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LEC-6032C User Manual
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A watchdog timer is a piece of hardware that can be used to automatically detect system anomalies
and reset the processor in case there are any problems. Generally speaking, a watchdog timer is
based on a counter that counts down from an initial value to zero. The software selects the counter
’ s
initial value and periodically restarts it. Should the counter reach zero before the software restarts
it, the software is presumed to be malfunctioning
and the processor
’ s reset signal is asserted. Thus, the processor will be restarted as if a human
operator had cycled the power.
For sample watchdog code, see
watchdog folder on the Driver and Manual CD