Data processing device, method of execution error detection and integrated circuit
First Claim
1. A data processing device provided with an error detection unit, the device comprising:
- a processor arranged to support execution of an operation and configured to execute a first sequence of instructions in accordance with a first implementation of the operation and a second sequence of instructions in accordance with a second implementation of the operation, the first and second sequences of instructions generating, when executed, a first result and a second result, respectively; and
configurable circuitry arranged to support a repository to receive the first result and the second result following generation thereof;
whereinthe configurable circuitry is configured as a function comparator unit arranged to compare the first and second results for consistency and to control further execution of the first implementation and the second implementation in response to a result of the comparison, wherein the function comparator unit comprises a first watchdog timer unit arranged to police a first time period in response to an instruction to perform the operation, the first watchdog timer identifying an exception condition in response to elapse of the first time period without receipt by the repository of the first result, and the function comparator unit further comprising a second watchdog timer arranged to police a second time period in response to receipt by the repository of the first result, the second watchdog timer identifying an exception condition in response to elapse of the second time period without receipt by the repository of the second result.
24 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A data processing device provided with an error detection unit includes a processor arranged to support execution of an operation including a first sequence of instructions and execution of a second sequence of instructions implementing the operation, the first and second sequences of instructions generating, when in use, a first result and a second result, respectively. Configurable circuitry is also provided and arranged to support a repository to receive the first result and the second result following generation thereof. The configurable circuitry is configured as a function comparator unit arranged to compare the first and second results for consistency and to control further execution of the first implementation and the second implementation in response to a result of the comparison.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A data processing device provided with an error detection unit, the device comprising:
-
a processor arranged to support execution of an operation and configured to execute a first sequence of instructions in accordance with a first implementation of the operation and a second sequence of instructions in accordance with a second implementation of the operation, the first and second sequences of instructions generating, when executed, a first result and a second result, respectively; and configurable circuitry arranged to support a repository to receive the first result and the second result following generation thereof;
whereinthe configurable circuitry is configured as a function comparator unit arranged to compare the first and second results for consistency and to control further execution of the first implementation and the second implementation in response to a result of the comparison, wherein the function comparator unit comprises a first watchdog timer unit arranged to police a first time period in response to an instruction to perform the operation, the first watchdog timer identifying an exception condition in response to elapse of the first time period without receipt by the repository of the first result, and the function comparator unit further comprising a second watchdog timer arranged to police a second time period in response to receipt by the repository of the first result, the second watchdog timer identifying an exception condition in response to elapse of the second time period without receipt by the repository of the second result. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A method of execution error detection comprising:
-
supporting execution of an operation comprising a first sequence of instructions in accordance with a first algorithmic implementation of the operation and execution of a second sequence of instructions in accordance with a second algorithmic implementation of the operation; executing the first sequence of instructions to generate a first result; executing the second sequence of instructions to generate a second result; receiving the first result and the second result in a repository; using a first watchdog timer, identifying an exception condition in response to elapse of a first time period without receipt by the repository of the first result; using a second watchdog timer, identifying an exception condition in response to elapse of a second time period without receipt by the repository of the second result, wherein the second time period begins when the first result is received by the repository; and comparing the first and second results for consistency and controlling further execution of the first implementation and the second implementation in response to a result of the comparison.
-
Specification