Nuclear Safety Instrumentation Logic Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Safety protection instrumentation systems in nuclear plants face challenges in preventing static logic errors and timing errors due to the complexity of verifying all input and internal state patterns in ASIC/FPGA systems, which can lead to unexpected behaviors and failures.
Innovation Solution
A safety protection instrumentation system using digital logic with functional units that verify output logic patterns against predicted values, incorporating a register for signal processing adjustments and handshaking for clock frequency synchronization, along with analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog elements for comprehensive verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If exhaustive testing is performed on all input and internal state patterns in ASIC/FPGA systems, then verification completeness is improved, but the complexity and time required for testing increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the complex verification process into two distinct phases: static analysis performed during design to identify potential failure patterns, and dynamic testing during operation to detect actual failures. This segmentation reduces the burden of exhaustive testing by pre-identifying critical test cases and focusing runtime resources on detecting actual failures rather than verifying all possible patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs static analysis and identifies failure patterns during the design phase before the system is deployed. By preliminarily analyzing the logic design to determine which input patterns could cause failures, the system prepares a focused test set that covers critical scenarios without requiring exhaustive testing of all possible input combinations during operation.
2Reliability
If static logic errors and timing errors are prevented through comprehensive verification, then system reliability is improved, but the verification process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates verification into static analysis (design phase) and dynamic monitoring (runtime). Static analysis uses formal methods to verify logic correctness without timing constraints, while dynamic monitoring focuses on detecting timing-related failures during actual operation. This segmentation allows each phase to specialize in its strength without being burdened by the other's complexities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical exhaustive testing with a hybrid approach combining formal static analysis methods and runtime failure pattern detection. Instead of physically testing all possible input combinations, the system uses mathematical analysis to prove correctness where applicable and monitors for specific failure patterns during operation, significantly reducing verification time while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If digital processing is used in radiation measuring apparatus, then functionality and integration are improved, but the risk of unexpected behaviors and software failures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements runtime monitoring that continuously compares actual system behavior against expected behavior patterns. When deviations are detected, the system can trigger alerts or corrective actions. This feedback mechanism provides ongoing verification of digital processing correctness without requiring exhaustive pre-testing of all possible software scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary monitoring layer that sits between the digital processing components and the external environment. This intermediary continuously observes the system state, detects failure patterns, and can intervene to prevent or mitigate the effects of software failures, providing an additional safety layer without fundamentally changing the digital processing architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A safety protection instrumentation system for a nuclear reactor is constructed by using digital logic. The digital logic includes functional units in which output logic patterns corresponding to all input logic patterns are verified in advance and a functional module formed by combining the functional units.