Provisioning Server Logic for Secure Multi-Channel Machine Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current safety control architectures, whether redundant or single-channel with diagnostic, face high technical complexity and cost due to the need for consistent measures throughout development and production, making them challenging to implement and maintain effectively.
Innovation Solution
A provisioning server that synchronizes multiple distributed control platforms to generate a secured control parameter by comparing single-channel control parameters from various sources, ensuring that at least the first error does not affect safety-relevant processes, thereby achieving diversitary redundancy without the complexity of multi-channel architectures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant or single-channel with diagnostic safety control architectures are used, then safety reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the safety control function into multiple independent distributed controls, each operating as a separate single-channel unit. These segmented controls communicate their results to a provisioning server that aggregates them to achieve multi-channel safety reliability without requiring each individual control to be complex multi-channel architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
A provisioning server acts as an intermediary between distributed single-channel controls and the final safety decision. The server receives control parameters from multiple independent controls, processes them through comparison logic, and generates the final secured control parameter, thereby enabling safety redundancy without complicating individual control devices.
2Reliability
If redundant or single-channel with diagnostic safety control architectures are used, then safety reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple inexpensive single-channel distributed controls instead of one or two expensive multi-channel safety controls. By deploying cheaper, simpler control units in parallel and using a provisioning server to aggregate their output, the system achieves the same safety reliability at lower overall cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The provisioning server performs multiple functions: receiving control parameters from various distributed controls, comparing parameters for agreement, detecting errors, and generating secured control parameters. This multi-functional approach consolidates safety logic into a single component, reducing overall system cost.
3Reliability
If consistent safety measures are implemented throughout development and production, then safety reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of control architecture from centralized multi-channel to distributed single-channel units. By transforming the architectural approach while maintaining safety through parameter comparison and agreement logic in the provisioning server, the system achieves consistency in safety measures without increasing individual device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a provisioning server for providing a secured control parameter for multi-channel control of a machine using a plurality of distributed controls that output single-channel control parameters. The provisioning server includes a first communication interface configured to receive a plurality of single-channel control parameters from the plurality of distributed controls, a processor configured to compare the received single-channel control parameters and output one of the received control parameters as the secured control parameter if a threshold number of the single-channel control parameters are in agreement, and a second communication interface configured to send the secured control parameter to the machine via a communication network.