Abstract:
The present disclosure describes a system for handling detected error signals, providing the circuit elements for processing fault reports and implementing automatic fault isolation. More specifically, the system develops a fault report for each component based upon error signals derived therefrom. Changes in the fault report are detected and selector circuits are actuated to automatically isolate the fault to the particular component or components, or to reset the system in response to previous fault correction. The present system is advantageous in that it is independent of the equipment technology and applies to all design levels, from the unit itself to the individual components of which it is comprised.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The accurate isolation of electrical component faults which may occur in complex equipments and systems, such as electronic data processors, is of prime importance. Presently, techniques have been developed for detecting such faults and for recording fault histories. However, such techniques are generally limited in scope, do not address fault isolation at a system level and lack general application. A need has existed for a generalized fault reporting technique that is independent of the design technology and is applicable to all levels of the system implementation, such as the unit itself, card module level, or integrated circuit chip component level. 
     The system described and claimed herein fills such a need. Additionally, the present system offers the advantages of being independent of the fault or error detection technique and of being applicable to any operating equipment independent of its function and operation. The system also provides a relatively low cost method for accurate automatic fault isolation and may be applied to automatic equipment reconfiguration. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, error signals originating within the operating equipment, and generated by any convenient error detection technique, are encoded by a Fault Report Encoder. The latter classifies the error signals as being &#34;internal&#34;, originating on the component; &#34;external&#34; originating on a component but derived from an error transmitted thereto by an interconnecting component; and &#34;undetermined&#34;, in which the accurate origin of the fault is unknown. The encoding of the faults results in the generation of a &#34;fault report&#34; for each component. 
     The &#34;fault reports&#34; are applied to a Fault Status Filter which comprises a filter circuit for each &#34;fault report&#34;. The purpose of the latter circuit is to compare the present &#34;fault report&#34; with the preceding report. A change in the &#34;fault reports&#34; is detected by the Fault Status Filter and serves to trigger the Fault Selector. The latter comprises an Interconnection Matrix, whereby the components on the same system level are interconnected. Two connecting types, &#34;internal&#34; and &#34;external output&#34; represented by logic circuits, account for the four possible states included in the &#34;fault report&#34;. The Fault Selector isolates the detected fault to the correct component. Alternatively, if the preceding fault report indicates the presence of errors and the present report shows a no fault condition, indicative of a connection having been made, the trigger signal applied to the Fault Selector serves to reset the present system to a no-fault state. 
     The present system offers a significant number of advantages. For example, it employs a simplified two-line reporting technique during on-line operation. It is independent of the operating mode of the equipment under test and is compatible with diverse error detection methods. The system covers potentially all possible fault conditions. Moreover it may be implemented on any desired scale. All of the foregoing are achieved in a low-cost environment. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the detailed description thereof which follows. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall generalized fault reporting system of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 depicts samples of detected error signals. 
     FIG. 3 is a logic diagram of the Fault Report Encoder section of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the Fault Status Filter section of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates in detail the circuit configuration of the Fault Status Filter. 
     FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the Fault Selector section of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 7 is an example of the interconnection of components utilized in implementing the Fault Selector of FIG. 6. 
     FIG. 8 represents the Interconnection Matrix corresponding to the example of FIG. 7. 
     FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate respectively logic circuits for external output and internal connectivity types utilized in the Fault Selector of FIG. 6. 
     FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 illustrate respectively the circuits corresponding to the connectivity of the four components appearing in the Interconnection Matrix of FIG. 8. 
     FIG. 15 depicts in block diagram form a recursive application of the present invention to a lower-bound system level. 
     FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the recursive application of the present invention to an upper-bound system level. 
     FIG. 17 illustrates the logic circuit configuration for initialization and recovery of the present fault reporting system. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the overall block diagram of the generalized fault reporting system of the present invention. With reference to the last mentioned figure, a brief summary of the operation of the invention follows. The detected error signals in each component, designated respectively COMP 1 , COMP 2  . . . COMP M , are encoded in corresponding FAULT Report Encoders 10. A fault report FR, is developed for each component. The fault reports FR 1 , FR 2  . . . FR M , where the subscripts identify the respective components, are applied to a Fault Status Filter 20 in which the present fault reports are compared to the preceding reports. Changes in the reports are detected, resulting in the application of a TRIGGER pulse to the Fault Selector module 30. The latter comprises a plurality of logic circuits for automatically isolating the fault to the correct component or components, if the change in the fault reports indicates the occurrence of an error. On the other hand, if a correction has been made in a component since the recording of the preceding fault, the Fault Selector will reset the system to indicate that the repair or correction has been made. Each of the foregoing sections which comprise the present system are described hereinafter, both with respect to their construction and operation. 
     The Fault Report Encoder 10 is best understood with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 shows samples of the detected error signals. The latter are assumed to be those generated by any convenient error detection technique. Each detected error signal is classified as belonging to one of the three fault sources, namely, INT, for an internal fault wherein the detected error signal originates on the component; EXT, for an external fault, wherein the detected error signal is generated on the given component and detects an error transmitted to this component by an interconnecting component; and UND, for an undetermined fault, the accurate origin of which cannot be determined. 
     With reference to FIG. 3, the Fault Report Encoder 10 is implemented by the logical ORing of the detected error signals classified as indicated in FIG. 2. Thus, all of the internal faults for a given component are applied to OR gate 11; the external faults, to OR gate 12; and the undetermined faults to OR gate 13. The outputs of OR gates 11 and 12 are applied respectively to one input of each of a pair of OR gates 14 and 15. The output of OR gate 13, relating to the undetermined faults is applied in common to both OR gates 14 and 15. It is assumed that the detected error signals are, or have been converted to, a logical &#34;true&#34; value to indicate the occurrence of the fault. A fault report comprised of two signals N 1  and N 0  is generated by the given component, for example COMP 1 . If N 1  and N 0  are both logically &#34;false&#34;, for example a binary &#34;0&#34;, then no fault has been detected. If N 1  is &#34;false&#34; and N 0  is &#34;true&#34; (for example, a binary &#34;1&#34;), an internal fault is reported; if N 1  is &#34;true&#34; and N 0 , &#34;false&#34;, an external fault has been detected; and if both N 1  and N 0  are &#34;true&#34; an undetermined fault is reported. It should be noted that separate internal and external faults can occur and these are merged into the equivalent undetermined fault report. The &#34;no fault&#34; condition is representative of the initial preset status of the component. 
     Thus far, a fault report, FR, comprised of the signals N 1  and N 0  has been generated by the fault report encoder 10. Each fault report, FR, is then applied to a corresponding Fault Status Filter 20 as seen in FIG. 4. It should be observed that there is one Fault Status Filter 20 for each fault report, and one of the latter for each component under test. Thus, in FIG. 4, the &#34;M&#34; components designated respectively COMP 1 , COMP 2 , . . . ,COMP M , Have respective fault reports FR 1 , FR 2  . . . FR M . The POLL signal, which may be a strobe or a clock-type signal, is applied in common to all of the Fault Status Filters 20. Each Fault Status Filter 20 generates a TRIGGER signal designated by a subscript corresponding respectively to those of the components. The TRIGGER signals are logically ORed in gate 21 and the output of the latter is applied to the Fault Selector 30 (FIG. 6) as will be described hereinafter. 
     FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram for the Fault Status Filter of FIG. 4, the other Filters being identical thereto. A purpose of the Fault Status Filter Circuit of FIG. 5 is to compare the present fault report with the preceding one. This is accomplished as follows. The N 1  and N 0  signals of the fault report FR, are applied via lines 22 and 23 respectively to the &#34;D&#34; terminals of a pair of D-type flip-flops 24 and 25. The former signals are also applied to one of a pair of input terminals of the respective exclusive-OR gates 26 and 27. The &#34;Q&#34; output terminals of flip-flops 24 and 25 are coupled respectively to the other input terminals of the gates 24 and 25. A POLL or strobe pulse is applied in common to the &#34;CLK&#34; terminals of flip-flops 22 and 23. 
     In operation, the flip-flops 22 and 23 store the preceding fault report and the signal level on the &#34;Q&#34; terminals thereof is indicative of the report. If the current N 1  and N 0  signals are identical to the preceding ones, the signal levels on the pair of input terminals of each of the gates will be the same, and there will be no output TRIGGER signal derived therefrom. If however, the current N 1  or N 0  are different from the preceding signals, one or both of the gates 26 and 27 will generate an output, which after buffering in OR gate 28 forms the TRIGGER 1  pulse. The POLL pulse causes the flip-flop to respond to the respective signals on their &#34;D&#34; terminals, and to assume a corresponding stable state. The flip-flops 22 and 23 may be RESET by a pulse of suitable polarity applied in common to the CLR terminals thereof. 
     The block diagram of FIG. 6 is an overall view of the Fault Selector 30 of the present system. Briefly, the Fault Selector is comprised of the Logic Circuits 31 required to perform the automatic isolation of faults. The Logic Circuits 31 are divided into &#34;M&#34; partitions, each partition bearing a subscript number which represents the actual circuit that contributes to the isolation of a fault to a particular component. 
     The Logic Circuits 31 result from a systematic method involving the interconnection of components at the same system level. Thus, Logic Circuit 1 , receives a plurality of fault reports, FR 1  . . . FR x , derived respectively from COMP 1  and other components interconnected therewith, as will be explained in detail hereinafter. The interconnection of components is represented by an Interconnection Matrix 32, an example of which appears in FIG. 8. The Interconnection Matrix 32 is the fundamental element of the Fault Selector 30. It provides the information utilized to generate the Logic Circuits 31 of the Fault Selector 30. The Interconnection Matrix 32 may be developed manually or by a computer aided design process. The output signals, that is Isolation Data such as ID, identify the component responsible for the fault. 
     An interconnection of components at the same system level is illustrated by way of example, in FIG. 7. Four components are involved, namely, COMP 1 , COMP 2 , COMP 3 , and COMP 4 . 
     FIG. 8 illustrates the Interconnection Matrix 32 for the example of FIG. 7. Each row of the Interconnection Matrix 32 consists of the types of connectivity that the row component has with all of the column components, that is, with all other components. There are four types of connectivity possible by this definition. With continued reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the symbols in the latter figure represent the following: &#34;N&#34; is for No connectivity; &#34;I&#34; for Internal connectivity; &#34;E I  &#34;, for an External Input from a column component; and &#34;E 0  &#34; for an External Output to a column component. The symbol &#34;E IO  &#34; is used to indicate that both the &#34;E I  &#34; and &#34;E 0  &#34; connectivity types apply, such as a bidirectional bus or two separate connections. In the present system, it should be noted that the actual number of lines of interconnection from one component to another is irrelevant. It is only necessary for one interconnection to be specified between any two components selected from the symbols defined hereinbefore. 
     The four connectivity types represent the logic circuits used to implement the Fault Selector 30. FIGS. 9 and 10 depict the logic circuits respectively for the &#34;E 0  &#34;, External Output connectivity type and &#34;I&#34;, Internal connectivity type. The &#34;N&#34;, no connectivity and &#34;E I  &#34;, external input types do not require any logic circuits. 
     Since the Fault Report (FR) has four possible states including combinations of N 1  and N 0 , as discussed hereinbefore in connection with FIG. 3, the two connectivity type circuits of FIGS. 9 and 10 account for all of the states. For example, in FIG. 9, if the N 1  input is &#34;true&#34; and N 0 , &#34;false&#34;, an output is derived from AND gate 33, indicating the detection of the external fault. On the other hand if N 1  and N 0  are both &#34;true&#34;, an output from AND gate 34, represents an undetermined fault. Similarly, in FIG. 10, if N 1  is &#34;false&#34;, N 0 , &#34;true&#34;, an output from AND gate 35 represents the detection of an internal fault. If N 1  and N 0  are both &#34;true&#34;, AND gate 36 provides an output indicating an undetermined fault. The outputs of all of the last mentioned AND gates are ORed together, as will be described hereinafter. 
     Each component of the Interconnection Matrix 32 of FIG. 8 comprises a partition of the logic circuits in FIG. 6 that correspond to the component in the Fault Selector 30. The specific circuit is represented by the Interconnection Matrix row for the component. The connectivity types (symbols N, E 1 , I, E 0  and E IO ) in the row specify the logic elements of the last mentioned circuit. An additional OR circuit element contributes to the fault isolation. 
     With reference to FIG. 7, which is an example of component interconnections, the systematic process of constructing the Fault Selector 30 for such a component organization will now be described. The corresponding Interconnection Matrix 32 of FIG. 8 represents the logic circuits that implement the Fault Selector, and the latter will be constructed in accordance therewith. 
     FIG. 11 is a logic circuit for the first row component, designated COMP 1  in FIG. 8. With reference to the Interconnection Matrix of the last mentioned figure, it is observed that COMP 1  has two components, that is, columns that contain either an Internal (I) or External output (E 0 ) connection. These contribute to the Logic Circuit 31 of FIG. 11 and comprise COMP 1 , with an Internal connection and a second component COMP 2  with an External output thereto from COMP 1 . 
     Logic Circuit 1  of FIG. 11 is comprised of the pair of logic circuits illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The first of these is the logic circuit type depicted in FIG. 10 for I, internal connectivity. The inputs on lines 41 and 42 of this circuit are the elements of the fault report, FR 1 . The second logic circuit is that of FIG. 9, for E 0 , External output connectivity. The inputs to the latter circuit on lines 43 and 44 is the fault report, FR 2 . The outputs of the two circuits in FIG. 11 are ORed in OR gate 45, the output of which is applied to the &#34;D&#34; terminal of flip-flop 46. As described hereinbefore in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5 (Fault Status Filter 20), a change in the fault report of a component results in the generation of a TRIGGER signal. The latter is applied to the CLK terminal of flip-flop 46. The output of flip-flop 46 on terminal &#34;Q&#34; represents Isolation Data for the first component COMP 1 , and carries the symbol ID 1 . The switching of flip-flop 46 to the &#34;high&#34; state in response to the TRIGGER pulse, is indicative of the occurrence of a fault in COMP 1 . Reset means are coupled to the CLR terminal of flip-flop 46 for initialization of the system. 
     Continued reference to the Interconnection Matrix of FIG. 8, reveals that in the second row, COMP 2  has three components that contribute to the Logic Circuit 2 of FIG. 12. The three components consist of COMP 3  which has an External Output connection from COMP 2  ; COMP 2  which has an Internal connection; and COMP 4 , which also has an External Output connection from COMP 2 . With reference to the operation of the E 0  and I connectivity circuits of FIGS. 9 and 10 as described hereinbefore, the N 1  and N 0  elements of the Fault Report 2  for COMP 2  are applied to lines 47 and 48. Similarly FR 3  for COMP 3  appear on lines 49 and 50; FR 4  for COMP 4 , on lines 51 and 52. Output signals from AND gates 53 through 58 inclusive are applied to OR gate 59. An output from the latter gate is applied to the D terminal of flip-flop 60. A TRIGGER signal is applied to the CLK terminal of flip-flop 60 and an output from the latter as seen on its Q terminal is indicative of ID 2 , a fault related to COMP 2 . 
     In like manner, for the third row of the Interconnection Matrix of FIG. 8, COMP 3  has an External Output connection to COMP 2  and has an Internal Connection to itself. FIG. 13 indicates that FR 3  is applied to lines 61 and 62; FR 2  to lines 63 and 64. Outputs from AND gates 65 through 68 inclusive are applied to OR gate 69 which in turn applies a signal to the D input terminal of flip-flop 70. The output on the Q terminal of the latter, upon the application of a TRIGGER signal to its CLK terminal, is indicative of a COMP 3  fault. 
     As to the fourth row of the Interconnection Matrix of FIG. 8, COMP 4  has an External Output connection to COMP 1  and an Internal Connection to itself. Reference to FIG. 14 illustrates the foregoing. The Fault Report, FR 4 , is applied to lines 71, 72; the FR 3  to lines 73, 74. Outputs from AND gates 75 through 78 inclusive are applied to OR gate 79. The latter applies a signal to the D input terminal of flip-flop 80, which provides an output on its Q terminal at the TRIGGER time. The level on the Q terminal indicates a COMP 4  fault. 
     FIGS. 15 and 16 relate to the expansion of the system described hereinbefore to make it applicable to the multiple levels of the electronic equipment in operation. Thus far, the implementation of the fault reporting system has been considered at the same equipment system level. Thus, the level has not been specified in order that it might represent any arbitrary level. The recursive use of the present system involves a definition of the lower and upper bounds of the equipment system levels. The latter are illustrated diagramatically in the respective FIGS. 15 and 16. 
     Consider FIG. 15 for the lower bound equipment system levels. The latter are comprised of the lowest system level, namely the component part or parts; and the second to the lowest system level, comprising the assembly of several component parts. Thus, the Fault Reports in 10 for the component parts that make up the lowest system level of implementation result in Isolation Data in module 40 by applying the techniques described hereinbefore. The Isolation Data serves two purposes. First, it isolates the fault to the component parts and this Isolation Data may be stored or used to drive an indicating device such as a light emitting diode. Second, it serves as an Internal fault detected error signal as characterized in FIG. 2, and provides an input to the second lowest system level Fault Encoder 10a. 
     FIG. 16 illustrates the upper bound system levels of the operating equipment. The latter levels are defined as the relationship between the highest system level, namely, the system itself, and the second to the highest system level, that is, the subsystem. With reference to FIG. 16, the fault reports from the encoder 10a in the subsystem level of implementation result in Isolation Data by operation of the generalized fault reporting system described hereinbefore. Thus Isolation Data in module 40a serves the sole purpose of isolating the fault to the subsystem component or components and represents the system level of implementation. 
     FIG. 17 illustrates in simplified form the logic circuit organization for the initialization and self-test of the fault reporting system of the present invention. Although not shown, it is assumed that the Fault Status Filter 20 for each of the components in the lowest system level, receives a fault report (FR), as indicated in FIGS. 4 and 5. The initialization and recovery, or reinitialization of the system is implemented through the application of a RESET signal to appropriate circuit elements within the Fault Status Filter 20 and Fault Selector 30, as indicated hereinbefore. For example, with reference to FIG. 5, for the Fault Status Filter 20, the RESLT signal is applied in common to the CLR terminals of flip-flops 24 and 25 and has the effect of overriding the N 1  and N 0  components of the fault report. Similarly, in FIG. 11, for example, the RESET signal clears flip-flop 46, causing its &#34;Q&#34; output terminal to assume a low or &#34;false&#34; level. 
     In general, the RESET signal is employed after a repair action has been taken or any other system power up operation, or upon the completion of a system reconfiguration. With continued reference to FIG. 17, the RESET signal enables the Fault Status Filters 20 and 20a and Fault Selectors 30 and 30a to be reinitialized to a no-fault state. This condition is independent of the separate logic &#34;false&#34; Fault Report signals derived from the system under test. Assuming that there are no faults in the generalized fault reporting system itself, as distinguished from faults in the system under test, the signals from each level of the Isolation Data modules, such as 40 and 40a, from the lowest to the highest system level will all be &#34;false&#34;. The latter level appearing on lines 81 are applied to OR gate 82, the output of which is inverted in inverter 83 and applied to the &#34;D&#34; terminal of flip-flop 84. It is assumed that the RESET signals are present at two succeeding clock times. Accordingly, the second RESET signal, causes the &#34;Q&#34; output terminal of flip-flop 84 to become &#34;true&#34;, thereby providing an ENABLE pulse on line 85 to one of the pair of input terminals of AND gate 86. Thereafter, CLOCK pulses applied to the other input terminal of AND gate 86, result in a POLL signal output from the latter and is applied to the Fault Status Filter 20 in the manner described in FIG. 5. The operation of the present invention then proceeds as indicated hereinbefore. 
     On the other hand, after the application of the initial RESET signal, if one or more of the outputs on lines 81 are &#34;true&#34;, the implication is that the fault reporting system itself is defective. Accordingly, as a result of inverter 83, the input to flip-flop 84 will be &#34;false&#34;, and the latter will not generate an ENABLE pulse on line 85 at the succeeding RESET time. AND gate 86 will not be enabled, and in the absence of POLL signals, the fault reporting process will be halted, and will remain in this state until corrective action is taken within the fault reporting system. Thus, the logic configuration of FIG. 17 both initializes the reporting process, while providing a self-test of the system of the present invention. 
     In conclusion, there has been described a generalized fault reporting system that emphasizes accuracy in isolating faults. The system finds particular application in the complex system architecture of VLSI components, where it effectively determines the correct isolation of faults detected by the VLSI test circuits. As noted hereinbefore, a component iself may appear to be defective, but in fact, the detected fault may originate in another interfacing component and be transmitted to the former. The present system provides the capability of identifying the source of the fault. 
     It is apparent that depending upon the architecture of the particular system under test, changes and modifications of the present fault reporting system as described hereinbefore may be required. Such changes and modifications insofar as they are not departures from the true scope of the invention, are intended to be covered by the claims which follow.