OS File System Redundancy for Process Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industrial process control and automation systems require custom hardware to support data redundancy between control system components, which limits their applicability to standard hardware and increases costs, especially when dealing with redundant execution of control algorithms.
Innovation Solution
Implementing process control redundancy using operating system (OS) file system support, which allows for the identification and transmission of data between control system components without the need for custom hardware, leveraging standard file system support built into modern operating systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If custom hardware is used to support data redundancy between control system components, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the memory space from the primary control component and transmits it to the redundant control component. This copying approach eliminates the need for custom hardware by using standard file system operations to replicate and synchronize data between components, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces custom hardware mechanisms with software-based file system operations. Instead of using specialized hardware for data redundancy, the invention uses operating system file system support to cache, transmit, and synchronize memory space changes, substituting mechanical/hardware systems with software-based solutions
2Reliability
If custom hardware is used for redundant control components, then reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the file system serve multiple functions by using it not only for its traditional purposes but also for caching and transmitting memory space changes for redundancy purposes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized hardware, making the system easier to manufacture using standard components
Solution Approach 2:
By copying memory space data through standard file system operations rather than custom hardware, the patent enables easier manufacturing. Standard hardware components can be used instead of specialized redundant hardware, simplifying the manufacturing process
3Ease of manufacture
If standard hardware is used without custom modifications, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to support data redundancy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables standard hardware to support data redundancy through self-service mechanisms. The file system automatically caches changes, identifies modified memory pages, and transmits them to redundant components without requiring custom hardware assistance. This self-service capability allows standard hardware to achieve redundancy functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes custom hardware mechanisms with software-based file system operations that enable standard hardware to support data redundancy. The file system software provides the redundancy functionality that would otherwise require specialized hardware
Data Source
AI summary
A method for use by a first device associated with a redundant second device includes issuing a synchronization request to a file system of the first device. The file system is configured to cache changes associated with a memory space of an application, the synchronization request causing the file system to send the cached changes to a driver of the first device The driver is used to commit the cached changes to a copy of the memory space of the application in order to cause the copy of the memory space of the application to match the memory space of the application. One or more changes made to the copy of the memory space of the application caused by committing the cached changes are identified. A change set identifying the one or more changes being made to the copy of the memory space of the application is created in a buffer and the change set transmitted from the buffer to the second device in order to synchronize an additional copy of the memory space of the application at the second device.