Error Detection and Mitigation of Data-Intensive Microprocessor Applications Using SIMD and Trace Monitoring

Abstract

This work proposes a software error mitigation approach that uses the SIMD coprocessor to accelerate computation over redundant data. In addition, an external IP connected to the microprocessor's trace interface is used to detect errors that are difficult to cover with software-implemented techniques. The proposed approach has been implemented in an ARM microprocessor and an irradiation campaign with neutrons has been carried out at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Experimental results demonstrate the high error coverage (more than 99.9%) of the proposed approach. The neutron cross section of errors that were not corrected nor detected was reduced by more than three orders of magnitude.

Impact of Atmospheric and Space Radiation on Sensitive Electronic Devices

“…Another useful resource is the SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data) coprocessor, which can be used to reduce the effort of repeating data computations. In [65], an effective solution is shown that makes use of NEON SIMD coprocessor together with trace monitoring in a commercial ARM microprocessor. This technique can effectively mitigate errors with reduced area and performance overheads.…”