- and/or closed-loop control signals. Furthermore, the control system (10) has a bus interface (24) which is configured to provide a communication link (26) between the system bus (14) and the measurement bus (20).