Error Diagnosis Circuit Using Instruction Comparison for Functional Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for achieving functional safety in electronic systems, such as in automobile electronics, face challenges with hardware redundancy increasing space and energy consumption, and complex software algorithms requiring extensive developer knowledge, while radiation-induced bit errors remain undetectable.
Innovation Solution
An error diagnosis circuit that compares two instructions received through a communication interface, outputting an error signal if they differ, allowing reliable detection of errors without additional hardware or complex software redundancy, and enabling efficient software execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundancy is implemented on the hardware level, then reliability is improved, but area, energy consumption, and thermal load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by receiving the same instruction twice through the communication interface and storing both copies in separate flip-flops. This allows error detection without requiring redundant hardware execution paths, as the instruction is copied and compared rather than executed twice in parallel hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces hardware redundancy with a software-based comparison mechanism. Instead of using redundant hardware circuits to perform calculations twice, the system uses a single hardware path with software-based instruction reception and comparison logic to achieve error detection, thereby reducing hardware resources and energy consumption.
2Reliability
If redundancy is implemented on the software level, then reliability is improved, but computing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the copying principle by receiving the same instruction twice through the communication interface and storing both copies in separate flip-flops. This allows error detection without requiring redundant hardware execution paths, as the instruction is copied and compared rather than executed twice in parallel hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the self-service principle by using the instruction reception process itself to provide error detection. The system automatically compares the two received instructions and generates error signals without requiring external monitoring hardware or complex software verification layers, making the system self-verifying.
3Reliability
If conventional redundancy methods are used, then functional safety is improved, but development time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the copying principle by receiving the same instruction twice through the communication interface and storing both copies in separate flip-flops. This allows error detection without requiring redundant hardware execution paths, as the instruction is copied and compared rather than executed twice in parallel hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the error detection function from complex redundant hardware or software systems and implements it as a simple comparison circuit that operates on received instructions. This extraction simplifies the overall system design and reduces development complexity while maintaining functional safety.
Data Source
AI summary
An error diagnosis circuit includes a signal input for connection to a communication interface, configured to receive a first instruction and a second instruction for a device. A circuit is configured to compare the first instruction and the second instruction and to output an error signal if the first instruction and the second instruction differ from one another.