PRP Redundancy Manager for Early Network Path Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP) packages do not provide path fault diagnostics, leading to communication path faults going undetected until multiple faults occur, which is too late for time-sensitive systems like process control systems (PCS).
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a redundancy manager in electronic devices with PRP-based communication networks to detect path faults by transmitting frame pairs over two lanes, comparing frame parameters to identify redundant frames, and implementing a receive processing flow to alert for path faults, allowing for early warning and corrective action.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If PRP protocol transmits duplicate frames over two lanes without path fault detection, then communication redundancy is maintained, but path faults remain undetected until multiple faults occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a redundancy manager as an intermediary component that monitors frame parameters and detects path faults. This manager analyzes sequence numbers, port IDs, and frame counts from transmitted and received frames to identify communication path issues, thereby adding detection capability without disrupting the existing PRP redundancy mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring frame parameters (sequence numbers, port IDs, frame counts) and comparing expected versus actual reception. When discrepancies are detected, the system generates alerts about path faults, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that enables real-time fault detection while maintaining operational redundancy
2Ease of operation
If PRP nodes discard redundant frames using sequence number comparison, then duplicate frame rejection is achieved, but path fault diagnostics are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The redundancy manager performs preliminary analysis of frame parameters before frames are discarded. By examining sequence numbers, port IDs, and frame counts in advance, the system can detect path faults early and generate alerts, rather than waiting for communication failures to manifest
Solution Approach 2:
The redundancy manager serves multiple functions: it enables duplicate frame rejection through sequence number comparison while simultaneously providing path fault diagnostics through parameter analysis. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by making the same frame processing mechanism serve both purposes
3Loss of time
If alert system is implemented for path fault detection, then early warning capability is provided, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The redundancy manager performs self-service by automatically monitoring frame parameters, comparing expected versus actual reception, and generating alerts without requiring external intervention. The system uses its own transmitted frames as the basis for detection, eliminating the need for separate diagnostic infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial monitoring by focusing on key frame parameters (sequence numbers, port IDs, frame counts) rather than analyzing all frame contents. This selective approach provides adequate fault detection capability while minimizing the complexity overhead of the alert system
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic device and other electronic device include a first and second port that utilizes a parallel redundancy protocol in a communications network including a first and second lane. The devices include a processing circuit, a PRP handler, a protocol stack, a memory, permanent storage accessible by the processing circuit, and transmit and receive circuitry for transmitting and receiving packets. A redundancy manager is for identifying path faults in the network. The processing circuit implements a method of detecting network path fault, including the other electronic device transmitting a frame pair over the first lane and second lane. The electronic device receives the frame pair and implements a receive processing flow, when the first frame or the second frame is identified to be a redundant frame, removes the redundant frame, and compares a first frame parameter to a second frame parameter to determine when the path fault is present.