Concurrent Data Paths in Industrial Control Networks for Fast Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
High availability industrial control systems face challenges in maintaining continuous operation due to delays or switchover times during subsystem failures, which can be detrimental in critical applications like power plants, as existing fault-tolerant mechanisms do not adequately address the need for immediate data communication redundancy.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of concurrent connections, which establish multiple redundant paths at the transport layer to ensure fault tolerance by generating data packets with per hop connection lists, allowing data to be transmitted through multiple paths and received by redundant intermediate nodes, ensuring that only the first received packet is processed and duplicates are discarded, thereby eliminating single points of failure and reducing safety connection timeouts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant subsystems are implemented to maintain operation during failures, then system reliability is improved, but switchover time increases causing operational delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing multiple concurrent connection paths before failures occur. These paths are set up in advance with proper routing and redundancy configurations, so that when a failure happens, the system can immediately switch to an alternative path without delay. The connection paths include primary and backup routes that are already validated and ready for immediate use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses intermediary elements such as redundant network adapters, bridges, and routing nodes that facilitate seamless transitions between connection paths. These intermediaries are configured to monitor path health and automatically redirect traffic through alternative routes when failures are detected, eliminating the need for manual intervention or lengthy switchover procedures.
2Reliability
If multiple redundant connection paths are established, then fault tolerance is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple connection paths into a unified concurrent connection framework that is managed as a single logical entity. Rather than treating each redundant path as a separate complex subsystem, the invention integrates them under common control mechanisms, shared configuration protocols, and unified monitoring systems, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining fault tolerance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal components that can serve multiple functions across different connection paths. Redundant adapters and bridges are designed to handle both primary and backup routes, and the same management infrastructure controls all paths. This multi-functionality reduces the need for path-specific components and simplifies the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A system of communicating data over a high availability industrial control system is disclosed. The industrial control system includes a first data producer, a second data producer in communicative connection with the first data producer, a first data consumer, and a second data consumer in communicative connection with the first data consumer. The system further includes the first producer communicating the data over multiple connection paths from the first producer to the first consumer and the second consumer through intermediate modules, and the second producer communicating the data over multiple connection paths from the second producer to the first consumer and the second consumer through intermediate modules. Also disclosed is a method of communicating data over the high availability industrial control system.