Dual-lockstep microblaze-based embedded system for error detection and recovery with reconfiguration technique

摘要

This paper presents a MicroBlaze-based embedded system that uses lockstep concept and reconfiguration technique to enhance system reliability. The design is based on two redundant MicroBlaze soft processors run in lockstep, and it makes use of the Xilinx IP core MicroBlaze Comparator to signal transient faults or permanent hardware faults. To recovery, any detected error will triggers run-time full reconfiguration process. The reconfiguration technique is based on the Internal Configuration Access Port (ICAP) primitive in the Xilinx FPGA fabric and we used Xilinx LogiCORE IP AXI HWICAP (Advanced eXtensible Interface Hardware ICAP) core to write software programs that modify the circuit structure and functionality during run-time. The hardware and software design of the embedded platform is implemented on a Spartan-6 evaluation board (i.e., SP605) using the Embedded Development Kit (EDK) prepared by Xilinx company.