Interlocking Data Conversion Using Dual Translators for Formal Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and scale of interlocking systems in rail traffic signal systems make it challenging to verify interlocking data thoroughly, leading to potential safety risks due to untested data channels and increased design defects.
Innovation Solution
A method involving two translators developed in different programming languages to convert interlocking data into formats recognizable by formal verification tools, ensuring consistency and safety through comparison of output files.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional test verification process by manual test is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but measurement precision and reliability of interlocking data verification deteriorate due to inability to cover all application scenes and potential mistaken data channels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical testing with automated formal verification methods. The formal verification tool automatically analyzes interlocking data against safety specifications, eliminating the need for manual test case design and execution while achieving complete coverage of all possible application scenes and data channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates formal models that are precise copies or representations of the actual interlocking system behavior. These formal models include interlocking objects, safety specifications, and test scenarios that mirror the real system, allowing exhaustive verification without physical testing.
2Reliability
If formal verification is applied to each specific station, then reliability and measurement precision improve, but device complexity and technical cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal formal verification framework that can be applied to any interlocking station regardless of specific configuration. The safety specifications and verification methods are designed to be station-agnostic, allowing the same formal verification tool and process to verify interlocking data across multiple different stations without requiring custom development for each station.
3Adaptability or versatility
If interlocking system complexity increases to meet functional requirements, then adaptability and versatility improve, but difficulty of detecting and measuring errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The formal verification process provides automatic feedback on whether interlocking data satisfies safety specifications. The verification tool analyzes the formal models and generates verification results that indicate whether the interlocking logic meets safety requirements, making error detection systematic and automated rather than manual and difficult.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are an interlocking data safe conversion method for formal verification and a translator. Two translators with same functions are developed by adopting different programming methods and programming languages. An input file of each of the translators at least comprises an interlocking information table in interlocking data, a device interface information table, a station yard description data and interlocking Boolean logic data. Consistency of output files of the two translators is compared to realize detection process failure, so that safe conversion of data is guaranteed. It is unnecessary to perform specific formal development for each station, so that the technical cost and the design risk are reduced, and the present invention is high in safety, good in compatibility, high in universality and wide in application range.