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EP0315303A2
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EP
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Duplicated fault-tolerant computer system with error checking
Assignee: Digital Equipment Corp
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Filing: 1988-09-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-09-01
Abstract
Abstract A fault tolerant computer system having a first processing system which includes a first data processor for executing a series of data processing instructions. A first data output terminal outputs data from the first processing system. A second processing system, substantially identical to the first processing system, operates independently from the first processing system. The second processing system includes a second data processor for executing the series of data processing instructions in the same sequence as the first data processor. It also includes a second data output terminal for outputting data from the second processing system. A synchronizing device is coupled to the first and second data processors for maintaining the execution of the series of data processing instructions by the first and second processing systems in synchronism. Fault detection devices are coupled to the first and second data output terminals for comparing the data output from the first processing system with the data output from the second processing system. The fault detection devices identify the presence of an error when the data output from the first processing system at the first output terminal is different from the data output from the second processing system at the second output terminal.
Inventors
- 👤 William F. Bruckert
- 👤 Thomas D. Bissett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 07:00
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/04; G06F1/12; G06F1/16; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/1629; G06F11/1633; G06F11/1641; G06F11/1645; G06F11/165; G06F11/1658; G06F11/1675; G06F11/1679; G06F11/0703; G06F11/0751; G06F11/0754; G06F11/076; G06F11/0796; G06F11/08; G06F11/10; G06F11/1008; G06F11/1044; G06F11/14; G06F11/22; G06F11/2205; G06F2201/00; G06F2201/88
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A fault tolerant computer system comprising: a first processing system including a first data processor for executing a series of data processing instructions, and a first data output terminal for outputting data from said first processing system; a second processing system, substantially identical to said first processing systems and operating independently of said first processing system, said second processing system including a second data processor for executing said series of data processing instructions in the same sequence as said first data processor, and a second data output terminal for outputting data from said second procesor system; synchronizing means, coupled to said first and second data processors, for maintaining the execution of said series of data processing instructions by said first and second processing systems in synchronism; and fault detection means coupled to said first and second data output terminals for comparing the data output from said first processing system with the data output from said second processing system, said fault detection means including means for identifying the presence of an error when said data output from said first processing system at said first output terminal is different from the data output from said processing system at said second output terminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A fault tolerant computer system comprising: a first processing system including a first data processor for executing a series of data processing instructions, and a first data output terminal for outputting data from said first processing system; a second processing system, substantially identical to said first processing systems and operating independently of said first processing system, said second processing system including a second data processor for executing said series of data processing instructions in the same sequence as said first data processor, and a second data output terminal for outputting data from said second procesor system; synchronizing means, coupled to said first and second data processors, for maintaining the execution of said series of data processing instructions by said first and second processing systems in synchronism; and fault detection means coupled to said first and second data output terminals for comparing the data output from said first processing system with the data output from said second processing system, said fault detection means including means for identifying the presence of an error when said data output from said first processing system at said first output terminal is different from the data output from said processing system at said second output terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The fault tolerant computer system of claim 1 wherein said synchronizing means includes: first clock means, coupled to said first data processor, for providing timing signals for said first data processor, and second clock means, coupled to said data processor, for providing timing signals for said second data processor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
88 words
The fault tolerant computer system of claim 2 wherein said first clock means includes first oscillator means for generating said first timing signals for said first data processing system, and phase locking means coupled to said first oscillator means, for synchronizing said first and second timing signals; and wherein said second clock means includes second oscillator means for generating said second timing signals for said second data processing sytem, and second phase locking means, coupled to said second oscillator means, for synchronizing said second and first timing siganls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
206 words
The fault tolerant computer system of claim 1 further comprising a first output module coupled to said first and second data output terminals to receive said data output from said first and second processing systems, said first output module including first data comparison means for checking the equality of the data output from said first and second processing systems prior to further transmission in said first output module, and first data merging means, coupled to said first data comparison means, for merging the data output from said first and second processing systems into a first output stream for said first output module; and a second output module coupled to said first and second data output terminals to receive said data output from said first and second processing systems, said second output module including second data comparison means for checking the equality of the data output from said first and second processing systems prior to further transmission in said second output module, and second data merging means for merging the data output from said first and second processing systems into a second output stream for said second output module; and wherein said identifying means in said fault detecting means includes said first and second data comparison means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The fault tolerant computer system of claim 4 wherein s and second data comparison means include error signal generating transmitting an error signal to said first and second processing systems, respectively, when said data output from said first and second processing systems are different.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fault tolerant computer system of claim 1 further including cross-link communication means for providing a bidirect data path between said first and second processing system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
116 words
A fault tolerant computer system of claim 6 wherein sai communication means includes first and second cross-link elements together, said first cross-link element including: first output routing means for transferring the data output from said first processing system to said first data output terminal and to said second processing system, and first input routing means for transferring the data output from said second processing system to said first output module; and said second cross-link element including second output routing means for transferring the data output from said second data processing system to said first processing system, and second input routing means for transferring the data output from said first processing system to said second output module.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
The fault tolerant computer system of claim 7 wherein s first and second data processors include first and second memory and wherein respectively, said first output means includes means for transferring data from said first memory unit to said first data output terminal and to said second processing system, and said second output means includes means for transferring data from said second memory unit to said second dat output terminal and to said first processing system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A fault tolerant computing system of claim 8 wherein sai and second data processors contain a first and second pair of cen units respectively, and wherein said first pair of central proces in said first data processor is connected to said first memory un second pair of central processing units in said second data proce is connected to said second memory unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The fault tolerant computer system of claim 1 further including error isolation means, responsive to the identification error by said identifying means, for locating the portion of said tolerant computer system causing the error.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fault tolerant computer system of claim 10 further including recovery means, coupled to said error isolation means, for removing from operation the element of said computer system causing the error.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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