METHODS AND DEVICES FOR CONFIGURATION VALIDATION OF A COMPLEX MULTI-ELEMENT SYSTEM

• US 20110219267A1
• Filed: 03/02/2011
• Published: 09/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS NV)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS NV)
• Inventors: MIGLIASSO, Raphael, Estrada-Fernandez, Miguel, Bastien, Olivier
• Granted Patent: US 8,683,266 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/37
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/008 Reliability or availability analysis

Abstract

The object of the invention is in particular the validation of configuration of a system comprising a plurality of elements, at least one reference being associated with each element of the said plurality of elements. After at least one reference key has been calculated (410) according to at least one expected reference of each element of the said plurality of elements, a theoretical configuration report of the said system, comprising the said at least one reference key, is generated (420). Similarly, at least one verification key is calculated (455) according to at least one reference of each element of the said plurality of elements, and a real configuration report of the said system, comprising the said at least one verification key, is generated (460). A configuration error is detected if the values of the said verification key and reference key of the said real and theoretical configuration reports are different.

Claims

1. A computer method for generating a real configuration report of a system permitting rapid verification of the configuration of the said system, the said system comprising a plurality of elements, at least one reference being associated with each element of the said plurality of elements, this method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps,

calculating (455) at least one verification key (155) according to at least one reference of each element of the said plurality of elements;

and,

generating (460) a real configuration report of the said system comprising the said at least one verification key,

a configuration error of the said system being detected if the value of the said verification key is different from the value of a reference key.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, according to which at least one of the said steps for calculating the said keys employs a calculation of cyclic redundancy check type, checksum type, error correction code type or cryptographic hash function type.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, according to which the said steps of calculating the said keys are defined according to predetermined rules.

10. A computer program comprising instructions adapted to the employment of each of the steps of the method according to any one of the preceding claims when the said program is executed on a computer.

11. A device comprising means adapted to the employment of each of the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. An aircraft comprising means adapted to the employment of each of the steps of the method according to claim 1, claim 3 or any one of claims 8 and 9 dependent on claim 1 or claim 3.

2. A computer method for rapid verification of the configuration of a system comprising a plurality of elements, at least one reference being associated with each element of the said plurality of elements, this method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps,

calculating (410) at least one reference key according to at least one expected reference of each element of the said plurality of elements;

generating (420) a theoretical configuration report of the said system comprising the said at least one reference key; and

,

obtaining a real configuration report in conformity with the method described in the foregoing,

a configuration error being detected if the values of the said verification key and reference key of the said real and theoretical configuration reports are different.

5. A method according to claim 2 or claim 4, additionally comprising a step of determining (400) a theoretical configuration, the said theoretical configuration comprising at least one expected reference for each of the elements that must be present in the said system.

6. A method according to the preceding claim, additionally comprising a step of modifying (435) the said theoretical configuration according to an indication to update at least one element of the said plurality of elements.

7. A method according to the preceding claim, additionally comprising a step of generating a work order comprising at least the said theoretical configuration report.

3. A computer method for generating a real configuration report of a system permitting rapid identification of an erroneous reference of an element of the said system, the said system comprising a plurality of elements organized hierarchically by groups, at least one first group comprising at least one second and one third groups distinct from the said at least one first group, at least one reference being associated with each element of the said plurality of elements, this method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps,

calculating (455) at least one first verification key (145) associated with the said at least one second group according to at least one reference of each of the elements of the said system belonging to the said at least one second group;

calculating (455) at least one second verification key (145) associated with the said at least one third group according to at least one reference of each of the elements of the said system belonging to the said at least one third group;

calculating (455) a third verification key (155) associated with the said at least one first group according to at least the values of the said at least one first and at least one second verification keys; and

,

generating (460) a real configuration report of the said system comprising the said at least one first, at least one second and one third verification keys,

a configuration error being detected if the value of the said third verification key is different from the value of a third reference key, the location of the said configuration error being localizable by means of the said at least one first and at least one second keys and at least one first and at least one second reference keys.

4. A computer method for rapid identification of an erroneous reference of an element of a system comprising a plurality of elements organized hierarchically by groups, at least one first group comprising at least one second and at least one third groups distinct from the said at least one first group, at least one reference being associated with each element of the said plurality of elements, this method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps,

calculating (410) at least one first reference key associated with the said at least one second group according to at least one expected reference of each of the elements of the said at least one second group, at least one second reference key associated with the said at least one third group according to at least one expected reference of each of the elements of the said at least one third group, and a third reference key associated with the said at least one first group according to at least the values of the said at least one first and at least one second reference keys;

generating (420) a theoretical configuration report of the said system comprising the said at least one first, at least one second and third reference keys; and

obtaining a real configuration report in conformity with the method described in the foregoing,

a configuration error being detected if the values of the said third verification key and third reference key of the said real and theoretical configuration reports are different, the location of the said configuration error being localizable by means of the said at least one first and at least one second keys.