Virtualization-Based Controller Error Detection via Timer Interrupts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing virtualization-based integrated controllers are unable to detect software errors and automatically recover from them, leading to system instability and lack of reliability.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves delivering timer interrupts and difference values between timer readings to determine software errors in partitioned controllers, allowing for automatic error detection and recovery by rebooting faulty software type controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtualization techniques are used to partition a physical MCU into multiple virtual MCUs, then system adaptability and software flexibility are improved, but the ability to detect and recover from software errors deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the software controller into multiple independent virtual MCUs, each with its own timer interrupt mechanism. This segmentation allows individual error detection within each partition without affecting the entire system, enabling selective recovery of faulty software modules while maintaining system overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where each virtual MCU monitors its own timer interrupt count and reports status information back to the host controller. This feedback loop enables continuous monitoring of software health, allowing the system to detect errors and trigger recovery procedures based on real-time status information from each virtual partition.
2Productivity
If existing virtualization-based integrated controllers are used, then hardware resource utilization is improved, but automatic error recovery capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables each virtual MCU to monitor its own operational status through timer interrupt counting and self-diagnosis mechanisms. When an error is detected, the virtual MCU can automatically trigger recovery procedures without requiring external intervention, implementing self-service error recovery that maintains automation capabilities while improving hardware resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary monitoring and preparation mechanisms where timer interrupts continuously track software execution status in advance. When errors are detected, pre-configured recovery procedures are automatically executed, eliminating the need for manual intervention and maintaining automatic error recovery capability while optimizing hardware resource usage.
3Device complexity
If software controllers operate without error monitoring mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but system reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the error monitoring function with the existing timer interrupt mechanism, combining timekeeping and error detection into a single integrated system. This approach adds reliability through error monitoring without significantly increasing device complexity, as the monitoring functionality is consolidated within the existing hardware infrastructure rather than adding separate complex monitoring subsystems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining software errors in a virtualization-based integrated control system detects software errors for each partition (software of a vehicle controller) and recovers automatically. Thus, system reliability, which is an advantage of virtualization techniques, can be further enhanced, thereby providing an operator with stability, and software errors can be easily addressed by writing error information.