Method and architecture for critical systems utilizing multi-centric orthogonal topology and pervasive rules-driven data and control encoding

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to novel and advantageous systems and methods of processing and managing data in critical or large-scale systems, such as airliner, automobile, space station, power plant, and healthcare systems. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a rules-driven data and control method mapped onto complementary physical architecture for a more reliable operational system. By maintaining an algebraic encoding of control and application data at fine granularities, whether static or in transit, it is possible to detect, isolate, and correct many errors that would otherwise go undetected. This more dynamic and precise method addresses cases where deteriorating conditions or cataclysmic events affect much of the system simultaneously, including the control system itself.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 two control centers communicably coupled over a network; and   at least one sub-network arranged orthogonal to the network, the sub-network communicably coupling each of the control centers to each of:
 a sensor receiving sensed data; and 
 a controller controlling one or more operations based on the sensed data; 
 wherein the sensor and controller are communicably coupled together over the at least one orthogonal sub-network; and 
   an archive storing as non-transitory computer readable media:
 a configuration table storing configuration data for each of the control centers, sensor, controller, and archive; and 
 a real-time time log of events storing actions performed by the control centers, sensor, controller, and archive. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the control centers is communicably coupled to each other control center by two channels. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the archive comprises an array of storage devices. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the archive is communicably coupled to the control centers over the network. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the archive is communicably coupled to the control centers over the sub-network. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is arranged within an airliner and is configured to operate the airliner. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is arranged within an automobile and is configured to operate the automobile. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the controller controls a motor of the automobile. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to provide access to healthcare data. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the sensor is a personal medical device. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein data transmitted within the system is encoded, and the system is configured to perform error correction or data recovery at each control center, sensor, controller, and archive. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the error correction corrects for single and double bit errors per byte of data. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein a same error correction code is applied for both error correction and data recovery. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the configuration table stores a preferred error correction code, format, and procedure for each component of the system, and wherein preferred error correction codes, formats, and procedures may be updated automatically based on recent errors or failures. 
     
     
         15 . A method of error detection, the method comprising:
 receiving data;   applying an error correction code to the data to obtain ECC data; and   verifying the data by comparing the data to the ECC data.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 dividing the data into first and second portions; and   dividing the ECC data into first and second portions.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the error correction code uses the generator polynomial G 1 (x)=1+x 3 +x 4 +x 5 +x 8 . 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the error correction code uses the generator polynomial G 2 (x)=1+x+x 2 +x 4 +x 6 +x 7 +x 8 . 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the error correction code uses an extended Nordstrom-Robinson code. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the error correction code uses a Hamming SECDED code.