Detection and correction of multi-chip synchronization errors

Abstract

A uniprocessor if formed on plural independently controlled chips each including a primary instruction driven controller and a secondary error driven self-sequencing controller. Each instruction is supplied in parallel to each primary controller which generates an EXIT signal, as it completes execution, to a common external EXIT line. Hardware monitors the local EXIT signal and the common EXIT line state and activates the secondary controller, when a mismatch is detected, to set an on-chip reset predominant error latch driving a common external ERROR line, an ERROR-state on which also sets the latches and activates any inactive secondary controller to drive its chip to a first predetermined state and to reset its latch. When no ERROR signal remains, the secondary controllers cycle in synchronism through an ERROR routine, exiting to instruction control.