SDR Communication System with Segmented Processing Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software-defined radio (SDR) systems lack regulation for data exchange between modules, which is critical for safety-critical applications such as aviation, where ensuring the isolation and integrity of control and user data processing is essential for safety and certification purposes.
Innovation Solution
A communication system architecture with separate control data processing and user data processing units, connected via a limited and secured interface, where data exchange is regulated through a signature or checksum, and processing units can be restarted or reloaded in case of errors to maintain data integrity and prevent unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SDR modules are executed on different processors and memory areas to ensure quality of service, then resource isolation and quality of service are improved, but data exchange regulation between modules deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediary regulation mechanism is introduced between the control data processing unit and user data processing unit. This intermediary enforces regulated data exchange through defined connections, ensuring that modules executed on different processors and memory areas can communicate only through controlled interfaces, thus maintaining both quality of service and data exchange regulation
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct control data processing and user data processing units, each operating in isolated memory areas. This segmentation enables independent execution on different processors while maintaining regulated interaction through defined connection interfaces, resolving the contradiction between isolation and communication
2Reliability
If control data and user data are processed in separate units for safety-critical applications, then safety and data integrity are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate control data processing units and user data processing units, each handling distinct data types. This segmentation ensures that control data (critical for safety) and user data (non-critical) are processed independently, preventing errors from propagating between domains while maintaining manageable system complexity through clear separation of concerns
Solution Approach 2:
Different processing units are assigned different quality requirements and processing characteristics. Control data processing units operate with strict integrity checks and regulated access, while user data processing units have more flexible handling. This local quality differentiation ensures safety-critical data receives appropriate protection without unnecessarily complicating the entire system
3Reliability
If data exchange between processing units is limited to ensure safety, then safety certification is improved, but communication flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The data exchange regulation mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The defined connections between control and user data processing units can be configured and modified through software, allowing the system to adapt communication patterns while maintaining safety constraints. This enables safety certification through regulated exchange while preserving flexibility for different application scenarios
Data Source
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AI summary
The system (1) has a separation-kernel-operating system (3) i.e. operating system, connected with a CPU (2), a control processing unit (4) and a payload processing unit (5), and controlling the CPU, the control processing unit and the payload processing unit. The control processing unit and the payload processing unit are connected with each other by a connection (8). The connection allows exchange of a limited number of data e.g. characteristic parameter, between the control processing unit and the payload processing unit. An independent claim is also included for a method for a communication system for mobile communication.