Modular Data Receiver Architecture for Fault-Tolerant Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data monitoring and management systems, such as continuous analyte monitoring systems, face challenges with increased complexity and potential failure modes due to heavy processing loads on microprocessors, which can disable devices and impact system performance if not optimized.
Innovation Solution
A fault-tolerant data receiver unit is configured with separate processing units for distinct modules, such as communication, user interface, and sample analysis, providing a modular, object-oriented processing architecture to manage non-overlapping functions and enhance system reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single microprocessor is used to control all functions in the data monitoring and management system, then the device can be kept simple in structure, but the processing load becomes heavy and the potential for failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data monitoring and management system into multiple independent modules, each with its own microprocessor. The receiver unit is segmented into a communication module with a first microprocessor and a sample analysis module with a second microprocessor. This segmentation distributes the processing load across multiple processors, reducing the burden on each individual processor while improving system reliability through functional independence.
2Reliability
If multiple modules with separate processing units are implemented, then system reliability and fault tolerance are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct modules (communication module, sample analysis module) with separate microprocessors, creating a modular architecture that improves fault tolerance. Each module can operate independently, and failure in one module does not necessarily disable the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal data structure format that can represent both continuous sensor data and discrete sample data. This multi-functional data structure allows the system to handle different types of monitoring data through a unified processing framework, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from having completely separate processing paths for different data types.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional features and functions are added to the device, then the system becomes more versatile, but the microprocessor load increases and potential failure modes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different functional modules to separate microprocessors, allowing the system to incorporate diverse features (continuous monitoring, discrete sampling, wireless communication, data analysis) without overloading a single processor. Each microprocessor handles specific functions, maintaining reliability even as system versatility increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a universal data structure as an intermediary format between different functional modules. This standardized data structure enables seamless data exchange between the communication module and sample analysis module, allowing additional features to be integrated without creating complex inter-module communication protocols that could introduce failure modes.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system for providing a fault tolerant data receiver unit configured with a partitioned or separate processing units, each configured to perform a predetermined and/or specific processing associated with the one or more substantially non-overlapping functions of the data monitoring and management system is provided.