MCU Error Indicator Module for Fault Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Micro controller units (MCUs) often experience faults and errors due to external factors like electromagnetic interference or temperature fluctuations, which can be transient and difficult to diagnose, leading to unfair reliability assessments and unnecessary diagnostic efforts when the original cause is not present during examination.
Innovation Solution
A hardware-based error indicator module within the MCU that independently registers fault and error events in non-volatile memory, providing a secure, read-only record of events, including the nature and timing of occurrences, even after the MCU is disconnected from power, allowing for accurate diagnosis and reducing the complexity and cost of fault analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an MCU is used without an error indicator module, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to diagnose faults and errors is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The error indicator module performs preliminary action by automatically detecting, recording, and storing fault information in non-volatile memory before the device is returned for examination. This preliminary error capture ensures that transient faults are preserved and can be diagnosed later without requiring the original fault condition to be reproduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The error indicator module acts as an intermediary between the fault occurrence and the diagnosis process. It captures fault information through dedicated error detection circuits and interfaces, stores it in protected memory, and provides it to external diagnostic systems, thereby mediating the information flow between the embedded system and external analysts.
2Ease of manufacture
If error information is stored in volatile memory, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the reliability of error record preservation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by immediately transferring error information from volatile memory to non-volatile memory upon detection of a fault. This ensures that error records are preserved before power is lost or the device is reset, maintaining reliability while using cost-effective volatile memory for active processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The error indicator module creates a copy of error information and stores it in non-volatile memory. This copying mechanism ensures that the original error data is preserved even when the volatile memory is cleared or power is lost, providing reliable error record preservation without requiring the entire system to use expensive non-volatile memory.
3Device complexity
If software-based error tracking is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of error timing and conditions is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based error tracking with a hardware-based error indicator module that uses dedicated error detection circuits, latches, and non-volatile memory. This hardware implementation provides precise timing information and accurate error condition capture without the overhead and potential inaccuracies of software polling and timestamping mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A micro controller unit including an error indicator hardware module, the error indicator module being arranged to respond to event signals representative of internal and external fault and error events perturbing the micro controller unit function by registering in non-volatile memory a record of the nature of each of the events, wherein the record of the events is inaccessible to alteration.