An integrated diagnostic reconfiguration (IDR) technique for fault tolerant mixed signal microsystems

An integrated diagnostic reconfiguration (IDR) approach is presented for mixed signal systems used in high dependability applications. The technique eliminates the need for multiple redundant devices. The approach has been used to implement a fault tolerant interface ASIC for a smart piezoresistive silicon pressure sensor used in an automotive application. The ASIC hardware has been combined with software modules implemented on a RISC microcontroller embedded in universal sensor interface circuit (USIC) to produce a working demonstrator. The conclusions considers limitations, benefits and further possible applications for the technique.