Servo-Assisted Radiation Device Control With Sensor Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control systems for servo-assisted devices used in receiving and transmitting electromagnetic radiations are not robust or reliable, particularly due to sensor malfunctions, and redundancy-based solutions are inefficient due to size, weight, and economic constraints.
Innovation Solution
A control method and system that utilizes an inertial measurement unit, on-board electronic control unit, and dual sensor systems with integrity checks to generate and switch between control signals, ensuring continuous operation even in case of sensor failure, implemented using FPGAs for processing and wireless communication for real-time control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundancy-based control solutions are implemented to improve system reliability, then the reliability of servo-assisted device control is improved, but the size, weight, and cost of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independent control channels, each capable of autonomous operation. The primary control channel processes commands normally, while secondary channels remain standby-ready. This segmentation allows reliability improvement without requiring complete redundant duplication of the entire system, thereby controlling weight increase.
Solution Approach 2:
Secondary control channels are pre-configured and kept in standby mode with all necessary processing capabilities already prepared. When a failure is detected in the primary channel, the secondary channel can immediately take over without requiring system reconfiguration or additional setup time. This preliminary preparation ensures rapid failover while maintaining a compact system architecture.
2Reliability
If redundancy-based control solutions are implemented to improve system reliability, then the reliability of servo-assisted device control is improved, but the cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control channels share common hardware resources including processors, memory, and communication interfaces. The secondary control channels utilize the same physical infrastructure as the primary channel, merging resources rather than duplicating them entirely. This combining approach significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the reliability benefits of redundant control paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed with universal components that can serve multiple functions. The same processing unit can operate as primary or secondary control channel depending on system state. This multi-functionality allows a single set of components to provide both normal operation and backup capability, reducing overall system cost while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If integrity check mechanisms are added to detect sensor failures, then the reliability of control signals is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrity check mechanism implements continuous feedback monitoring of control signals and sensor data. Checksum validation and consistency checks provide real-time feedback on signal integrity. This feedback approach detects failures automatically without requiring complex manual monitoring systems, improving reliability while keeping the added complexity manageable through automated processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-diagnosis and self-validation through automated integrity checks. The secondary control channels can independently verify the health of sensors and processing units without external intervention. This self-service capability improves reliability by enabling automatic failure detection and channel switching, while the complexity is contained within the automated self-monitoring framework rather than requiring additional external monitoring equipment.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
A control method (100) for electronically controlling the movement of a servo-assisted device (3) for receiving and/or transmitting and/or reflecting electromagnetic radiations, comprising the steps of: - acquiring (101) first sensor data by means of at least one first sensor (s1, s2); - acquiring (201) second sensor data by means of at least one second sensor (s2, s3); - processing (102) the first sensor data to synthesize a first control signal (cs1) by means of a first algorithm for controlling the movement of the servo-assisted device (3); - processing (202) the second sensor data to synthesize a second control signal (cs2) by means of a second algorithm for controlling the movement of the servo-assisted device (3), the step of processing (202) the second sensor data being carried out in parallel with the step of processing (102) the first sensor data; - performing an integrity check (103) of the first sensor data and/or of said first control signal (cs1) to determine if said first sensor data and/or said first control signal (cs1) are intact or compromised; - if it is determined from said integrity check step (103) that said first sensor data and/or said first control signal (cs1) are intact, providing the servo-assisted device (3) with the first control signal (cs1); otherwise - providing (204) the servo-assisted device (3) with the second control signal (cs2).