EP0399308A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer network for real time control with automatic fault identification and by-pass
Assignee: Bombardier Transportation Holdings USA Inc
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Filing: 1990-05-11
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A computer network for real time control having redundant components for automated fault identification and automated bypass of identified faulty components. The system includes at least two main computers, each coupled to at least two independent parallel data channels. A plurality of satellite computer pairs are connected to these channels, each pair receiving information from a plurality of I/O racks which are connected to redundant sensors for detecting information and to redundant actuators for implementing system control. The main computers are continuously crosslinked and perform evaluation of their respective input and output streams comparing these streams for consistency between the main computers. In the event that an inconsistency is detected in the data streams, the system checks for faulty components to determine the origin of the inconsistency. The system utilizes an evaluation method whereby each main computer independently accesses each of the parallel data channels, satellite computers, I/O racks, sensors and actuators to locate inconsistencies in the data stream. The system then allows for operation with one of the redundant components while the identified defective redundant component is repaired or replaced.
Inventors
- 👤 Gioacchino A. Mutone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/1629; G06F11/1633; G05; G05B; G05B9/00; G05B9/02; G05B9/03; G06F11/165; G06F11/20; G06F11/2002; G06F11/2007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A computer system comprising: first and second main computers, each computer having a primary data interface and a secondary data interface each interface for sending and receiving system signals; a first data highway for conveying said system signals, connected to said primary interface of said first main computer and to said secondary interface of said second main computer; a second data highway for conveying said system signals, connected to said primary interface of said second main computer and to said secondary interface of said first main computer; first and second satellite computers for relaying said system signals, each connected to said first and second data highways; first and second I/O racks, each connected to said first and second satellite computers; a sensor pair for generating selected system signals, connected to each of said I/O racks, and an actuator pair for reacting to selected system signals connected to each of said I/O racks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A computer system comprising: first and second main computers, each computer having a primary data interface and a secondary data interface each interface for sending and receiving system signals; a first data highway for conveying said system signals, connected to said primary interface of said first main computer and to said secondary interface of said second main computer; a second data highway for conveying said system signals, connected to said primary interface of said second main computer and to said secondary interface of said first main computer; first and second satellite computers for relaying said system signals, each connected to said first and second data highways; first and second I/O racks, each connected to said first and second satellite computers; a sensor pair for generating selected system signals, connected to each of said I/O racks, and an actuator pair for reacting to selected system signals connected to each of said I/O racks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer system of claim 1, further comprising: means for comparing said system signals received by said first main computer with said system signals received by said second main computer, and for detecting discrepancies between said signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The computer system of Claim 1, said first main computer further comprising means for selectively monitoring either said primary interface or said secondary interface of said first main computer; said second main computer further comprising means for selectively monitoring either said primary interface or said secondary interface of said second main computer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The computer system of Claim 3, further comprising means for comparing said system signals received by said first main computer with said system signals received by said second main computer, and for detecting discrepancies between said signals; wherein said selection means are connected to said comparison means for reacting to a detected discrepancy, configuring said first and second main computers for simultaneous monitoring of a common data highway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer system of Claim 1, further comprising: means for selectively enabling said first satellite computer to relay said system signals to said first and second data highways while selectively disabling said second satellite computer from relaying said system signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer system of Claim 1, further comprising: means for selectively enabling said second satellite computer to relay said system signals to said first and second data highways while selectively disabling said first satellite computer from relaying said system signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The computer system of Claim 1, further comprising: means for establishing a signal path between said sensor pair and said first and second satellite computers via said first I/O rack, while blocking a signal path between said sensor pair and said first and second satellite computers via said second I/O rack.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The computer system of Claim 1, further comprising: means for establishing a signal path between said sensor pair and said first and second satellite computers via said second I/O rack, while blocking a signal path between said sensor pair and said first and second satellite computers via said first I/O rack.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
105 words
A method for diagnosis of a computer system according to Claim 2, comprising the steps of: detecting discrepancies between said system signals received by said first main computer and said system signals received by said second main computer; monitoring said primary data interface and said secondary data interface of said first main computer and comparing the system signals received thereon for consistency; utilizing said first satellite computer to relay said system signals between said first I/O rack and said first and second data highways; utilizing said first I/O rack to establish a data path between said sensor pair and said first and second satellite computers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
128 words
Claim 10. A method for monitoring and controlling sensors and actuators, comprising the steps of: providing first and second main computers; providing a first signal pathway divided into a plurality of discreet segments, between said main computers and said sensors and actuators; providing a second signal pathway redundant and parallel to said first signal pathway and having corresponding parallel segments; selectively monitoring and controlling said sensors and actuators with said first main computer through said first signal pathway; selectively monitoring and controlling said sensors and actuators with said second main computer through said second signal pathway; comparing said monitoring by said first computer with said monitoring by said second computer and generating a discrepancy signal in response to the detection a discrepancy between said monitorings during said comparison.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
Claim 11. A method according to Claim 10, wherein said step of selectively monitoring with said first computer includes the step of: selectively bypassing at least one of said segments of said first signal pathway, wherein said corresponding parallel segment of said second signal pathway is substituted therefor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
Claim 12. A method according to Claim 11, wherein said selective bypassing occurs in response to the generation of a discrepancy signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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