Configuration Register Signature Checking for Real-Time Data Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data storage methods face challenges in ensuring data accuracy and proper location storage, particularly in applications like automotive systems, where errors can occur during data transfer and verification, leading to inefficiencies and potential safety issues.

Innovation Solution

A hardware-based approach using a circuit-based apparatus with a data bus and logic circuitry to generate and compare data signatures, ensuring that data stored in configuration registers accurately corresponds to the intended data, without relying on microprocessor resources, thereby detecting errors and incorrect storage locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If read-back verification is performed over the entire register set, then data accuracy is improved, but the load on the microprocessor increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidmicroprocessor load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the verification process into segments by implementing individual verification logic for each configuration register. Each register has its own verification circuit that independently checks its data, allowing parallel verification without requiring centralized microprocessor involvement. This segmentation reduces the microprocessor's verification load while maintaining comprehensive data accuracy across all registers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration registers are equipped with self-verification capability through integrated verification logic. Each register can automatically verify its own data integrity using built-in comparison circuits that compare stored data against expected values or checksums. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external microprocessor verification, reducing processor load while ensuring data accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If read-back is performed frequently, then data verification accuracy is improved, but the response time and Fault Tolerant Time Interval increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification accuracyVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous verification by integrating verification logic that operates concurrently with data storage and retrieval operations. The verification process is not performed as a separate periodic task but continues alongside normal register operations, ensuring constant monitoring of data integrity without interrupting system performance or increasing response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The verification logic is prepared and positioned in advance within each configuration register's circuitry. Expected data values or checksums are pre-loaded into verification circuits, enabling immediate verification upon data write or read operations. This preliminary preparation eliminates verification delay, maintaining both high accuracy and fast response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If microprocessor is involved in read-back verification, then data assessment capability is improved, but the complexity and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata assessment capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary verification circuits as mediators between the configuration registers and the microprocessor. These intermediate circuits perform the complex verification tasks (data comparison, checksum validation, error detection) and present simplified results to the microprocessor. This intermediary layer maintains strong data assessment capability while reducing the microprocessor's resource consumption and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the software-based verification mechanism (mechanical system involving microprocessor execution of verification algorithms) with hardware-based verification logic. The verification functions are implemented directly in circuitry using logic gates, comparators, and arithmetic units, eliminating the need for microprocessor software execution. This substitution reduces system complexity and resource consumption while maintaining or enhancing verification capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3525210B1Data register monitoring
Publication Date: 2022.09.14 NXP BV
  • EP3525210B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3525210B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3525210B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to assessing characteristics of stored data, as may be implemented for verification thereof. As may be implemented in connection with one or more apparatus or method-based embodiments, a first data signature is generated, which corresponds to a logical derivation of configuration data sent over a data bus. Outputs that correspond to data read out from each of a plurality of configuration registers, which receive the configuration data over the data bus, are logically combined into a second data signature. The first data signature and the second data signature are processed and compared for ascertaining that stored data, as stored in each of the plurality of configuration registers, accurately corresponds to the configuration data sent over the data bus for writing into each of the plurality of configuration registers.