{"id":1191,"date":"2019-11-29T13:32:17","date_gmt":"2019-11-29T13:32:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/?p=1191"},"modified":"2021-12-08T16:04:05","modified_gmt":"2021-12-08T16:04:05","slug":"what-is-a-redundant-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/what-is-a-redundant-system\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Redundant System and How Do Drones Use Them?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/redundant-system.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Drones are driven by an interplay of lots of technological and engineering breakthroughs. These make for affordable production and safe, efficient flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of these breakthroughs is that of redundant systems. Many top drones are using them but the truth is what many people are sat wondering &#8216;what <em>on earth <\/em>is a redundant system?!&#8217;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Don&#8217;t worry, we&#8217;re here to explain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Are Redundant Systems in Engineering<\/strong>?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Redundancy is an engineering concept that involves the duplication of critical components or functions within a system, with the aim of increasing reliability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Redundancy measures usually take the form of a backup or\nfail safe, or measures that seek to improve the actual system performance, like\nis common in GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers and\nmulti-threaded computer processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes a system is too critical to merely duplicate its supporting components. So engineers triple them in a process known as triplication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"aawp\">\n\n            \n            \n<div class=\"aawp-product aawp-product--horizontal\"  data-aawp-product-asin=\"B07ZJZMFFH\" data-aawp-product-id=\"4470\" data-aawp-tracking-id=\"dronesvilla20-20\" data-aawp-product-title=\"DJI Mavic Mini CP.MA.00000120.01\" data-aawp-geotargeting=\"true\">\n\n    \n    <div class=\"aawp-product__thumb\">\n        <a class=\"aawp-product__image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07ZJZMFFH?tag=dronesvilla20-20&amp;linkCode=ogi&amp;th=1&amp;psc=1\" title=\"DJI Mavic Mini Drone\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">\n            <img class=\"aawp-product__image\" src=\"https:\/\/m.media-amazon.com\/images\/I\/31iPTd2nOyL._SL160_.jpg\" alt=\"DJI Mavic Mini Drone\"  \/>\n        <\/a>\n\n            <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"aawp-product__content\">\n        <a class=\"aawp-product__title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07ZJZMFFH?tag=dronesvilla20-20&amp;linkCode=ogi&amp;th=1&amp;psc=1\" title=\"DJI Mavic Mini Drone\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\" target=\"_blank\">\n            DJI Mavic Mini Drone        <\/a>\n        <div class=\"aawp-product__description\">\n            <ul><li>12MP \/ 2. 7K Quad HD 3-Axis Gimbal Camera<\/li><li>Up to 30 Minutes of Flight Time<\/li><li>Stream HD Video from up to 2. 5 Miles<\/li><\/ul>        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"aawp-product__footer\">\n\n        <div class=\"aawp-product__pricing\">\n            \n                            <span class=\"aawp-product__price aawp-product__price--current\">&#36;301.39<\/span>\n            \n                    <\/div>\n\n                <a class=\"aawp-button aawp-button--buy aawp-button aawp-button--amazon rounded\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B07ZJZMFFH?tag=dronesvilla20-20&#038;linkCode=ogi&#038;th=1&#038;psc=1\" title=\"Buy on Amazon\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener sponsored\">Buy on Amazon<\/a>\n            <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n    \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Many safety-critical systems, such as fly-by-wire and aircraft hydraulic systems, as well as some parts of aircraft control systems, are triplicated in a process called triple modular redundancy (TMR). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lives depend on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In redundant systems, an error in one component may be kept supported by the backup. In triply redundant systems, the system is made of three sub components and all three must fail before the system fails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each sub-component is made to the utmost quality to reduce the likelihood that it will ever fail. More to that, each sub-component is expected to fail independently. Hence, the probability of all three failing is calculated to be extremely small, and is often outweighed by other risk factors like human error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Redundancy is also sometimes known as \u201cmajority voting system\u201d or \u201cvoting logic\u201d and sometimes it could lead to a more complex system than otherwise expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the problems that arise with redundant systems could be as simple and avoidable as neglect of human duty due to complacency and over stressing of the operating mechanisms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Functions of\nRedundancy in a System<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To understand the function of redundancy, you have to become acquainted with the two variants of redundancy which are <strong>passive redundancy<\/strong> and <strong>active redundancy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both of these prevent performance decline from exceeding\nspecification limits without the need for human intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Passive redundancy uses excess capacity to reduce the resulting\nimpact of a component failing. One of the best examples of passive redundancy\nin action is the extra strength of cabling and struts used in bridges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This extra strength makes it possible for a bridge to keep standing even after some structural components have fallen away. We call the extra strength hidden in the design the <em>margin of safety<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other good examples of passive redundancy are provided by\nyour eyes and ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vision loss in one eye does not cause blindness, although\nyour perception of depth is impaired. Likewise, the loss of hearing in one ear\ndoes not cause total deafness, even though you may lose your sense of\ndirectionality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To cut things short, you can expect passive redundancy to\nresult in performance decline when a limited number of failures occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Active redundancy, on the other hand, eliminates a decline\nin performance by monitoring the performance of individual devices. And this\nmonitoring takes the form of voting logic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The voting logic consists of electronic switching that\nautomatically reconfigures the components. A good example of active redundancy\nis error detection and the Global Positioning System (GPS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another example of active redundancy is provided by\nelectrical power distribution systems. You have several power lines connecting\neach generating facility to customers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each power line includes monitors that detect any overload\nand also circuit breakers. The combination of power lines makes for excess\nenergy capacity. But the circuit breakers will disconnect any power line on\nwhich an overload is detected. After this happens, power is redistributed\nacross the remaining lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Voting Logic<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Active redundancy systems work by way of voting logic. And\nthis is a system that are systems that monitor performance in order to\ndetermine how to reconfigure individual components so that operation continues\nwithout violating limits specified within the overall system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s more common to see these used in computers, but they\ncan also be set up in systems that are not made of computers specifically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Electrical systems, for example, use active redundancy to\nadjust the output of each generating facility when other facilities are\nsuddenly lost. And that\u2019s how blackouts are prevented during major events like\nearthquakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In computer systems, a simple form of voting logic is often used that involves two components: a primary and an alternate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These run on similar software, but the alternate does\nnothing during normal smooth running operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The primary monitors itself and periodically sends an activity message to the alternate \u2014 almost like a notification that all is well and good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Things change when the primary detects a fault, however. At\nthat point, all output from the primary stops, including the activity message\nthat is due for the alternate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The alternate is then activated to start working once this happens, and it takes over from the primary when the activity messages cease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An alternate form of voting logic, and a more reliable one, involves an odd number of devices \u2014 usually three or more. All perform identical functions and the outputs are compared by voting logic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The voting logic establishes a majority when there is a disagreement in output, and the majority devices will deactivate the output from the other devices that disagree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this way, a single fault does not interrupt normal\noperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the technique used for avionics systems such those of\na space shuttle or drone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is the\nImportance of Redundant Systems?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can imagine, redundancy in a system is crucial for\nthe smooth running of the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In certain devices, like bridges, power lines, and aircraft\nit could go a long way towards ensuring safety of lives and equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is no surprise therefore that drone manufacturers go all\nout in incorporating redundancy systems in their devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the key reasons for this is safety, but there are\nalso many other reasons why drones are created with many components that do the\nsame job, despite the resulting extra weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Do Drones Use Redundant Systems<\/strong>?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Drone systems usually incorporate fail proof mechanisms using automations like \u201cGo Home\u201d or emergency landing, which kick in when there is a system failure or a lack of battery life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But what happens when there is a system failure that affects\nthese fail proof systems?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s scenarios like this which warrant the need for redundant systems like autopilot that are able to lower the possibility of outright system failure to a minimum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drone manufacturers incorporate multiple sensors that do the same job in their systems in order to prevent drones from immediately falling when, say, a motor fails to rotate a propeller in mid-flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And yes, this does cause the drone to be heavier than it\nwould otherwise be without redundancy. But redundant stabilization systems\nimprove drone performance and can boost sensor accuracy many fold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To best illustrate this, we need to take a look at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/how-drones-work\/\">how drones work<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The flight controlling component of a drone is what receives signals from you, the pilot (or the autopilot), who makes use of GPS to take charge of the flight path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drones also have inertia measurements units (IMU) that help\nin judging their posture during flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a safe flight, the flight controlling component needs to\nknow so many things in order to coordinate proceedings; stuff like destination,\naltitude, GPS coordinates and IMU signals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All the sensors that provide these details simply cannot lag\nin accuracy or everything would come apart in midair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Manufacturers, thus, ensure unfailing accuracy by building\nredundancy into their products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, the mainline Phantom 4 has a double compass\nsystem that detects information from IMUs and the drone\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Phantom 4 is also equipped to receive information from\nup to 24 satellites aligned with either GPS or Russia\u2019s Global Navigation\nSatellite System (GNSS). This means the system holds no matter which part of\nthe globe you fly your drone in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The very portable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/dji-mavic-pro-review\/\">Mavic Pro<\/a> (and even the Phantom 4) is equipped with two camera sensors to detect conditions on the ground, as well as two ultrasonic height-measuring sensors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Along the same vein, the large industrial-use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/dji-matrice-600-review\/\">Matrice 600<\/a> rotates itself to avoid falling \u2014 even if three of its six propellers drop off. It also mounts up to six batteries to ensure continuous power supply come what may.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Research is also presently being done to produce drones that\nare designed to continue operating even when one of its propellers fails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Such a system would require a voting logic mechanism that\nmonitors the propellers and recognizes when one propeller stops working, so\nthat it can immediately adjust the remaining rotors as appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Researchers involved also intend to create a system that is\ncapable of detecting signs of impending malfunction so that adjustments can be\nmade before anything stops working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other flight researchers like those at the Autonomous\nControl Systems Laboratory in Chiba, Japan are working on drones that come with\nparachutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once a sensor recognizes a drone\u2019s tilt and falling speed, it would be able to automatically open the parachute in a tenth of a second \u2014 almost like an airbag for drones. The parachute would also be deployed when the drone\u2019s batteries fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The parachute would be able to guarantee a slow enough\ndescent to ensure a safe landing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These are just some of the ways in which redundancy is\nmaking the difference in your drone and guaranteeing you a safe and seamless\nflight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And while it does make for heavier, more power-consuming\ndrones, few pilots would complain when they get to realize how these systems\noperate to safeguard their hardware.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Drones are driven by an interplay of lots of technological and engineering breakthroughs. These make &#8230; <a title=\"What Is a Redundant System and How Do Drones Use Them?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/what-is-a-redundant-system\/\" aria-label=\"More on What Is a Redundant System and How Do Drones Use Them?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1345,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/redundant-system.jpg",825,457,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/redundant-system-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/redundant-system-300x166.jpg",300,166,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/redundant-system-768x425.jpg",768,425,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/redundant-system.jpg",825,457,false],"img_rate_products_categories":["https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/redundant-system-552x306.jpg",552,306,true],"img_rate_products_slideshow":["https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/redundant-system.jpg",825,457,false],"img_rate_products_preview":["https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/redundant-system-168x93.jpg",168,93,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/redundant-system.jpg",825,457,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/redundant-system.jpg",825,457,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Sam","author_link":"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/author\/sam\/"},"uagb_comment_info":1,"uagb_excerpt":"Drones are driven by an interplay of lots of technological and engineering breakthroughs. These make ... Read more","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1191"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1191"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1191\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3103,"href":"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1191\/revisions\/3103"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1345"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1191"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1191"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.dronesvilla.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1191"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}