Hierarchical design and analysis of fault-tolerant multiprocessor systems using concurrent error detection

A composition technique for building large fault-tolerant systems hierarchically using the concept of checks at different levels in the hierarchy is described. A small system of known fault detectability and locatability is replicated several times, and new checks are added at the next higher level. Such checks at different levels can be introduced into most of the existing multiprocessor systems. An analysis technique based on a matrix model is developed. Relationships between the fault detectability and locatability of a basic system are derived, and the corresponding values of the complete system are computed hierarchically. Finally, the techniques are extended to complex systems in which individual processors produce multiple sets of data elements.<>