Excavating
Patent
1987-02-09
1989-03-14
Smith, Jerry
Excavating
371 67, G06F 1122, G06F 1130
Patent
active
048130427
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention concerns a process for monitoring a data processing unit, preferably in connection with the execution of test functions to verify the instruction set of the unit, wherein partly a first type of information and partly a second type of information is provided. In particular, the invention relates to detection of errors in the micro instruction set with a view to obtaining a practically useful evaluation of whether the data processing unit operates correctly.
Since data processing units are very complicated, it is not possible to detect with complete certainty that the unit operates properly at a specific point of time. This examination must necessarily span a certain period of time during which the data processing unit performs a plurality of operations, and the decision whether the unit operates properly can only be taken with some probability.
Such test functions have e.g. been provided in that, at a predetermined location in the circuit, monitoring is established of the signal flow as a function of some applied input data, and then the signal flow is compared with the signal flow which would be correct in error-free operation. The German Patent Specification No. 3 225 712 discloses a process for detecting errors in a data processing unit, wherein a data word, generated by the data processing unit in response to a test function, is applied at suitable points of time, and this data word is compared in a comparator with information generated by a number generator with a predetermined number cycle. This known process is vitiated by several drawbacks, primarily that the result of each comparison arrives at the data processing unit with a certain time delay, which puts a serious limitation on the provision of test points in the test function. It will thus be appreciated that it is senseless that the data processing unit provides two data words to be compared with its own control information within a period of time shorter than the time delay associated with the comparison. Other drawbacks of the prior art are that it requires the use of a relatively complicated circuit to provide the control information, and also that the mentioned data words are generated on the basis of some operations in the unit to be tested, said operations being dependent upon some untested basic functions in the data processing unit.
The object of the invention is to provide a process of the type stated above, but which enables more rapid and flexible execution of a test function.
This object is achieved by performing a process in which a data processing unit produces first and second types of information. The first type of information updates a sequence network external to the data processing unit a plurality of times to provide a third type of information. The third type of information is then compared with other, predetermined information in response to the second type of information for a test function which monitors the data processing unit. Because the types of information are generated during the execution of the test function said first type of information being used outside the data processing unit to be tested to generate by means of a sequence network a third item of information to be compared with predetermined information, said comparison is controlled solely on the basis of the provision of the second type of information. Since information of the first type may be called an "intermediate result", it will be appreciated that it is possible in the process of the invention to consider a large number of intermediate results which may be generated between two comparison operations, i.e. between two signals of the second type, at arbitrary points of time totally dependent upon when this is considered most appropriate in connection with the actual test function. Since the sequence network is external with respect to the data processing unit to be tested, it will be appreciated that it is not necessary, in the data processing unit, to use special micro instructions to generate the first type of information correctly.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4594685 (1986-06-01), Owens
patent: 4679195 (1987-07-01), Dewey
Andersen Svend V.
Budinka Rudolf
Maaloe Jens
Aktieselskabet Nordiske Kabel-og Traadfabriker
Beausoliel Robert W.
Smith Jerry
LandOfFree
Process for monitoring a data processing unit and a system for p does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Process for monitoring a data processing unit and a system for p, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Process for monitoring a data processing unit and a system for p will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-899040