US4771427A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Equalization in redundant channels
Assignee: RTX Corp
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Filing: 1986-10-02
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Granted: 1988-09-13
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Expires: 2006-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A miscomparison between a channel's configuration data base and a voted system configuration data base in a redundant channel system having identically operating, frame synchronous channels triggers autoequalization of the channel's historical signal data bases in a hierarchical, chronological manner with that of a correctly operating channel. After equalization, symmetrization of the channel's configuration data base with that of the system permits upgrading of the previously degraded channel to full redundancy. An externally provided equalization command, e.g., manually actuated, can also trigger equalization.
Inventors
- 👤 Bhalchandra R. Tulpule
- 👤 Robert E. Collins
- 👤 Donald F. Cominelli
- 👤 Richard D. O'Neill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/1658; G06F11/18; G06F11/183; G06F11/184; G06F11/182
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for use in a redundant channel system having identically operating, synchronous channels, said method for attempting restoration to identical operation of a suspect channel presently providing nonidentical output signal data, comprising the steps of: comparing configuration signal data bases in each channel to a voted configuration data base and identifying a channel in which a miscompare exists as suspect by providing a miscompare signal for that channel; and equalizing the suspect channel's historical signal data to that of a correctly operating channel in response to said miscompare signal, wherein said step of equalizing is effected by executing a series of equalizing substeps in a hierarchical, chronological manner, such that said equalizing of any particular signal magnitude in the suspect channel for a present comparison or computation step occurs at or after its generation in a correctly operating channel and before said comparison or computation step in said suspect channel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for use in a redundant channel system having identically operating, synchronous channels, said method for attempting restoration to identical operation of a suspect channel presently providing nonidentical output signal data, comprising the steps of: comparing configuration signal data bases in each channel to a voted configuration data base and identifying a channel in which a miscompare exists as suspect by providing a miscompare signal for that channel; and equalizing the suspect channel's historical signal data to that of a correctly operating channel in response to said miscompare signal, wherein said step of equalizing is effected by executing a series of equalizing substeps in a hierarchical, chronological manner, such that said equalizing of any particular signal magnitude in the suspect channel for a present comparison or computation step occurs at or after its generation in a correctly operating channel and before said comparison or computation step in said suspect channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of symmetrizing the suspect channel's configuration signal data base after equalizing its historical signal data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: providing an externally generated equalization command signal; and equalizing the suspect channel's historical signal data to that of a correctly operating channel in response to said command signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
208 words
Apparatus for use in a redundant channel system having identically operating, synchronous channels, the system having cross-channel data link means, responsive to configuration signal data bases resident in each channel, responsive to input signal data provided to all channels in the system and responsive to output signal data generated in all channels in the system for communicating all of said signal data between channels, said method for attempting restoration to identical operation of a suspect channel presently providing nonidentical output signal data, comprising: means for comparing configuration signal data bases in each channel to a voted configuration data base and identifying a channel in which a miscompare exists as suspect by providing a miscompare signal for that channel; and means responsive to said miscompare signal and to the signal data communicated between channels for equalizing the suspect channel's historical signal data to that of a correctly operating channel, wherein said equalizing means effects equalization by executing a series of equalizing substeps in a hierarchical, chronological manner, such that said equalization of any particular signal magnitude in the suspect channel for a present comparison or computation step occurs at or after its generation in a correctly operating channel and before said comparison or computation step in said suspect channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
208 words
Apparatus for use in a redundant channel system having identically operating, synchronous channels, the system having cross-channel data link means, responsive to configuration signal data bases resident in each channel, responsive to input signal data provided to all channels in the system and responsive to output signal data generated in all channels in the system for communicating all of said signal data between channels, said method for attempting restoration to identical operation of a suspect channel presently providing nonidentical output signal data, comprising: means for comparing configuration signal data bases in each channel to a voted configuration data base and identifying a channel in which a miscompare exists as suspect by providing a miscompare signal for that channel; and means responsive to said miscompare signal and to the signal data communicated between channels for equalizing the suspect channel's historical signal data to that of a correctly operating channel, wherein said equalizing means effects equalization by executing a series of equalizing substeps in a hierarchical, chronological manner, such that said equalization of any particular signal magnitude in the suspect channel for a present comparison or computation step occurs at or after its generation in a correctly operating channel and before said comparison or computation step in said suspect channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising means for symmetrizing the suspect channel's configuration signal data base after equalizing its historical signal data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said means responsive to said signal data communicated between channels is also responsive to an externally generated equalization command signal for equalizing the suspect channel's signal data to that of a properly functioning channel.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for use in a redundant channel system having identically operating, frame synchronous channels, said method for attempting restoration to identical operation of a suspect channel presently providing nonidentical output signal data, comprising the steps of: comparing configuration signal data bases in each channel to a voted configuration data base and identifying a channel in which a miscompare exists as suspect by providing a miscompare signal for that channel; and equalizing the suspect channel's historical signal data to that of a correctly operating channel in response to said miscompare signal, wherein said step of equalizing is effected by executing a series of equalizing steps within a corresponding series of frames, each equalizing step for a corresponding frame being made up of a series of equalizing substeps corresponding to a series of normal computational substeps in that frame, said equalizing substeps being executed in a hierarchical, chronological manner corresponding to the execution of said normal computational substeps in said frame, such that said equalizing of any particular signal magnitude in the suspect channel for a present frame comparison or computation step occurs at or after its generation in a previous frame in a correctly operating channel and before said comparison or computation step in said suspect channel.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
207 words
A method for use in a redundant channel system having identically operating, frame synchronous channels, said method for attempting restoration to identical operation of a suspect channel presently providing nonidentical output signal data, comprising the steps of: comparing configuration signal data bases in each channel to a voted configuration data base and identifying a channel in which a miscompare exists as suspect by providing a miscompare signal for that channel; and equalizing the suspect channel's historical signal data to that of a correctly operating channel in response to said miscompare signal, wherein said step of equalizing is effected by executing a series of equalizing steps within a corresponding series of frames, each equalizing step for a corresponding frame being made up of a series of equalizing substeps corresponding to a series of normal computational substeps in that frame, said equalizing substeps being executed in a hierarchical, chronological manner corresponding to the execution of said normal computational substeps in said frame, such that said equalizing of any particular signal magnitude in the suspect channel for a present frame comparison or computation step occurs at or after its generation in a previous frame in a correctly operating channel and before said comparison or computation step in said suspect channel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-13 | 1992-03-14 | 1992-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-13 | 1996-03-14 | 1996-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-13 | 2000-03-14 | 2000-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |