초록 ▼

A plurality of redundant channels in a system each contain a global image of all the configuration data bases in each of the channels in the system. Each global image is updated periodically from each of the other channels via cross channel data links. The global images of the local configuration da

A plurality of redundant channels in a system each contain a global image of all the configuration data bases in each of the channels in the system. Each global image is updated periodically from each of the other channels via cross channel data links. The global images of the local configuration data bases in each channel are separately symmetrized using a voting process to generate a system signal configuration data base which is not written into by any other routine and is available for indicating the status of the system within each channel. Equalization may be imposed on a suspect signal and a number of “chances”for that signal to “heal”itself are provided before excluding it from future votes. Reconfiguration is accomplished upon detecting a channel which is deemed invalid. A reset function is provided which permits an externally generated reset signal to permit a previously excluded channel to be reincluded within the system. The updating of global images and/or the symmetrization process may be accomplished at substantially the same time within a synchronized time frame common to all channels.

대표청구항 ▼

Symmetrization apparatus, comprising: means for storing, in each channel of a plural channel system, an associated local channel configuration data base (CCDB) indicative both of present fault and redundancy status of signals and channels in said system; means for updating each local CCDB at random

Symmetrization apparatus, comprising: means for storing, in each channel of a plural channel system, an associated local channel configuration data base (CCDB) indicative both of present fault and redundancy status of signals and channels in said system; means for updating each local CCDB at random with configuration data from its associated channel; means for storing, in each channel, a plurality of foreign CCDBs, each corresponding to associated local CCDBs in each of the other channels, said means for storing a plurality of foreign CCDBs including means for storing, in each channel, a duplicate of its associated local CCDB; means for periodically updating each of said plurality of foreign CCDBs, including said duplicate of said associated local CCDB, in each channel, from configuration data obtained from corresponding local CCDBs in said other channels, said means for periodically updating said plurality of foreign CCDBs including said duplicate of said associated local CCDB in each channel being made from its associated local CCDB; means for periodically voting, in each channel, said configuration data presently existing in each foreign CCDB and duplicate local CCDB; means for deeming valid only those signals in which said periodically voted foreign and local CCDB signal data are identical and which were and are both previously and presently voted valid; means for deeming valid only those channels both previously and presently voted valid; and means for providing, in each channel, a system configuration data base (SCDB) indicative of said identity of foreign CCDBs and said duplicate local CCDB both previously and presently valid, which SCDB is identical, at substantially all times, to each SCDB in each other channel presently deemed valid.