A new method for the detection and correction of environmentally induced
functional interrupts (or "hangs") induced in computers or
microprocessors caused by external sources of single event upsets (SEU)
which propagate into the internal control functions, or circuits, of the
microprocessor. This method is named Hardened Core (or H-Core) and is
based upon the addition of an environmentally hardened circuit added into
the computer system and connected to the microprocessor to provide
monitoring and interrupt or reset to the microprocessor when a functional
interrupt occurs. The Hardened Core method can be combined with another
method for the detection and correction of single bit errors or faults
induced in a computer or microprocessor caused by external sources SEUs.
This method is named Time-Triple Modular Redundancy (TTMR) and is based
upon the idea that very long instruction word (VLIW) style
microprocessors provide externally controllable parallel computing
elements which can be used to combine time redundant and spatially
redundant fault error detection and correction techniques. This method is
completed in a single microprocessor, which substitute for the
traditional multi-processor redundancy techniques, such as Triple Modular
Redundancy (TMR).