Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery – Data processing system error or fault handling – Reliability and availability
Reexamination Certificate
1996-03-04
2001-10-23
Le, Dieu-Minh (Department: 2184)
Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery
Data processing system error or fault handling
Reliability and availability
C714S010000, C714S047300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308286
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems utilizing redundancy switchover control. More particularly, the present invention relates to redundant-type systems, such as a redundant-modem system, including similar independent components at least one of which monitors the others and serves as a spare component.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In systems that require a high degree of reliability, such as redundant stand-alone satellite modem systems or redundant telephone switches, redundant components are often added to serve as a backup or spare component. Redundant stand-alone satellite modem systems typically include spare modems provided to replace a modem when it fails so as to not interrupt communications.
Generally, when a system includes a spare component, separate switches, as well as redundancy switchover control equipment, must be connected to the system. Typically, a redundancy switchover controller monitors the status of an operating component and controls switches connected to the inputs and outputs of the operating component and the spare component such that the spare component may effectively replace the operating component when a failure occurs.
To accomplish its tasks, the redundancy switchover controller and the associated switches require a multitude of connectors. From a practical standpoint, the more connectors the system requires, the more expensive the system becomes and the harder the process of connection becomes. Numerous connectors become particularly burdensome when one must replace a component, and especially burdensome should the redundancy switchover controller require replacement. Moreover, more connectors translate into more sources of possible failures.
In an effort to reduce the number of connections, some redundancy switchover controllers are housed within the same housing module as the spare component. This way, the manufacturer may make some of the required connections internally within this housing. Such an arrangement is disadvantageous in that the cost of replacing a failed spare component is higher due to the fact that it shares a housing with the redundancy switchover controller. Moreover, when the spare component requires replacement, one may have to disconnect the redundancy switchover controller from both the spare component and the other operating components. Thus, this arrangement presents a major inconvenience should the spare component fail.
Conventional redundancy switchover controllers typically include their own processors and power sources. Not only do such processors and power sources significantly add to the cost of the system, they also constitute sources of possible failure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and has an advantage of having significantly increased reliablity while having significantly reduced cost.
Another feature of the present invention is that a spare component may be used to perform the redundancy switchover control functions.
A further advantage of the present invention is that redundancy switchover may be provided without requiring a separate redundancy switchover controller.
An additional feature of the present invention is that one component may be interchanged with any of the other components including the spare components.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
The present invention may be characterized in one embodiment as a system that includes a plurality of components, at least one of the components serving as a spare component; a plurality of switches connected to the components wherein each switch switches between a first state and a second state in response to a control signal, in the first state connecting a corresponding input or an output to one of the components and disconnecting the spare component from the corresponding input or output, and in the second state disconnecting the corresponding input or output from the component and connecting the spare component to the corresponding input or output; and a controller connected to the switches for monitoring status information received from the components, for detecting when one of the components has failed, and for generating the control signal to replace the failed component with the spare component. To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the system of this invention comprises a plurality of similar components capable of operating independently of each other, wherein at least one of the components serves as a spare component, and a plurality of switches connected to the inputs and outputs of the components such that the inputs and outputs of each of the components may be rerouted through the spare component, wherein the spare component comprises means for monitoring the status information received from the other components and detecting when one of the other components has failed, and means for controlling the switches such that the spare component replaces a failed one of the other components.
To achieve the above and other advantages in a redundant-modem system in accordance with the present invention, the redundant-modem system of this invention comprises a plurality of identical modems capable of operating independently of each other, wherein at least one of the modems serves as a spare modem, and a plurality of switches connected to the inputs and outputs of the modems such that the input and output signals of each of the modems may be rerouted through the spare modem, wherein each of the modems comprises means for determining when the modem is to serve as a spare modem, means for monitoring status information received from the other modems when the modem is to serve as a spare modem, and for detecting when one of the other modems has failed, and means for controlling the switches when the modem is to serve as a spare modem such that the modem replaces a failed one of the other modems.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
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Richmond Robert L.
Wyar Paul F.
Hughes Electronics Corporation
Le Dieu-Minh
Sales Michael W.
Whelan John T.
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