Title :
Why do we need a Sparse Global Time-Base in Dependable Real-time Systems?
Author_Institution :
Vienna Univ. of Technol. Vienna, Vienna
Abstract :
In many hi-dependability applications (such as a fly-by-wire system) triple-modular redundancy (TMR) is deployed to mask arbitrary failures of any of its constituent components. A TMR system will only work properly if the three replicated channels are synchronized, operate independently and exhibit a deterministic behavior. Determinism requires that two inputs that are presented to the three independent channel at the same instant must be ordered in the same way by all three channels, i.e., simultaneity must be resolved consistently at the system level. In order to resolve this issue of system-wide consistent temporal ordering of events, a global time base of known precision-as established by the IEEE 1588 standard-is of utmost utility. Given such a global time-base of known precision, one can establish a global sparse time model that supports the consistent ordering of events.
Keywords :
precision engineering; real-time systems; synchronisation; IEEE 1588 standard; computing systems; dependable real-time systems; fly-by-wire system; mask arbitrary failures; precision; replicated channels; sparse global time-base; system-wide consistent temporal ordering; triple-modular redundancy; Clocks; Communication system control; Computer errors; Embedded computing; Hardware; Intelligent sensors; Real time systems; Redundancy; Space technology; Synchronization; accuracy; fault-tolerance; global time; precision; sparse time; triple modular redundancy;
Conference_Titel :
Precision Clock Synchronization for Measurement, Control and Communication, 2007. ISPCS 2007. IEEE International Symposium on
Conference_Location :
Vienna
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-1064-4
Electronic_ISBN :
978-1-4244-1064-4
DOI :
10.1109/ISPCS.2007.4383767