Redundant Communication System for Reliability and Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication systems face reliability issues due to failures in communication buses or channels, which can lead to data loss and system downtime, and they often lack sufficient bandwidth to handle increased demands.
Innovation Solution
A redundant communication system is designed with a critical and non-critical communication channel, along with multiple control board modules that can switch data transfer between these channels in case of failures or bandwidth needs, ensuring continuous operation by redirecting critical information over non-critical channels if the primary channel fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single communication channel is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to potential communication failures
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into multiple independent communication channels (primary and secondary channels). Each channel can operate independently, allowing the system to maintain communication even if one channel fails. This segmentation directly addresses the reliability issue while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different communication channels are assigned different qualities or priorities. The primary channel handles critical communications while the secondary channel provides backup or non-critical communications. This local differentiation of quality allows the system to optimize reliability for critical functions without requiring all channels to be identical.
2Productivity
If additional communication components are added to increase bandwidth, then bandwidth capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication channels are designed to serve multiple functions. Both the primary and secondary channels can transmit critical and non-critical data, and either channel can take over based on operational needs. This multi-functionality allows the system to increase bandwidth capability without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same infrastructure serves multiple purposes.
3Reliability
If redundant components are added to avoid communication failure, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary communication channel is prepared in advance but remains inactive during normal operation. When a failure occurs in the primary channel, the system can quickly switch to the pre-configured secondary channel without delay. This preliminary preparation of redundant components improves reliability while minimizing the impact on system complexity during normal operation.
4Ease of operation
If communication channels are dedicated to specific data types, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when bandwidth needs change
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system dynamically adapts its configuration based on operational needs. The master module can dynamically switch which channel is active for critical communications based on the operational state of each channel. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to maintain ease of operation through clear channel assignments while achieving high adaptability when bandwidth or channel availability changes.
Data Source
AI summary
The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to an improved communication system that may have a plurality of control board modules and a display. The object of the disclosure is to transfer critical communication from the critical communication channel to the non-critical communication channel in the event of communication failure in the critical communication channel. Another object of the disclosure is to share data transfer between communication channels in order to manage bandwidth and system reliability.