Design of automatic measurement stations with fault accommodation capabilities

A technique for the systematic design of fault-tolerant automatic measureme nt systems based on 'analytical redundancy' relationships is proposed. Star ting from the user requirements in terms of quantities to be monitored and of number and type of faults to be detected, isolated, and accommodated, th e proposed technique suggests the number and location of the sensors to be used in the measurement system to be designed or the modifications needed i n an existing measurement system for satisfying the user requirements. The peculiarities of this technique were highlighted by applying it to some rea l measurement stations. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.