What does fault tolerance refer to in control systems?

Fault tolerance in control systems refers specifically to the capacity of a system to continue functioning correctly even when one or more of its components fail. This characteristic is critical in industries where system reliability is essential, as it ensures that operations can proceed without interruption or significant degradation of performance, even in the face of unexpected failures.

For instance, in a process control environment, if a sensor or actuator fails, a fault-tolerant system can utilize redundant components or alternative pathways to maintain its operational integrity. This can involve using backup sensors, switching control strategies, or employing algorithms that help to isolate the failure and continue normal operation.

Other options present different concepts that are not synonymous with fault tolerance. Recovery from data loss pertains to data integrity and backup systems, predicting system failures relates to maintenance strategies rather than immediate operation during a fault, and reducing operational costs is focused on economic efficiency rather than reliability and functional continuity during component failures. Understanding fault tolerance is vital for those involved in designing and managing control systems, ensuring they build resilience against failures.