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From: dana@locus.com (Dana H. Myers)
Newsgroups: comp.arch
Subject: Re: What you need for crash recovery (was Re: Computers for use
Message-ID: <1991Feb13.033454.2821268@locus.com>
Date: 13 Feb 91 03:34:54 GMT
References: <1991Feb02.112415.6180@kithrup.COM> <1204@dms.UUCP> <39039@cup.portal.com>
Organization: Locus Computing Corporation, Inglewood, CA
Lines: 26

In article <39039@cup.portal.com> mmm@cup.portal.com (Mark Robert Thorson) writes:
>Quoting from the Intel 80C196KB User's Guide:
>
>"It is recommended that unused areas of code be filled with NOPs and
>periodic jumps to an error routine or RST (reset chip) instructions.

[ rest of advice regarding error recovery deleted ]

>Obviously some people have worse error recovery problems than others, eh?

   Sure. The MCS-96 family, of which the 80C196KB is a more recent member,
is intended for use as an embedded microcontroller. One use of this family
is in automotive engine control (my prototype fuel injection project uses
an 8097, for instance), and the automotive environment is very noisy.
Other applications of the MCS-96 include machine control, once again in
an electrically and mechanically harsh environment.

  The error recovery needs in these situations are particularly demanding.
TImely recovery is often required to avoid damage to the system under
control. BTW - the MCS-96 family also has a watchdog timer.


-- 
 * Dana H. Myers KK6JQ 		| Views expressed here are	*
 * (213) 337-5136 		| mine and do not necessarily	*
 * dana@locus.com		| reflect those of my employer	*