Microprocessor Reset Interrupter for Fast External Event Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microprocessors without interrupt functionality rely on polling, which results in slower response times to potentially harmful conditions, as they lack the hardware mechanism to quickly initiate a reset process in response to external events.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit (IC) with a monitoring circuit that generates an external event signal to trigger a microprocessor's reset input, allowing for a rapid reset of functional pins and initiation of predetermined actions, while a differentiator distinguishes between external event resets and other reset sources, enabling fast and appropriate responses to high-priority events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If polling is used to monitor conditions in lower cost microprocessors, then cost is reduced, but response time becomes slower
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the monitoring function from the main microprocessor by using a dedicated monitoring circuit that operates independently. This allows the microprocessor to remain simple and low-cost while the monitoring circuit handles event detection and triggers interrupts, resolving the contradiction between low cost and fast response time.
Solution Approach 2:
An interrupt service routine acts as an intermediary between the monitoring circuit and the main microprocessor execution. When the monitoring circuit detects an event, it triggers an interrupt that pauses normal execution and transfers control to the interrupt service routine, enabling fast response without requiring the main microprocessor to continuously poll.
2Loss of time
If interrupt functionality is included in microprocessors, then response time is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interrupt monitoring functionality is extracted from the microprocessor and implemented as a separate monitoring circuit. This allows standard low-cost microprocessors to gain interrupt capabilities through the external monitoring circuit, resolving the contradiction between including interrupt functionality and maintaining low cost.
3Device complexity
If polling is used instead of interrupt functionality, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring circuit performs preliminary monitoring of conditions continuously in the background without requiring the microprocessor to be involved. When an event occurs, the monitoring circuit immediately triggers an interrupt, eliminating the need for the microprocessor to poll and maintaining simple device architecture while improving response speed.
Data Source
AI summary
An interrupter, a method of responding to a monitored event and an IC are disclosed. In one embodiment, the interrupter includes: (1) a monitoring circuit configured to monitor for an occurrence of at least one event and generate an external event signal when detecting the occurrence, (2) a microprocessor, having: (2A) at least one functional pin and (2B) a reset input pin, coupled to the monitoring circuit, the microprocessor configured to begin a reset process in response to receiving the external event signal at the reset input pin and thereby set the functional pin to a reset state, and (3) a responding circuit coupled to the functional pin and configured to initiate a predetermined action when the functional pin is set to a reset state.