Signal Processing Device Toggle Rate Failure Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing signal processing devices require stopping signal processing to detect failures, which is inefficient and can only detect failures in activated circuits using specific current data or arithmetic operation parameters.

Innovation Solution

A signal processing device that calculates toggle rates of input and processed signals, comparing differences to detect errors without relying on specific current data or uniquely set parameters, allowing for continuous operation and comprehensive failure detection across all circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If signal processing is stopped to detect failures using test patterns, then failure detection accuracy is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to interruption of normal signal processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefailure detection accuracyVSAvoidsignal processing throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous failure detection during normal signal processing operations by monitoring toggle rates of input and output signals simultaneously, eliminating the need to stop processing for test pattern injection. This maintains productivity while providing ongoing failure detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the actual input and output signals being processed to self-diagnose failures by comparing toggle rates, rather than requiring external test patterns. The normal operational signals serve dual purposes: processing and failure detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If all circuits are activated to detect all failures, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for multiple test images and parameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive failure detectionVSAvoidtest parameter management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The toggle rate monitoring mechanism serves as a universal failure detection method that works for all signal processing circuits regardless of their specific function or activation state. A single detection approach handles diverse circuits without requiring circuit-specific test parameters or configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the detection parameter from circuit-specific test patterns to a universal toggle rate metric that can be applied to any signal processing circuit. This parameter transformation simplifies the detection mechanism while maintaining comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3422187B1Signal processing device, signal processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3422187B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3422187B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3422187B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a signal processing device, a signal processing method, and a program that enable detection of a failure without stopping signal processing. A toggle rate is calculated for each of signals of a preceding stage and a subsequent stage of a signal processing unit and, in a case where a difference therebetween is larger than a predetermined threshold value, it is assumed that an error caused by a failure is occurring in the signal processing unit. The present disclosure can be applied to a drive assistance device of a vehicle.