Resolving Signal Integrity issues in design of fault tolerant processor based Remote Control Unit

Abstract

Abstract Remote Control Unit (RCU) is a Single Board Computer (SBC) for acquiring data from field sensors and controlling final control elements on the floor of the plant. Signal Integrity (SI) issue in designing fault tolerant processor based RCU is more challenging due to increase in the demand of high speed circuit. Other issues like power consumption, size, environmental effect and EMI/EMC are also equally changeling. Especially, the SI issues which pull down the performance of RCU are addressed and resolved in our design. SI error occurs mainly due to reduction in size and operating frequency. For successful operation of RCU in the field, SI issues are resolved to improve the reliability of the system. This paper discusses the SI issues and methods to resolve during design stage for better signal-to-noise margin in our present design of fault tolerant processor based Remote Control Unit for nuclear power plant.