Space Memory Upset Detection Using Statistical Interrupt Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods to mitigate single-event upsets in space environments, such as metal masks or metal shields, are inadequate, leading to incomplete protection against data corruption and increased costs, weight, and size, necessitating improved detection and handling of radiation-induced errors.
Innovation Solution
An exception handling system with a detection device, interrupt controller, and statistical unit deployed on spacecraft, which monitors storage devices for bit flips, generates statistical data, and triggers interrupt signals for the interrupt controller to perform exception handling based on the severity of radiation-induced upsets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If metal masks or metal shields are used to protect storage devices from cosmic rays, then radiation protection is improved, but weight, size, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical protection system (metal masks and shields) with a detection and response system consisting of statistical units, registers, and interrupt controllers that monitor and handle radiation-induced errors through software/firmware mechanisms, thereby eliminating the need for heavy physical shielding
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces statistical units and detection devices as intermediaries between the storage devices and the harmful radiation effects. These intermediaries monitor bit flips and generate interrupt signals to handle errors before they propagate, providing protection without requiring direct physical shielding of the storage devices
2Object-affected harmful factors
If metal masks or metal shields are used to protect storage devices from cosmic rays, then radiation protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex physical shielding structures with relatively simple detection circuits and control logic that can be integrated into existing storage devices, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining protection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The statistical units are integrated directly into the storage devices, enabling them to autonomously monitor their own state and generate interrupt signals when errors are detected, eliminating the need for complex external protection systems
3Weight of stationary object
If no radiation protection measures are taken, then weight and device complexity are reduced, but data reliability deteriorates due to single-event upsets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where statistical units continuously monitor storage device state, compare monitored values with reference values, and generate interrupt signals when anomalies are detected. This feedback loop enables real-time error detection and response, maintaining data reliability without requiring heavy physical protection
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary error detection by continuously monitoring storage device state before data corruption can propagate. The statistical units and interrupt controllers are positioned to detect single-event upsets early and trigger appropriate handling actions, preventing reliability issues before they occur
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an exception handling system and method for a space environment, and a detection device. The exception handling system includes: a detection device, an interrupt controller, and a to-be-detected storage device, the to-be-detected storage device includes a statistical unit and registers; the statistical unit is configured to read monitoring data from a specified position of the to-be-detected storage device, generate statistical data based on the monitoring data and reference data written into the specified position in advance, and store the statistical data in the registers; the detection device is configured to read the statistical data from the registers, determine an exception detection result, generate an interrupt signal based on the exception detection result, and send the interrupt signal to the interrupt controller; and the interrupt controller is configured to perform an exception handling based on the interrupt signal.