Virtual lock stepping in a vital processing environment for safety assurance
US8069367B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 5, 2009 |
| Grant date | Nov 29, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 12, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/0757
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for train control utilizing virtual lock stepping are disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, an improved method of train control utilizes identical software applications executing on redundant processors. The redundant processors are maintained in virtual lock step to ensure the safety integrity of the overall system being controlled. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, one software process is a master and one software process is a slave. The master and the slave both independently execute application logic based upon detected events (e.g., input data, etc.). In order to ensure that any anomalies that might result in a hazard are detected in the timeliest manner, and that false anomalies are minimized, the redundant software processes must process the same event within a specified time frame.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.