Low Cost Concurrent Error Detection Strategy for the Control Logic of High Performance Microprocessors and Its Application to the Instruction Decoder

We propose a low cost concurrent error detection strategy to improve the Reliability, Availability, Serviceability (RAS) of high performance microprocessors, by specifically targeting one of its most critical blocks (from the point of view of the microprocessor RAS), that is the control logic. By discovering codes that are inherently present within the control logic because of its performed functionality and verification needs (referred to as Control Logic Function-Inherent Codes), it allows to achieve concurrent error detection at very limited costs in terms of area, power consumption, impact on performance and design. Considering for instance the case of the instruction decoder of a public domain microprocessor, we will prove that our approach requires significantly lower area and power than traditional parity encoding, while providing higher concurrent error detection ability. Therefore, if adopted together with a system level (generally software implemented) recovery technique, our strategy constitutes a viable and successful approach to increase the microprocessor RAS, at very limited costs

Anatomy Education to the Public

Anatomy has a long-standing history with the public, dating back to the days of Ancient Greece. In recent years, anatomy has become a subject that again has come into the public forum, stepping out of the dissecting room with new teaching technologies and resources enabling learning about the body to become widespread. Engagement with the public is a growing area of academic activity as institutions become more accountable in demonstrating how they spend their funds and demonstrating the teaching and research they undertake. Anatomy lends itself to this engagement because everyone has anatomy and it directly links to their health in multiple facets of their lives. Many resources are available to engage public interest in anatomy, including plastic models, interactive media, crafts and 3D printing. There are important practical considerations relating to venues, funding, feedback and research. Engagement should be a fun and innovative event that enables participants to learn and enjoy themselves