Maritime Vessel Control Unit With Cross-Checked Computing Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing maritime vessel systems lack integration and fail to consider safety requirements, leading to potential errors and malfunctions due to inadequate data integrity monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A control unit with dual computing elements that cross-compare outputs to ensure data integrity, initiating preventive actions if discrepancies exceed a predetermined tolerance, and includes high and low integrity control units for flexible and robust operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing simple systems are used without integration, then device complexity is reduced, but data integrity and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is divided into multiple independent computing elements (first computing element, second computing element) that each process input signals separately. This segmentation allows each element to operate independently while maintaining overall system integrity through cross-comparison of their outputs, thereby improving reliability without requiring complete system integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates redundant copies of computational processes by having multiple computing elements perform the same or similar calculations on the same input signals. The outputs from these copied processes are then compared to detect discrepancies, ensuring data integrity while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular redundancy.
2Reliability
If cross-comparison of outputs is implemented, then data integrity is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The computing elements generate their outputs simultaneously from the same input signals before any comparison takes place. This preliminary parallel processing allows the cross-comparison to occur after both outputs are ready, minimizing additional time loss while ensuring integrity checking is performed on complete computational results.
3Reliability
If preventive actions are initiated on discrepancy detection, then system safety is improved, but operational continuity may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system is configured to initiate preventive actions automatically when discrepancies between computing element outputs are detected. This preliminary anti-action prevents erroneous data from propagating through the system, protecting against potential failures while maintaining operational continuity by addressing issues before they cause system-wide disruptions.
Data Source
AI summary
A control unit for a maritime vessel configurable to monitor integrity of an operation and/or data used by a system of the maritime vessel. The control unit comprises: a first computing element configured to process a first input signal to generate a first output; and a second computing element configured to process a second input signal to generate a second output. The first computing element is configured to compare the first output with the second output, and if the first output and the second output do not match within a predetermined tolerance then the first computing element is configured to initiate and/or perform a preventive action. The second computing element is configured to compare the second output with the first output, and if the first output and the second output do not match within the predetermined tolerance then the second computing element is configured to initiate and/or perform the preventive action.