Electronic Control System Sensor Data Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic control systems fail to reliably detect errors in data transmitted from sensors, particularly when the detector or data generation circuit fails, leading to low data reliability.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a dual detector setup where a first detector outputs normal data and a second detector outputs monitor data, with the monitor data being a reversed version of the digital data from the second detector, allowing the control unit to determine failures in the detectors, output portion, or transmission line by comparing the normal and monitor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single detector and data generation circuit are used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of data transmission is insufficient because detector failures cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the data generation function into two separate circuits: a normal data generation circuit and a monitor data generation circuit. Each circuit independently processes the same input signal to generate respective data streams. This segmentation allows the system to monitor data integrity without requiring a complete redesign of the detection system, thereby improving reliability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different processing qualities to different data streams: normal data undergoes standard processing for control operations, while monitor data undergoes inverted processing specifically for error detection purposes. This local differentiation in data quality handling enables targeted reliability improvement in the monitoring pathway without affecting the primary data transmission pathway.
2Reliability
If positive data and negative data are generated from the same source data, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is compromised because detector failures produce identical errors in both data streams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the monitor data bits after generation but before transmission. This inversion creates a distinctive pattern that differs from the normal data stream. When the control unit receives the inverted monitor data, it can detect discrepancies caused by detector failures because the inversion pattern would be disrupted by any bit errors originating from detector malfunctions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the input signal through the monitor data generation circuit, processes this copy through bit inversion, and transmits it alongside the normal data. This copied and transformed data serves as a reference for detecting errors in the primary data stream, enabling error detection without requiring additional external reference sources.
3Reliability
If monitor data is transmitted unconditionally, then the error detection capability is maximized, but the loss of information increases due to redundant data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transmits monitor data selectively rather than unconditionally. The transmission of inverted monitor data is triggered only when specific conditions are met, such as during initialization phases or when error detection is particularly critical. This partial action approach provides sufficient error detection coverage for critical operations while reducing redundant transmissions during normal stable operation, thereby balancing reliability with transmission efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic control system in which a sensor transmits a data to a control unit is provided. In one embodiment, the sensor includes a first detector and a second detector each converting a physical quantity of a detection target into a digital data. An output portion of the sensor outputs in turn a normal data and a monitor data associated with each other. The normal data is the digital data outputted from the first detector, and the monitor data is a reversed data of the digital data outputted from the second detector. The control unit determines that at least one of the first detector, the second detector and the output portion has failure when the reversed data does not match the normal data.