High Reliability Processor System
First Claim
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1. A computer system comprising:
- a processor executing a stored program, the processor providing for an execution of instructions implemented through microcode stored in alterable memory on the processor, the stored program executing on the processor to;
(a) perform functions of a first application program employing at least a subset of the microcode stored in alterable memory;
(b) perform a calculation employing the subset of the microcode, the calculation provoking an error state of the processor when any of the subset of the microcode is not operating correctly.
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Abstract
A method of testing the integrity of microprogramming within a computer processor employs a test calculation designed to exercise instructions and to reveal errors in those instructions. The problem of testing instructions using the very instructions which may possibly be corrupt is addressed by developing a signature passed from instruction to instruction providing a low likelihood of a false positive outcome. A time-out system is used in the evaluation of the test calculation to capture a wide variety of other pathological operating conditions.
17 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A computer system comprising:
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a processor executing a stored program, the processor providing for an execution of instructions implemented through microcode stored in alterable memory on the processor, the stored program executing on the processor to; (a) perform functions of a first application program employing at least a subset of the microcode stored in alterable memory; (b) perform a calculation employing the subset of the microcode, the calculation provoking an error state of the processor when any of the subset of the microcode is not operating correctly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A computer program fixed in a non-transitory computer readable medium for testing a processor executing a stored program, the processor providing for the execution of instructions implemented through microcode stored in alterable memory on the processor, the computer program executing on the processor to:
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(a) perform functions of a first application program employing at least a subset of the microcode stored in alterable memory; (b) perform a calculation employing a subset of the microcode, the calculation provoking an error state of the processor when any of the subset of the microcode is not operating correctly.
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15. A method of testing a processor of a type providing for the execution of instructions implemented through microcode stored in alterable memory on the processor, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) performing the functions of a first application program employing at least a subset of the microcode stored in alterable memory; (b) performing a calculation employing the subset of the microcode, the calculation providing a predetermined value when the subset of microcode is properly operating; and (c) provoking an error state of the processor when the calculation provides a value different from the predetermined value.
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Specification