Microprocessor device with reset timer

• US 10,191,793 B2
• Filed: 06/14/2013
• Issued: 01/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nordic Semiconductor ASA
• Original Assignee: Nordic Semiconductor ASA
• Inventors: Olsen, Lasse, Rusten, Joar, Venas, Arne W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehrmanesh, Elmira
• Application Number:
  US14/411,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20150339179A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,055 Days
• Field of Search: 714 55
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0757 by exceeding a time limit, i.e. time-out, e.g. watchdogs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1497 Details of time redundant execution on a single processing unit

Abstract

A microprocessor comprises a timer capable of resetting the device and a plurality of hardware registers (4) arranged logically so that a collective predetermined state of the registers (4) prevents the device from resetting. The device further comprises software (2) with a plurality of functions arranged to place said registers (4) in said predetermined state if each of said functions has executed properly.

Claims

1. A microprocessor device comprising a timer capable of resetting the device and a plurality of hardware registers arranged so that a collective predetermined state of the registers fixed by a hard-wired logical relationship between the registers resets the timer, the device further comprising software having a plurality of functions arranged to place said registers in said predetermined state if each of said functions has executed properly.

2. A microprocessor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the software functions are each arranged to write a predetermined bit said registers in the event of successful operation and the timer is reset if the same bit has been recorded in each of said registers.

3. A microprocessor device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said registers are reset automatically.

4. A microprocessor device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said registers are reset automatically when the timer is reset or when the device is reset.