Intelligent voting strategies for dependable real-time control systems

R. CROLL, Peter; M. BASS, Julian; J. FLEMING, Peter

Abstract

An intelligent and dependable voting mechanism for use in real-time control applications is presented. Strategies proposed by current safety standards advocate N-version software to minimise the effects from undetected software design faults (bugs). This requires diversity in design but presents a problem that truly diverse code produces diverse results, that is, differences in output values, timeliness and reliability. To reach a consensus requires an intelligent voter, especially when non stop operation is demanded, e.g. aerospace applications. This paper, therefore, firstly considers the applicable safety standards and the requirements for an intelligent voter service. The use of replicated voters to improve reliability is examined and a mechanism to ensure non stop operation is presented. The formal mathematical analysis used to verify the crucial behavioural properties of the voting service design is detailed. Finally the creation of N-version redundant voters are considered using Neural nets and Genetic Algorithms.

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (published)
• Conference Name: IFAC Workshop
• Start Date: Dec 12, 1994
• End Date: Dec 14, 1994
• Publication Date: 1995
• Deposit Date: Dec 18, 2023
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Pages: 37-42
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-08-042374-6.50011-0