Temporal Consistency of Data and Information in Cyber-Physical Systems

TL;DR

This paper addresses the issue of temporal inconsistencies in cyber-physical systems caused by delays, proposing a solution suitable for time-triggered architectures to ensure synchronized operations.

Contribution

It introduces a method to achieve temporal consistency in cyber-physical systems by leveraging time-triggered architecture mechanisms.

Findings

Proposes a solution for temporal inconsistency problems.

Applicable to time-triggered architectures.

Enhances system reliability and safety.

Abstract

In a large cyber-physical system, a temporal inconsistency of an output value can arise if there is a non-negligible delay between the instant when a sensor value is acquired from the environment and the instant when a setpoint, based on this sensor value, is used in the environment. Such a temporal inconsistency can be the cause of a critical malfunction of the cyber-physical system. This paper presents a solution of this temporal consistency problem that can best be implemented in a time-triggered architecture (TTA). In a TTA, the instants of sensor value acquisition, setpoint calculation, and actuation on the environment are statically configured, and the cyber-physical system implements software and hardware mechanisms to execute the respective actions tightly at these configured instants.