JPH04288630A - Device diagnostic control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To diagnose faults even in the case of a faulty RAM by using a register file in a CPU as a buffer where information related to the start of diagnosis and diagnostic items and information of diagnostic results are temporarily stored. CONSTITUTION:When diagnosis of a microprocessor system 1 due to a test program 14 is terminated, information of the normal operation is stored in a RAM 13b. Meanwhile, the abnormal state is detected by an abnormality detecting part 15, and its information is stored in not only an abnormality information storage part 16 but also a register file 16a of a CPU 11. Information related to the abnormal state detected by the abnormality detecting part 15 is transmitted to a general computer 2 from a register file 11a through an interface 17, a communication line 3, and an interface 27 after being stored in the register file 11a of the CPU 11. Consequently, information related to the abnormal state is transmitted to the general purpose computer 2 to obtain the diagnostic results even if the RAM 13b is faulty.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control method for diagnosing a device whose operation is controlled by a processor such as a microprocessor, a so-called microprocessor system.

0002

[Prior Art] Diagnosis of microprocessor systems is
For example, as in the invention disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 62-52639, a test program provided in the system is executed and the results are displayed on a display device in the system or provided exclusively for the system. I was trying to let him do it. However, when adopting such a method, it becomes necessary to equip the microprocessor system with special display devices, output devices, etc. that are used only for diagnosis, but these devices are not used for purposes other than diagnosis. There was a problem that there was a lot of waste because it was not done.

[0003] In view of these circumstances, the applicant of the present application previously filed an application for the system of the invention in Japanese Patent Application No. 2-308176. The invention of Japanese Patent Application No. 2-308176 was proposed in order to eliminate the need for a special device to be dedicated to a microprocessor system.

[0004] The invention of the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 2-308176 will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 2 shows the above-mentioned patent application No. 2
It is a block diagram showing the main part of the apparatus used for carrying out the apparatus diagnostic control method of the invention of No. 308176 together with the main part of the apparatus to be diagnosed.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 indicates a microprocessor system to be diagnosed, which includes a CPU 11 that controls the entire system, and a test program 14 for diagnosis.
a ROM 13a that stores the data, a RAM 13b that is used for temporary data storage, an anomaly detection section 15 that detects any abnormality in the internal functions of the microprocessor system 1, and an abnormality detection section 15 that detects the information detected by the anomaly detection section 15. It is equipped with an abnormality information storage section 16 for storing information, an interface 17 for controlling communication with a general-purpose computer 2 to be described later, and various LSIs 12 that originally constitute the microprocessor system 1.

The test program 14 tests the functions of the ROM 13a, the CPU 11, and the various LSIs 12 constituting the microprocessor system 1 by executing the test program 14. If an abnormality exists in these functions as a result of the test by the test program 14, the abnormality detection section 15 detects the abnormality, and information regarding the detected abnormality is stored in the abnormality information storage section 16.

[0007] Various hardware constituting the microprocessor system 1 is connected to the general-purpose computer 2 via a communication line 3 via an input/output interface 17.

The general-purpose computer 2 includes a CPU 21 that is the center of arithmetic control, a ROM 23 that stores its system program, a RAM 24 that stores subprograms to be described later in an appropriate manner, and a display section 28 that displays operating procedures and diagnostic results. , an output device 29 such as a printer for printing the diagnosis results, an interface 27 connected to the interface 17 on the microprocessor system 1 side via the communication line 3, and the like.

FIG. 3 shows the RAM 24 (
9 is a flowchart showing an overview of subprograms stored in the ROM 23 (the ROM 23 may be used).

When a subprogram is started on the general-purpose computer 2, the main menu screen is first displayed on the display section 28.
A routine displayed in is executed (step S1).

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the main menu screen displayed on the display section 28. The main menu screen has a menu of diagnostic items (test items) corresponding to the microprocessor system 1 to be diagnosed, so the operator selects the diagnostic item to be executed according to the menu number and inputs it using the appropriate operations. . By inputting the menu number of this diagnostic item, a routine for displaying a data setting screen on the display section 28 is executed (step S2).

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data setting screen displayed on the display section 28. The display example in FIG. 5 shows a case where the high-speed SRAM check test item (test item 2-1 on the display screen in FIG. 4) in the protected mode of the microprocessor system 1 is selected. When the operator finishes inputting the test data according to this display screen, the subprogram startup screen is displayed on the display section 2.
The routine shown in 8 is executed (step S3).
.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a subprogram startup screen displayed on the display unit 28. When the operator performs an appropriate operation such as pressing the "Y" key in the display state of the display section 28 as shown in FIG. 6, diagnosis using the previously selected diagnosis item is started.

Specifically, the process is as follows. First, the general-purpose computer 2 gives an interrupt signal to the microprocessor system 1. On the microprocessor system 1 side, the given interrupt signal is sent to the communication line 3 and interface 1.
7 and stores it in a receive data buffer (not shown) in the RAM 13b. Upon receiving the interrupt signal from the general-purpose computer 2, the microprocessor system 1 starts and executes a routine corresponding to the selected diagnostic item in the test program 14 stored in the ROM 13a. .

Note that when multiple diagnostic items are selected, information specifying each item is stored in the reception data buffer in the RAM 13b, and the routine of the test program 14 corresponding to each diagnostic item is sequentially executed. be done.

[0016] When the diagnosis of the microprocessor system 1 by the test program 14 is completed, information on the normal operating state is stored in the RAM 13b as required. On the other hand, the abnormal state is detected by the abnormality information detection section 15, and the information is stored in the abnormality information storage section 16. Furthermore,
These pieces of information are stored in a transmission data buffer (not shown) in the RAM 13b.

After this, an interrupt signal is given from the system 1 side to the general-purpose computer 2 side. When the general-purpose computer 2 receives the interrupt signal from the microprocessor system 1, it reads the contents of the transmission data buffer in the RAM 13b via the interface 17, the communication line 3, and the interface 27, and checks whether the diagnosis result is abnormal or normal.
(Step S4). If there is no abnormality in the diagnosis result, the general-purpose computer 2 executes a routine to display a screen on the display unit 28 indicating that the diagnosis result is acceptable (step S5), and then returns to the routine to display the main menu screen. (Step S1).

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an example of the display screen of the display unit 28 indicating that the above-mentioned diagnosis result is acceptable.

On the other hand, if there is an abnormality, a routine is executed to display a screen on the display unit 28 indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the diagnosis result (step S6), and the abnormality information is outputted from the output device 29. is output (step S7).

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 28 when an abnormality exists in the diagnosis result.

[0021] The application of such conventional technology is not limited to microprocessor systems, but can also be applied to systems and devices using larger scale processors, such as communication systems. Furthermore, the general-purpose computer may be a personal computer, workstation, minicomputer, etc. as appropriate.

[0022]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] By the way, in the case of the conventional method of the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2-308176 as described above, the RAM 13 in the microprocessor system 1
Since the configuration is such that the diagnosis start and diagnosis item commands are stored in the reception data buffer in RAM 13b, and the diagnosis results are also stored once in the transmission data buffer in RAM 13b and then transmitted to the general-purpose computer 2 side, RAM13b
If there is a failure in the computer, it will not be possible to start diagnosis or receive instructions for diagnosis items, nor will it be possible to transmit the diagnosis results to the general-purpose computer 2 side. That is, even if only the RAM 13b is out of order, the microprocessor system 1
There is a problem that a complete diagnosis cannot be made.

[0023] The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and is useful in cases where there is a failure in the RAM for starting diagnosis, receiving commands for diagnosis items, and transmitting diagnosis results to the outside. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device diagnostic control method that can reliably perform diagnosis even when the device is in use.

[0024]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The device diagnosis control method of the present invention is realized by a device comprising a device to be diagnosed and a computer equipped with a program for controlling the execution of a test program installed in the device. The register file in the CPU is used as a buffer necessary for receiving information on the start of diagnosis and diagnosis items given from the computer on the target device side, and temporarily storing that information when transmitting the diagnosis results to the computer. Configure it to do so.

[0025]

[Operation] In the device diagnosis control method of the present invention, the information necessary to execute the test program on the device to be diagnosed is directly transferred from the computer to the CPU without going through the RAM.
The diagnostic results are also input to the register file of the CPU.
Once stored in the register file of RA, it is sent directly to the computer side without going through RAM.
Fault diagnosis becomes possible even when M is out of order.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to drawings showing embodiments thereof.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the apparatus used to implement the apparatus diagnosis control method according to the present invention, together with the main parts of the apparatus to be diagnosed. In FIG. 1, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding components as those of the prior art shown in FIG. 2 described above.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 indicates a microprocessor system to be diagnosed, and a CP which controls the entire system and has a built-in register file 11a.
U11, a ROM 13a that stores a test program 14 for diagnosis, a RAM 13b that is used for temporary storage of data, an abnormality detection unit 15 that detects an abnormality in the internal function of the microprocessor system 1, An abnormality information storage unit 16 that stores information detected by the abnormality detection unit 15, an interface 17 that controls communication with a general-purpose computer 2 to be described later, and various LSIs 12 that originally constitute the microprocessor system 1.
etc.

The test program 14 tests the functions of the ROM 13a, the CPU 11, and the various LSIs 12 constituting the microprocessor system 1 by its execution. If an abnormality exists in these functions as a result of the test by the test program 14, the abnormality detection section 15 detects the abnormality, and information regarding the detected abnormality is stored in the abnormality information storage section 16.

[0030] Various hardware constituting the microprocessor system 1 is connected to the general-purpose computer 2 by a communication line 3 via an input/output interface 17.

The general-purpose computer 2 includes a CPU 21 that is the center of arithmetic control, a ROM 23 that stores its system program, a RAM 24 that stores subprograms to be described later in an appropriate manner, and a display section 28 that displays operating procedures and diagnostic results. , an output device 29 such as a printer for printing the diagnosis results, an interface 27 connected to the interface 17 on the microprocessor system 1 side via the communication line 3, and the like.

The operation of the device used in the device diagnostic control method of the present invention is basically the same as that of the conventional example described above, and the subsystem stored in the RAM 24 (or ROM 23) of the general-purpose computer 2 The program and its operating procedure are also similar to the flowchart shown in FIG.

When a subprogram is started on the general-purpose computer 2, a routine is first executed to display a main menu screen as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 4 on the display unit 28.
(Step S1).

Since the main menu screen has a menu of diagnostic items (test items) corresponding to the microprocessor system 1 to be diagnosed, the operator selects the diagnostic item to be executed according to the menu number and performs the appropriate operation. Input by. By inputting the menu number of this diagnosis item, a routine for displaying a data setting screen as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 5 on the display section 28 is executed (step S2).

The display example in FIG. 5 shows a case where the high-speed SRAM check test item (test item 2-1 on the display screen in FIG. 4) in the protected mode of the microprocessor system 1 is selected. When the operator finishes inputting the test data according to this display screen,
A routine for displaying a subprogram startup screen as shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit 28 is executed (step S3).

When the operator performs an appropriate operation such as pressing the "Y" key in the display state of the display unit 28 as shown in FIG. 6, diagnosis using the previously selected diagnosis item is started.

Specifically, the process is as follows. First, the general-purpose computer 2 gives an interrupt signal to the microprocessor system 1. On the microprocessor system 1 side, the given interrupt signal is sent to the communication line 3 and interface 1.
7 and stores it in the register file 11a in the CPU 11. Upon receiving the interrupt signal from the general-purpose computer 2, the microprocessor system 1 starts and executes a routine corresponding to the selected diagnostic item in the test program 14 stored in the ROM 13a. .

Note that when multiple diagnostic items are selected, information specifying each item is stored in the register file 11a in the CPU 11, and the routine of the test program 14 corresponding to each diagnostic item is executed sequentially. be done.

When the test program 14 finishes diagnosing the microprocessor system 1, information on the normal operating state is stored in the RAM 13b as required. On the other hand, the abnormal state is detected by the abnormality information detection section 15, and the information is stored in the abnormality information storage section 16. Furthermore,
This information is stored in the register file 11 in the CPU 11.
It is stored in a.

After this, an interrupt signal is given from the system 1 side to the general-purpose computer 2 side. When the general-purpose computer 2 receives the interrupt signal from the microprocessor system 1, it processes the register file 11a in the CPU 11 described above.
The contents of are read through the interface 17, the communication line 3, and the interface 27, and the abnormality/normality of the diagnosis result is checked (step S4). If there is no abnormality in the diagnosis result, the general-purpose computer 2 executes a routine to display a screen as shown in FIG. 7 on the display unit 28 indicating that the diagnosis result is passed (step S5), and then displays the main menu screen. Return to the routine (step S1).

On the other hand, if there is an abnormality, a routine is executed to display a screen as shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 28 indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the diagnosis result.
6), and abnormality information is output by the output device 29 (
Step S7).

As described above, in the device diagnostic control method of the present invention, information regarding the abnormal state detected by the abnormality detection section 15 is temporarily stored in the register file 11a of the CPU 11, and then transmitted from the register file 11a to the interface 17 and the communication line 3. , and the general-purpose computer 2 via the interface 27. Therefore, even if there is a failure in the RAM 13b, information regarding the abnormal state is transmitted to the general-purpose computer 2 and a diagnosis result can be obtained.

The device diagnostic control method of the present invention is not limited to microprocessor systems, but can also be applied to systems and devices using larger scale processors, such as communication systems. In addition, the general-purpose computer may be a personal computer, workstation, minicomputer, or other suitable computer.

[0044]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, in the device diagnostic control method of the present invention, information for controlling the test program given from the computer equipped with the program for controlling the test program is directly input to the CPU without going through the RAM. Information regarding abnormal conditions input to the register file and detected by the abnormality detection unit as a result of test program execution is stored in the register file in the CPU, and then transferred from the register file to the interface and communication line without going through RAM. , interface to the computer, so even if there is a failure in the RAM, information regarding the abnormal state is transmitted to the general-purpose computer and a diagnostic result can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main parts of a device used to implement a device diagnosis control method according to the present invention, together with the main parts of a device to be diagnosed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main parts of a device used to implement the device diagnosis control method of the conventional invention, together with the main parts of a device to be diagnosed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an overview of subprograms stored in the RAM (or ROM) of a general-purpose computer.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a main menu screen displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data setting screen displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a subprogram startup screen displayed on the display unit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an example of a display screen of the display unit indicating that the diagnosis result is passed.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit when an abnormality exists in the diagnosis result.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Microprocessor system 2 General-purpose computer 13a ROM 13b RAM 14 Test program 21 CPU 23 ROM 24 RAM 28 Display section 29 Output device

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A device to be diagnosed whose operation is controlled by a processor having a built-in register file and which is equipped with a test program for diagnosing its own functions, and a means for communicating with the device to be diagnosed, wherein the test program and a computer equipped with a program for controlling the test program, transmits information for executing the test program to the device to be diagnosed through the communication means, and transmits the resulting diagnosis result of the device to be diagnosed by the communication means to the device to be diagnosed. In a device diagnosis control method in which a computer obtains and converts the information into visual information, information given from the computer to the device to be diagnosed in order to execute the test program is written directly from the communication means to the register file, A device diagnostic control method, wherein information on the execution result of the test program given from the device to the computer is directly read from the register file to the communication means and transmitted to the computer.