Hierarchical approach for health aware electronic modules
A system and method for collecting and analyzing information from environmental occurrences that may have an adverse effect on electrical components in the vehicle. The information is passed up through a hierarchical structure to a higher level controller where the information can be used to detect the health of various electrical components and sub-systems on the vehicles. The vehicle may employ sensors that are specifically provided to detect environmental disturbances or abnormal conditions on the vehicle, or may use electrical devices on the vehicle used for other purposes that have the capability of detecting such disturbances and conditions.
1. A method for monitoring the health of electrical components on a vehicle, said method comprising:
detecting an environmental stress occurrence on an electronic component on the vehicle;
generating a stress signal by the component identifying the environmental stress occurrence;
passing the stress signal from the electronic component to another electronic component on the vehicle in a hierarchical manner where the another electronic component receives stress signals from a plurality of electronic components; and
passing the environmental stress signal from the another electronic component to a central maintenance computer that monitors the health of many electronic components in a hierarchical manner.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein detecting an environmental stress occurrence includes detecting an environmental stress occurrence by a sensor or detector on the vehicle that is specifically provided to detect for such occurrences.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein detecting an environmental stress occurrence includes detecting an environmental stress occurrence by a sensor or detector that is used for a different vehicle application, but also has the capability of detecting environmental stresses.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein detecting an environmental stress occurrence includes detecting excessive temperatures.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein detecting an environmental stress occurrence includes detecting voltage spikes.
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein detecting an environmental stress occurrence includes detecting an impact.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein detecting an environment stress occurrence includes detecting a vibration.
8. The method according to claim 1 wherein detecting an environment stress occurrence includes detecting an excessive pressure.
9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the environment stress occurrence does not cause the electronic component to fail.
10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the stress signal is a health bit.
11. A method for monitoring the health of electrical components on a vehicle, said method comprising:
detecting an environmental stress occurrence by a sensor or detector on the vehicle that is specifically provided to detect for such occurrences;
generating a stress signal by the sensor or detector identifying the environmental stress occurrence; and
passing the stress signal from the electronic component to another electronic component on the vehicle in a hierarchical manner where the another electronic component receives stress signals from a plurality of electronic components.
12. The method according to claim 11 further comprising passing the environmental stress signal from the another electronic component to a central maintenance computer that monitors the health of many electronic components in a hierarchical manner.
13. The method according to claim 11 wherein detecting an environmental stress occurrence includes detecting one or more of excessive temperature, voltage spikes, impacts, vibrations and excessive pressure.
14. The method according to claim 11 wherein the environment stress occurrence does not cause the electronic component to fail.
15. A system for monitoring the health of electrical components on a vehicle, said system comprising:
means for detecting an environmental stress occurrence on an electronic component on the vehicle;
means for generating a stress signal by the component identifying the environmental stress occurrence;
means for passing the stress signal from the electronic component to another electronic component on the vehicle in a hierarchical manner where the another electronic component receives stress signals from a plurality of electronic components; and
means for passing the environmental stress signal from the another electronic component to a central maintenance computer that monitors the health of many electronic components in a hierarchical manner.
16. The system according to claim 15 wherein the means for detecting an environmental stress occurrence includes a sensor or detector on the vehicle that is specifically provided to detect for such occurrences.
17. The system according to claim 15 wherein the means for detecting an environmental stress occurrence includes a sensor or detector that is used for a different vehicle application, but also has the capability of detecting environmental stresses.
18. The system according to claim 15 wherein the means for detecting an environmental stress occurrence detects one or more of excessive temperature, voltage spikes, impacts, vibrations and excessive pressure.
19. The system according to claim 15 wherein the environment stress occurrence does not cause the electronic component to fail.
20. The system according to claim 15 wherein the stress signal is a health bit.