Implementation and testing of a microcomputer-based fault detection system

a signal validation method, capable of fault detection & isolation and measurement estimation, was implemented on a low cost, 8-bit microcomputer system, admitting up to eight measurements of a given process variable to generate a validated and reliable estimate of the variable under measurement, an indication of the failed sensors and their mode of failure. The system was tested on-line at the MIT research reactor and it was found that the system detects and isolates failures properly, and displays a reliable estimate. This demonstrates that it is possible to assign the signal validation task to a low cost, easy to build, dedicated microcomputer system.