Microcontroller Failover for Electronic Device Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preventing system invalidation due to primary electronic device failure require additional software packages and synchronization processes, increasing costs and downtime, as backup devices often have different settings and require power-on/power-off procedures to seamlessly take over tasks.
Innovation Solution
A method using a microcontroller to detect primary electronic device failure and seamlessly switch to a spare device by transferring operation commands through specific interfaces, ensuring continuous system operation without the need for additional software packages or extensive data backup, by using the same hardware and software environment for primary and spare devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a backup device is used to take over when the primary device fails, then system reliability is improved, but the backup device requires synchronization processes and additional software packages, increasing device complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by configuring the backup electronic device with identical hardware specifications and software environments (including BIOS and MAC addresses) as the primary electronic device. This ensures both devices operate in the same environment, eliminating the need for complex synchronization processes and additional software packages when failover occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the backup device with the same operational settings, software, and environmental parameters as the primary device before failure occurs. This advance preparation allows the backup device to immediately take over without requiring synchronization processes or additional software installation when the primary device fails.
2Manufacturing precision
If the backup device performs synchronization processes to backup data, then data correctness is improved, but the power-on/power-off procedures and data transfer time increase the loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by maintaining the backup device in a ready-state with identical software and configuration as the primary device, eliminating the need for power-on/power-off procedures and data synchronization processes. When failover is required, the backup device can immediately continue the useful action of providing service without interruption or time loss.
3Reliability
If multiple software packages are installed for backup and synchronization, then system reliability is improved, but the software license cost dramatically increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a single software package that is identically installed on both the primary and backup electronic devices. This universal configuration allows either device to perform the same function regardless of which one is active, eliminating the need for multiple specialized software packages and reducing software license costs.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for preventing system invalidation including the microcontroller transferring the specific packet to the primary electronic device which operates according to the operation commands sent from the upstream device to provide the specific service, the primary electronic device returning the return packet, the microcontroller receiving the return packet, the microcontroller determining if the return packet is returned within a preset rang, if yes, repeating the above steps, if not, activating the spare electronic device to take over the primary electronic device to provide the specific service, and shutting down power supply of the primary electronic device. Therefore, the present invention ensures the spare electronic device smoothly takes over the task of the primary electronic device which accidentally fails, thereby preventing the whole system from being invalidated and improving the stability and reliability of the system operation.