Redundant Processor Power Networks With Diverse Decoupling Capacitors
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Solution Overview
Problem
In safety-critical applications, conventional redundant systems using identical processors are susceptible to false negatives due to simultaneous power supply voltage variations causing identical erroneous outputs, which are not detected as errors.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a configurable decoupling capacitor system with diverse capacitance values and placements for each processor's power distribution network to ensure independent response to power events, reducing the likelihood of false negatives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If identical processors are used in redundant systems, then system complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but false negatives occur when power supply voltage variations cause identical erroneous outputs that are not detected as errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces decoupling capacitors with different capacitance values to different power distribution networks connected to identical processors. This creates local differences in power supply characteristics while maintaining identical processor designs, thereby reducing false negatives without increasing manufacturing complexity of the processors themselves
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters (capacitance values) of the power distribution networks by using decoupling capacitors with different capacitance values. This modifies the power supply response characteristics to ensure that identical processors experience different power fluctuations, preventing simultaneous identical errors
2Reliability
If decoupling capacitors with different capacitance values are used for each processor, then false negatives are reduced and reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power distribution system by providing separate power distribution networks with different decoupling capacitors to each processor. This segmentation allows independent control of power characteristics for each processor, achieving reliability improvement while containing complexity within the power distribution domain rather than the processor domain
3Reliability
If decoupling capacitors with different capacitance values are used for each processor, then false negatives are reduced and reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring decoupling capacitors with specific different capacitance values to specific power distribution networks. This creates targeted local differences in power characteristics that can be precisely controlled during manufacturing, ensuring that the diversity needed for reliability is achieved through deliberate design rather than requiring high precision across all components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system minimizes the occurrence of false negatives by ensuring each processor's power distribution network reacts differently to power fluctuations, maintaining accurate output comparisons and enhancing system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a first decoupling capacitor coupled to the first power distribution network... a second decoupling capacitor coupled to the second power distribution network
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
In certain aspects, a device comprises a first processing unit; a first power distribution network coupled to the first processing unit; a first decoupling capacitor coupled to the first power distribution network; a second processing unit configured to be identical to the first processing unit; a second power distribution network coupled to the second processing unit; and a second decoupling capacitor coupled to the second power distribution network, wherein the second decoupling capacitor is configured to have different effect on the second power distribution network than the first decoupling capacitor on the first power distribution network.