Modular Edge Computing Node for Automated Certification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex systems with multiple components and subsystems face challenges in monitoring and certification due to the need for repeated testing and compliance with regulatory standards, leading to increased costs and delays in deployment.
Innovation Solution
A modular, reconfigurable edge computing node that selects input and output modules from catalogs, with a core module configured by core software to enable data processing and communication, automatically reconfiguring to satisfy certification requirements and optimize performance while detecting configuration violations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional monitoring systems are updated to meet evolving performance and functional demands, then the system can monitor evolving components and subsystems, but repeated certification processes increase cost and deployment time
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into discrete, independently certifiable components (sensors, processors, communication modules). Each component can be certified separately once, then recombined in different configurations without requiring full system recertification, enabling rapid adaptation to evolving components while maintaining compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
Core system components and their certification status are pre-established and stored in a database. When components evolve or new configurations are needed, the system automatically retrieves pre-certified components and validates their compatibility, avoiding repeated full certification processes and reducing deployment time.
2Reliability
If each local monitoring system undergoes separate certification processes, then compliance with regulations is ensured, but the certification process becomes repetitive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
A universal certification database and validation platform is implemented that serves multiple monitoring system configurations. Once components are certified, their certification status is universally recognized across different system configurations, eliminating repetitive certification processes while maintaining regulatory compliance through automated validation.
Solution Approach 2:
Certification data and compliance status are copied and stored in a centralized database. When new monitoring systems or configurations are deployed, the system automatically copies and validates certification data from the database rather than requiring complete recertification, significantly reducing certification costs while ensuring compliance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If monitoring systems are highly configurable to meet diverse data processing needs, then diverse components and subsystems can be monitored, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system uses dynamic configuration where components and parameters can be easily added, removed, or modified through software without physical reconfiguration. The system automatically adapts to changing monitoring needs by dynamically loading appropriate certification data and validation rules, maintaining high configurability while managing complexity through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A reconfigurable edge computing node of a complex system is provided, the edge computing node including a core module executing selectable core software, and selectable input module(s) and/or output module(s) which can be installed in corresponding input/output ports, wherein each of the input module(s) or output module(s) provides a conduit for moving data to or from the complex system, with selections being chosen from catalogs of available input modules, available output modules, and available core software. The edge computing node provides reconfiguration upon attachment of any input or output module(s), or upon installation of any core software, automatically reconfiguring the edge computing node to enable communication between the core module and the input module(s) and output module(s) using compatible protocols. Reconfiguration of the edge computing node has been previously tested for each allowable combination of available selections of the input and output module(s) to satisfy a certification requirement.