Storage Control Device Signal Line Abnormality Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inter-CM communication in RAID systems using the I2C bus is prone to deadlocks due to undetected abnormal states, where signal levels become stuck, affecting data transmission and reception.
Innovation Solution
A storage control device with a feedback unit and detecting units that monitor signal levels on the I2C bus, using buffers to feed back signals and detect abnormalities by comparing them to expected levels, thereby identifying stuck faults and preventing deadlocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If I2C bus is used for inter-CM communication, then data transmission and reception between control modules is enabled, but communication deadlock occurs when signal lines become stuck at specific levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary detection of signal line abnormalities by monitoring signal levels at predetermined timing points before communication deadlock occurs. The detecting unit checks whether signal levels match expected values at specific timing, enabling early detection of stuck faults before they cause communication failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the detecting unit continuously monitors signal lines and compares actual signal levels with expected levels. When a mismatch is detected, the system receives feedback about the abnormality and can take corrective actions to prevent communication deadlock.
2Reliability
If signal level monitoring is implemented to detect stuck faults, then communication deadlock can be prevented, but device complexity increases due to additional detecting units and feedback mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The detecting unit is designed to monitor multiple signal lines (SDA, SCL, and other bidirectional signals) using a unified detection mechanism. This multi-functional approach allows the same hardware structure to detect abnormalities across different signal types, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically detecting signal line abnormalities without requiring external monitoring equipment. The detecting units continuously monitor signal levels and compare them against expected values, enabling the system to identify and report faults autonomously.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller module (CM) includes buffers that feed back signals output using respective signal lines used for mutual communication with other CM, and a first detecting unit and a second detecting unit that detect abnormality such that the levels of the signals output using the signal lines do not change from respective specific levels when each level of the fed-back signals does not coincide with an expected level being a level previously determined according to a predetermined timing.