Executive System for Coordinating Embedded Process Supervision
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multiprocessor systems, coordinating the activities of multiple autonomous embedded systems to ensure controlled device operation is challenging, as existing technologies lack a systematic method for managing and synchronizing processes across different operating systems and processors.
Innovation Solution
An executive system and method that deploys on embedded computers, accessing configuration files to start, monitor, and shut down processes, with the ability to transition between states based on process health and user input, ensuring essential processes remain operational and initiating shutdown if necessary, while allowing for coordinated activity among embedded systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple autonomous embedded systems are deployed to control different aspects of a device, then system functionality and processing capability are improved, but coordination and synchronization between systems become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the control function into multiple autonomous embedded systems, each responsible for specific processes. The executive system is segmented into executive instances running on different embedded computers, with each instance managing a subset of processes independently while contributing to overall system control.
Solution Approach 2:
The executive system acts as an intermediary layer between the operating system and application processes. Executive instances communicate with each other and with a prime executive through standardized interfaces, coordinating activities without requiring direct integration between all embedded systems.
2Reliability
If the executive system monitors all processes across embedded systems, then system reliability is improved, but system complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring function is distributed across multiple executive instances, each responsible for monitoring specific processes on their local embedded system. This segmentation reduces the complexity of any single monitoring instance while maintaining comprehensive system-wide supervision through the collective effort of all instances.
Solution Approach 2:
Each executive instance autonomously monitors its own local processes and makes independent decisions about process management. The instances self-coordinate through standardized communication protocols, reducing the need for complex centralized control while maintaining reliable supervision.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the executive system shuts down essential processes that fail health checks, then system stability is improved, but loss of functional capability occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements heartbeat monitoring and health checks that detect process failures before they cause system-wide instability. By continuously monitoring process health and detecting anomalies early, the system can respond to failures before they compromise overall stability, cushioning against more severe disruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The executive system implements continuous feedback through heartbeat signals from monitored processes. When a process fails to send heartbeats or sends abnormal heartbeats, the executive receives feedback about the process state and can respond appropriately. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain stability by responding to actual process conditions rather than arbitrarily shutting down processes.
Data Source
AI summary
System and method for ensuring the integrity of multiple processes executing cooperatively on a plurality of embedded computers. The system can access at least one configuration file that can include the processes that need to be started, monitored, and stopped on the embedded computer. The configuration file can configure executive instances of the executive system to report to an executive prime, if necessary. The executive prime can, for example, communicate with and control aspects of the executive instances from each embedded computer, such as cooperative shutdowns under pre-selected conditions.