Multi-Core Engine Data Management for Safety-Level Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gas turbine engines deployed in the field face challenges in accessing and updating configuration data due to rapid advancements in computer and communication technologies, making it difficult to interface with offboard systems effectively over their extended service life.
Innovation Solution
A multi-core processor system is employed, where one processing core handles engine control tasks with a high safety level and another core manages data communication tasks with a lower safety level, enabling secure and efficient communication with offboard systems without requiring physical access or extensive customized cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single processor handles both engine control and data communication tasks, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to safety level conflicts between critical engine control and non-critical communication updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the processor into multiple independent cores, each dedicated to specific safety levels. Critical engine control tasks run on high-safety cores while non-critical communication tasks run on lower-safety cores, eliminating safety level conflicts while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a safety manager as an intermediary component that mediates between different safety levels. The safety manager monitors and controls interactions between high-safety and low-safety tasks, ensuring that communication updates never compromise engine control safety requirements.
2Reliability
If physical access is required for data access and updates, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in accessing deployed engines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication unit as an intermediary that enables remote data access and updates through wireless communication. This intermediary maintains security by implementing authentication and authorization protocols while eliminating the need for physical access to the deployed engine.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical requirement for physical access with electronic/wireless communication mechanisms. Data access and updates are transmitted electronically through the communication unit, substituting the need for physical connection cables and direct hardware access.
3Reliability
If customized cables and physical interfaces are used for communication, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to interface complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal communication unit that handles multiple communication functions (data access, updates, monitoring) through a single wireless interface. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for multiple specialized physical interfaces and customized cables while maintaining communication reliability.
4Productivity
If a single core handles all tasks, then productivity is improved through simplified processing, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to handle multiple safety levels simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing system into multiple cores, each optimized for specific safety levels and task types. This segmentation enables simultaneous handling of multiple safety levels without compromising processing efficiency, as each core can execute its assigned tasks independently and concurrently.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein provide a method for assigning tasks to processors of a multi-core processor associated with a gas turbine engine. The method includes assigning a first processing core of the multi-core processor to perform a first type of tasks having a first safety level. The method further includes assigning a second processing core of the multi-core processor to perform a second type of tasks having a second safety level, the second safety level being different than the first safety level. The method further includes executing a first core task of the first type of tasks on the first processing core. The method further includes executing a second core task of the second type of tasks on the second processing core.