Controller Circuit Self-Validation for Internal Fault Detection

The patent merges the validation function into the existing controller circuitry by integrating a validation circuit within the controller itself. This allows the controller to validate its own internal circuits (CPU, memory, bus) without requiring separate external validation hardware, thereby improving validation capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

The validation circuit is designed to perform multiple validation functions across different controller components (CPU instructions, memory access, bus transactions) using a unified validation mechanism. This multi-functional approach allows a single validation circuit to comprehensively validate various aspects of controller operation, improving validation capability without proportionally increasing complexity.

The validation circuit performs validation actions automatically and continuously during normal controller operation rather than requiring separate validation phases. Validation occurs in advance of potential failures by monitoring circuit behavior in real-time, which improves reliability coverage without significantly increasing validation time as the validation is interleaved with operational tasks.

The validation circuit operates continuously alongside the controller's normal functions, maintaining validation coverage without interrupting controller operation. This continuous validation approach ensures that all controller internal circuits are constantly monitored and validated while performing useful work, improving reliability without the time penalty of batch validation processes.