C.r.f. Societa Consortile Per Azioni

Claudio Genta

Alberto Manzone

Claudio Lanfranco

Mitizi Puccio

A microprogrammable electronic device has a code memory storing a software and/or firmware code having instructions. The microprogrammable electronic device is configured to compute a signature of the code stored in the code memory, and to detect any corruption of the code stored in the code memory on the basis of the computed signature. The microprogrammable electronic device is characterized by being further configured to operate according to instruction cycles, each divided into a respective first and a respective second operating phase; to read a first instruction from the code memory at the first operating phase of an instruction cycle; to decode and execute the read first instruction at the second operating phase of the instruction cycle; to read a second instruction from the code memory at the second operating phase of the instruction cycle; and to compute the signature on the basis of the read second instruction.

Microprogrammable device code signature

A microprogrammable electronic device has a first code memory storing instructions, and is configured to execute each instruction in the first code memory at a respective instruction cycle. The system comprises binary code generating means, and a tracing device. The binary code generating means form part of the device, and are configured to generate and output on a single pin of the device binary codes, each of which indicates a corresponding execution-related event, is generated and outputted at a corresponding instruction cycle, and has N bits, where N is an integer &#x3e;=2. The tracing device is coupled with the single pin to receive the binary codes, and has a second code memory in which the instructions are stored. The tracing device is configured to trace instructions executed by the device, on the basis of the received binary codes and of the instructions stored in the second code memory.

Microprogrammable device code tracing with single pin transmission of execution event encoded signal and trace memory storing instructions at same address

A microprogrammable electronic device comprises a code memory storing a plurality of instructions. At least one instruction, when executed by the device, causes the device to enter into a wait state associated with a plurality of predefined wait state exit conditions. The device is configured to load into an electronic table each condition together with a corresponding code memory address of an instruction to be executed when the condition occurs; to execute, when is in the wait state, a wait instruction stored in the code memory and which, when executed, is such as to cause the device to check simultaneously the conditions loaded into said electronic table to detect if condition occurs; and, if a condition occurs, to exit from said wait state and to execute the instruction stored in the code memory at the code memory address loaded into the electronic table together with the condition that occurred.

Simultaneous checking of plural exit conditions loaded in table subsequent to execution of wait instruction for jitter free exit

The movable element of a solenoid valve is displaced by means of application to the solenoid of alternating phases at constant voltage and at zero voltage, so as to give rise to an alternation of phases of charging and discharging of the solenoid (switching), corresponding to increases and decreases of current around a substantially constant current value. The alternating phases at constant voltage and at zero voltage are controlled so that the phase at constant voltage is maintained for a pre-set time and the phase at zero voltage is terminated when the decreasing current reaches a pre-set value. Alternatively, it is possible to envisage that the phase at constant voltage will be terminated when the increasing current reaches a pre-set value and the phase at zero voltage is maintained for a pre-set time, or else again that both the phase at constant voltage and the phase at zero voltage will be terminated when the increasing current or decreasing current reaches a pre-set value. In any case, the duration of each cycle of charging and discharging of the solenoid is constantly monitored. It is thus possible to identify the instant at which the movable element of the solenoid valve reaches its end-of-travel position as the instant that separates two successive cycles of charging and discharging of the solenoid having durations that differ from one another by a value higher than a pre-set threshold value.

Method for determining the instant when the movable element of a solenoid valve reaches its end position following energization of the solenoid, by means of an analysis of the switching frequence of the solenoid driving current

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Orbassano, Italy

Claudio Genta