Microcontroller Error Injection Module for Signal Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microcontroller testing methods face challenges in creating real-world scenarios for validating safety requirements, as external devices are difficult to use when integrated into systems, making it hard to simulate erroneous signals for component validation.
Innovation Solution
A microcontroller with an error injection module that taps transmission signals, detects synchronization events, and modifies them by adding disturbances in synchronization with these events, allowing for the simulation of erroneous signals for testing purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external devices are used to submit erroneous signals to microcontrollers, then safety requirements can be validated, but the devices become difficult to use when the microcontroller is located and installed in the target location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the error injection functionality with the microcontroller itself by integrating an error injection module inside the microcontroller. This merging eliminates the need for separate external devices, making the system easier to use during installation and validation while maintaining the ability to submit erroneous signals for safety testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The error injection module acts as an intermediary between the microcontroller's signal interfaces and the external testing environment. It taps into transmission signals internally and can modify them by adding disturbances synchronized with specific events, thereby enabling error injection without requiring external intervention devices.
2Reliability
If additional external devices are used for error injection, then erroneous signals can be submitted for testing, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The error injection module is integrated within the microcontroller structure, merging multiple functions (signal transmission, error injection, and synchronization) into a single device. This reduces the overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate external error injection devices and their associated configuration.
3Reliability
If external devices are used outside the system, then error injection is possible, but it becomes difficult or impossible to create real world scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The error injection module serves as an internal intermediary that can tap into and modify transmission signals within the microcontroller. By synchronizing disturbances with detected synchronization events in the transmission signal, it can create realistic error scenarios that mirror actual operating conditions, thereby enhancing both reliability validation and scenario flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The error injection module dynamically adjusts its operation by detecting synchronization events in real-time and synchronizing disturbances with these events. This dynamic behavior enables the creation of diverse and realistic error scenarios that adapt to different operating conditions, improving both reliability validation and scenario versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A microcontroller includes a signal interface for transmitting signals. The microcontroller further includes an error injection module. The error injection module is configured to tap a transmission signal associated with the signal interface. The error injection module includes a synchronization unit. The synchronization unit is configured to detect within the tapped transmission signal an occurrence of a synchronization event. Further, the error injection module is configured to modify the tapped transmission signal by adding at least one disturbance to the transmission signal in synchronization with at least the detected occurrence of the synchronization event.