Fail–Safe Microcomputer Software

This paper presents some of the error checking and fault tolerant schemes necessary to ensure extremely reliable and fail-safe micro-computer controls. The software has to be designed to operate in a diagnostic mode, as well as in a failsafe mode, in addition to normal operational mode. The system operational characteristics are thoroughly preprocessed and hierarchially arranged as parameters for ready use by different modes of operation to ensure reliability. Some error correcting schemes to bring the system to safe operating condition are also described, A close integration of hardware, as well as software controls, in a hierarchial manner, will ensure a reliable control system.