Dual-Computer Digital Output for Fail-Safe Alternating Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing process load on CPUs in railway safety devices due to the generation of alternating signals through software processing, which strains other processes and limits the number of ports capable of generating pulse outputs.
Innovation Solution
A digital output device comprising two computers, a collation unit, and two output conversion units that generate alternating signals based on output instructions, with check units monitoring the output conversion units to detect failures and prevent unsafety operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If analog audio signals are converted to digital format using traditional methods, then digital audio output is achieved, but additional digital-to-analog conversion steps are required which complicate the system and reduce signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary digital-to-analog conversion step from the traditional audio playback chain. By having the audio output device perform digital signal processing directly, the system removes the intermediate conversion steps that complicate the system architecture and potentially degrade signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio output device is given multi-functionality by enabling it to perform both digital signal processing and direct digital output. This eliminates the need for separate conversion devices, simplifying the overall system while maintaining or improving signal quality through reduced conversion steps.
2Reliability
If multiple conversion steps are used in digital audio output, then compatibility with various devices is maintained, but signal quality deteriorates and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the audio output device by enabling it to perform digital signal processing directly. This parameter change allows the device to output digital signals with higher quality while maintaining compatibility with various digital audio devices through standardized digital interfaces, eliminating the need for multiple conversion steps.
3Ease of operation
If traditional digital-to-analog conversion is used, then analog output is achieved, but the system requires additional hardware and conversion steps
Solution Approach 1:
The audio output device performs self-service by handling digital signal processing internally without requiring external conversion hardware. This self-sufficient approach simplifies the overall system architecture and reduces hardware requirements while maintaining ease of operation through standardized digital interfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a digital output device for generating an alternate signal that is not generated from software processing, while ensuring a conventional configuration and safety, in order to lessen a CPU process load of generating an alternate signal at a fail-safe CPU. In order to achieve this, a digital output device includes two computers, a collation unit that collates computation results obtained by the two computers, and two output conversion units that receive output instructions based on the respective computation results obtained by the two computers. The collation unit outputs a first alternate signal when the computation results match each other. Each of the two output conversion units outputs a second alternate signal when the output instruction is an alternate signal output instruction, or outputs a non-alternate signal when the output instruction is an alternate signal stop instruction.