Concurrent error detection using watchdog processors - A survey
This is a survey of concurrent system-level error detection techniques using a watchdog processor. A watchdog processor is a small and simple coprocessor that detects errors by monitoring the behavior of a system. Like replication it does not depend on any fault model for error detection. However, it requires less hardware as compared to replication. It is shown that a large number of errors can be detected by monitoring the control flow and memory access behavior. Two techniques of control flow checking are discussed and compared to the current error detection techniques. A scheme for memory access checking based on capability-based addressing is described. The design of a watchdog for performing reasonableness checks on the output of a main processor, by executing assertions, is also discussed.
- Research Organization:
- ROLM MIL-SPEC Computers, San Jose, CA 95134 (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5340920
- Journal Information:
- IEEE Trans. Comput.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Comput.; (United States) Vol. 37:2; ISSN ITCOB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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