DEVICE ENABLING THE USE OF A PROGRAMMABLE COMPONENT IN A NATURAL RADIATIVE ENVIRONMENT

• US 20110022903A1
• Filed: 03/12/2009
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airbus Operations (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS NV)
• Original Assignee: Airbus Operations (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS NV)
• Inventors: Hazo, Samuel, Grimonpont, Bruno
• Granted Patent: US 8,418,027 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/702
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1004 to protect a block of data words, e.g. CRC or checksum G06F11/1076 takes precedence; security arrangements for protecting computers or computer systems against unauthorized activity G06F21/00

Abstract

A device for using a programmable component carrying out at least one logical function in a radiative environment includes: a mechanism for error detection in a data-storing working memory space actually serving to carry out each logical function of the device through use of data stored in at least one reference memory space storing a data copy implemented by at least one logical function; a mechanism blocking at least one output of at least one logical function of the component for which an error in the data implemented by the logical function is detected by the mechanism for detection; and a mechanism correcting each error detected in the working space.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A device allowing use of a programmable component performing at least one logic function in a radiative environment comprising:

means for detection of an error in a working memory space storing data actually used for performance of each logic function of the device, by use of data stored in at least one reference memory space storing a copy of data used by at least one of the logic functions;

means for blocking at least one output of at least one logic function of the component for which an error in the data used by the logic function is detected by the detection means; and

means for correction of each error detected in the working space.

17. A device according to claim 16, wherein the means for blocking comprises a means for storage, in a buffer memory, of data generated by the component and/or by components interfaced between the component and the buffer memory.

18. A device according to claim 17, wherein the storage means has a latency greater than or equal to a maximal time for detection of an error by the error detection means.

19. A device according to claim 16, further comprises means for detection continuity of an error and means for disabling a memory zone of the component adapted for preventing use of a memory zone comprising the continuous error, in event of such detection of continuity of an error.

20. A device according to claim 16, further comprising means for detection of continuity of an error and means for disabling the error detection means, in event of such detection of continuity of an error.

21. A device according to claim 19, wherein the means for detection of continuity of an error comprises means for diagnosis adapted for counting the errors detected by the error detection means.

22. A device according to claim 16, wherein the programmable component has no access to the reference memory spaces.

23. A device according to claim 16, further comprising permutation means adapted for permuting the working memory space and a reference memory space following a complete cycle of reading the data to be protected without detection of error.

24. A device according to claim 16, further comprising permutation means adapted for permuting the working memory space and a reference memory space following detection of an error in the working memory space.

25. A method allowing use of a programmable component performing at least one logic function in a radiative environment, comprising:

detection of an error in a working memory space storing data actually used for performance of each logic function of the device, by use of data stored in at least one reference memory space storing a copy of data used by at least one of the logic functions;

blocking at least one output of at least each logic function of the component for which an error in the data used by the logic function is detected during the detection; and

correction of each error detected in the working space.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein, during the blocking, there are stored, in a buffer memory, data generated by the component and/or by components interfaced between the component and the buffer memory.

27. A method according to claim 25, further comprising detection of continuity of an error and, for at least one portion of the detections of continuity of an error, disabling a memory zone of the component preventing the use of a memory zone comprising the continuous error.

28. A method according to claim 25, further comprising detecting continuity of an error and, for at least a portion of the detections of a continuity of an error, disabling the error detection means, according to a number of detected errors.

29. A method according to claim 25, further comprising permuting the working memory space and a reference memory space following a complete cycle of reading the data to be protected without detection of error.

30. A method according to claim 25, further comprising permuting the working memory space and a reference memory space following detection of an error in the working memory space.