Redundant Processor Validation for Reconfigurable Control Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reconfigurable control systems for vehicles such as spacecraft and aircraft lack effective methods for validating the occurrence of predetermined events and changes in configuration, which is crucial for dynamic reconfiguration.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system comprising redundant processors and sensors that communicate via a bus to validate the occurrence of events by receiving notices from sensors and reconfiguring operations in response, ensuring that a majority of processors acknowledge the event before reconfiguring, thereby ensuring reliable and synchronized system changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If reconfigurable control systems are implemented to dynamically adapt to predetermined events, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but reliability is worsened due to lack of validation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of predetermined events before executing reconfiguration. Sensors detect events and generate notices that are validated by processors before the system transitions to a new configuration, ensuring that reconfiguration only occurs when events are confirmed valid.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through redundant sensors and processors that continuously monitor and validate system state. Sensors provide feedback about predetermined events, processors validate this feedback through majority voting, and the system responds with appropriate reconfiguration actions only when validation succeeds.
2Reliability
If redundant processors and sensors are added to validate predetermined events, then reliability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments validation functions across multiple redundant sensors and processors. Each sensor independently detects predetermined events, and each processor independently validates notices from sensors. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high reliability through distributed validation without requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The redundant processors and sensors serve multiple functions: they detect predetermined events, validate notices through majority voting, and trigger reconfiguration when validation succeeds. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If majority voting is implemented among redundant processors, then measurement precision is improved for event detection, but loss of time is worsened due to coordination overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary parallel validation of sensor notices by multiple processors simultaneously. Rather than sequentially checking each processor's validation status, the system prepares and compares validation results in parallel, reducing the time penalty associated with majority voting while maintaining detection accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for validating predetermined events in reconfigurable control systems are provided. One method includes receiving, by a plurality of redundant processors operating in a first mode, a notice from two of three redundant sensors that the predetermined event occurred and reconfiguring the plurality of redundant processors to operate in a second mode in response to the notice. Another method includes receiving a first notice that one or more sensors detected that a first vehicle is coupled to a second vehicle at a primary control system and a secondary control system and reconfiguring the primary control system and the secondary control system to operate in another mode at substantially the same time in response to the notice.