Redundant Control System via Time-Synchronized Packet Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control systems face challenges in achieving high reliability while minimizing downtime and costs, particularly in large-scale systems where redundancy methods like standby and continuous redundancy have limitations in terms of cost and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a communication network scheme that synchronizes control functions through time-stamped packets, allowing for the selection and processing of redundant data packets based on function and time identifiers, and deploying control functions across multiple devices to ensure continuous operation and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standby redundancy is implemented, then cost is reduced, but dead time increases due to abnormality detection and switching procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The redundant controller continuously executes control calculations in advance before any failure occurs, maintaining readiness without requiring actual switching. This preliminary action eliminates dead time while keeping the redundant system inactive during normal operation, resolving the contradiction between cost efficiency and availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a virtual copy of the controller through software redundancy, where the redundant controller is a software instance that can be activated without physical hardware switching. This copying approach enables instantaneous takeover during failures while maintaining cost efficiency through shared hardware resources.
2Reliability
If continuous redundancy is implemented, then availability is improved, but cost increases due to double the number of elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the redundant controller with the main controller by implementing both as software instances on shared hardware platforms. This merging allows continuous redundancy functionality while using a single physical controller unit, thereby maintaining high availability without the cost penalty of duplicate hardware elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed as a universal platform that can execute multiple control functions through software configuration. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware to serve both the main controller and redundant controller roles, enabling continuous redundancy without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each controller function.
3Reliability
If redundancy is implemented to satisfy time constraints, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hardware redundancy mechanisms with software-based control calculations. Instead of using separate physical redundant controllers that require synchronization and switching infrastructure, the system uses software instances that share the same computational platform, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining time constraint satisfaction through software-controlled redundancy activation.
Data Source
AI summary
Example implementations described herein are directed to a plurality of control functions connected via a communication network and synchronized, where the control functions communicate packets including control data, the function identifier for the function associated with the control data, and time identifier such as a time identifier representing the synchronized time associated with the control data. Example implementations determine control data associated with the function identifier and the time identifier from one or more packets that has the same function identifier and time identifier, received in the certain time period based on the time specified by the time identifier.