Redundant System Wireless Switching for Fault Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In redundant systems with multiple devices communicably coupled in a ring shape via communication paths, malfunctions in two or more parts can cause the system to divide into groups, disrupting wired communication and potentially leading to system failure.
Innovation Solution
Each device in the system is equipped with a wireless communication unit that allows it to switch from wired to wireless communication when malfunctions occur, ensuring continuous communication between devices by connecting through functional paths and groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple devices are communicably coupled in a ring shape via communication paths to provide redundancy, then system reliability is improved, but when two or more malfunctions occur, the system divides into isolated groups and communication is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless communication path is introduced as an intermediary between devices in the ring topology. When wired communication paths fail due to malfunctions, the wireless path serves as a mediator to maintain communication between isolated groups, preventing system fragmentation and ensuring continuous operation.
2Device complexity
If wired communication paths are used in a ring configuration, then system structure is simple and reliable, but the system cannot adapt when communication paths malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system transitions from a static wired-only configuration to a dynamic hybrid configuration. Devices can switch between wired and wireless communication paths based on real-time operational conditions, allowing the system to adapt its communication mode when malfunctions occur while maintaining overall structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication mode parameter is changed from exclusively wired to a selectable state between wired and wireless. This parameter change enables the system to respond to malfunction conditions by switching communication paths, thereby improving adaptability without fundamentally altering the physical ring structure.
3Reliability
If redundant communication paths are implemented, then communication continuity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a primary communication path and as a backup redundant path. This universal design allows a single wireless component to fulfill multiple roles, providing redundancy without requiring separate dedicated backup infrastructure and thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A redundant system includes devices communicably coupled via communication paths. Each device is communicably coupled via two or more of the communication paths to two or more of the other devices. Each device performs wired communication via the communication paths with the devices communicably coupled to the each device via the communication paths in a normal state. Each device includes a wireless communication unit. When each device communicates with the two or more of the other devices under a condition that malfunction occurs in two or more parts in the redundant system, the each device performs the wired communication via the communication path with a counterpart device with which the wired communication via the communication path is enabled, and switches from the wired communication via the communication path to wireless communication and continues communication with the counterpart device with which the wired communication via the communication path is disabled.