Imaging Accelerator Signature Checks for Permanent Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices in motor vehicles face faults such as transient and permanent errors, which can compromise safety and expose drivers and passengers to risks, as existing detection mechanisms are inadequate in ensuring high functional safety levels, particularly in imaging and vision hardware accelerators.
Innovation Solution
A fault detection system comprising a hardware accelerator, signature generator, and controller that processes reference and use-case frames to generate and compare image signatures, determining faults and adaptively updating reference frames to ensure continuous operational safety, aligning with standards like ASIL and IEC 61508 for automotive and industrial systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundancy in hardware architecture is used to detect transient faults, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reference frames as copies of expected correct output frames. By comparing signatures of actual output frames against signatures of reference frames, the system detects faults without requiring redundant hardware processing paths. This copying approach maintains reliability while avoiding the complexity of duplicate hardware architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signature values as intermediaries between the hardware accelerator output and the fault detection mechanism. Instead of directly comparing entire frames or using complex hardware redundancy, the system computes compact signature values that mediate the comparison process, reducing complexity while maintaining detection capability.
2Reliability
If self-test mechanisms are used to detect permanent faults, then detection capability is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes and stores reference frames and their signatures before normal operation. During self-test, the system only needs to compare current output signatures against these pre-prepared references, significantly reducing the time required for fault detection compared to performing complete processing tests.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential comparison element (signature values) from the full frame processing. By taking out just the signature comparison aspect for self-test purposes, the system achieves rapid permanent fault detection without re-processing entire frames, thus minimizing time loss.
3Measurement precision
If reference frames are stored for comparison, then fault detection accuracy is improved, but memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores compact signature values as copies rather than full reference frames. These signature copies retain the essential information needed for accurate fault detection while occupying minimal memory space, thus resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and memory usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the full frame data into condensed signature parameters. By changing the representation from complete frames to signature values, the system maintains fault detection accuracy while dramatically reducing the quantity of stored data.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and devices that improve fault detection capability of an imaging/vision hardware accelerator are provided. One such system includes a hardware accelerator, a signature generator, a signature processor, and a controller. These components cooperate to generate first and second output frames based on first and second reference frames, respectively; generate a third output frame based on a use-case frame; generate first and second image signatures based on the first and second output frames, respectively; compare the first image signature to a stored first reference image signature and output a first result; and compare the second image signature to a stored second reference image signature and output a second result. The controller determines, based on the results, whether the hardware accelerator has a fault at either a first time or a second time. When no fault is detected at either time, the controller analyzes the use-case frame for designation as an adaptive reference frame.