DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION
SECURITY FUNCTIONS
2 - 4
I-E96-211A
®
The MFC always initiates the data transfer operation. When a
data transaction occurs, the MFC addresses a slave, requests
the information, and reads/writes the data.
SECURITY FUNCTIONS
The hardware and software handle a variety of module security
functions that detect normal failures.
Hardware Module Security Functions
The hardware performs four security functions: error detection
and correction for dynamic RAM, illegal address detection,
machine fault timer, and memory management.
The hardware performs error detect and correct on dynamic
RAM; detecting and correcting all single bit errors. As these
errors are corrected, the MEM 2 LED is lit and remains lit until
the RESET is pressed.
If the hardware detects two bit errors, three bit errors or com-
plete memory failure, it causes both MEM LEDs to light and
immediately halts the module.
Next, the hardware detects illegal addresses in and above the
MFC's allowable address range (16 megabytes). If the processor
sources an illegal address, the address decoding hardware
detects it and generates a bus error. The front panel LEDs illu-
minate with the error message.
The third hardware check is the machine fault timer (MFT).
The MFC processor periodically resets this timer. If the timer is
not reset, it expires. When this happens, the MFC stops imme-
diately and the Status LED turns solid red.
The last security check is the memory manager. The memory
manager locks C programs into a pre-defined section of RAM. If
a C program attempts to write to an area out of the predefined
area, the memory manager forces the processor to abort execu-
tion. This security function protects the normal configuration
and the user's system from damage due to C program errors.
Internal Software Security Functions
Two functions are performed by the internal software: module
diagnostics and module status check.
Module diagnostics are performed when the MFC is powered
up. If a problem is detected, the error is displayed on the front
panel LEDs and the module stops immediately.