Ring Bus Failure Location Identification via Attribute Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ring-shaped bus systems fail to accurately determine the location of failures, leading to time-consuming and costly failure location analysis, making maintenance difficult.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus with a ring-shaped configuration that includes modules capable of transmitting and receiving packets with identification information, allowing for the determination of failure locations by generating OK and NG packets, which include chip ID or passage number information to identify the source of errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional self-diagnostic method is used to determine bus status, then it is simple to implement, but it cannot determine the failure location in the ring-shaped bus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (attribute data packets containing module identification information) that mediates between the simple diagnostic check and the detailed failure location identification. When a module detects a transmission failure, it inserts its own identification information into the diagnostic packet, allowing the origin of the failure to be traced without requiring complex additional diagnostic hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where diagnostic information flows back to the main module not only about the status (OK/NG) but also about the source of the diagnostic data. This feedback loop includes module identification information that enables the main module to determine which specific module experienced the failure, transforming the simple binary diagnostic into a location-aware diagnostic system.
2Loss of time
If conventional diagnostic method is used, then the implementation is simple, but it consumes time and cost in failure location analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having each module prepare and attach its identification information to diagnostic packets in advance, before actual failure analysis is needed. This pre-positioning of identification data means that when a failure occurs, the location information is already available in the packet, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual tracing or additional diagnostic procedures to identify the failure source.
3Productivity
If module transmits data continuously, then data transmission is efficient, but it increases power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having modules transmit diagnostic data only at specific intervals or when triggered by specific conditions (such as detecting an abnormality), rather than continuously. The main module requests diagnostic information periodically, and modules respond only when necessary, reducing unnecessary transmissions and associated power consumption while maintaining diagnostic effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of modules including at least a first module and a second module is connected in a ring shape. The first module includes a first transmission unit configured to transmit predetermined data. The second module adjacent to the first module includes a second reception unit configured to receive the predetermined data transmitted by the first transmission unit, and a second transmission unit configured to transmit first attribute data including identification information for identifying a module when the predetermined data has not been received within a first predetermined time period.