Multiplexed I/O Terminal Checking for Safe Pad Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic devices with multiplexed input/output pads lack protection against misconfiguration errors, leading to potential unsafe operation modes, device damage, and communication failures due to the absence of static and dynamic checks for correct pad and multiplexing configurations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of terminal checkers and fault management units that continuously monitor and compare actual configurations against allowed configurations, overriding incorrect settings to default configurations and engaging a safe mode when errors are detected, thereby preventing device damage and ensuring safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiplexed input/output pads are used to increase device functionality, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to configuration errors causing unsafe operation modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing configuration validation before the device operates in unsafe modes. Terminal checkers continuously verify pad and multiplexing configurations against allowed states, and fault management units detect errors before they cause damage. This proactive approach ensures that configuration errors are caught and corrected before they lead to unreliable operation, thus maintaining both adaptability and reliability.
2Reliability
If configuration checking mechanisms are added to ensure safe operation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing terminal checkers and fault management units that autonomously monitor and validate configurations without requiring external intervention. These components continuously check pad and multiplexing settings against predefined allowed configurations, automatically detecting and reporting errors. This self-monitoring capability improves reliability while minimizing the need for complex external monitoring systems, thus balancing reliability improvement with controlled complexity increase.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring of terminal configurations is implemented, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by implementing continuous monitoring through terminal checkers that periodically validate terminal configurations against allowed states. The fault management units continuously detect errors, and the system periodically engages safe modes when configuration errors are detected. This periodic validation approach ensures configuration accuracy is maintained while managing power consumption through structured, periodic checking rather than constant high-power monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device has terminals for interfacing internal signals to other electronic devices. Each terminal is electrically coupled to a terminal driver and a terminal control circuit for receiving a terminal configuration defining the properties and multiplexing of the terminal. The actual configuration of the terminal driver is set according to the terminal configuration. The device has at least one terminal checker arranged for comparing the actual configuration to at least one check configuration, the check configuration defining a configuration of the terminal driver that is either allowed or not allowed, and for, when said comparing indicates a not allowed configuration, setting the actual configuration to a default configuration. Advantageously safe operation of the device in a system is achieved by monitoring the configuration of the multiplexed terminals, and switching to a default configuration when in error.