a) By giving 4 design considerations, describe the Concept of Damage Confinement in Fault Tolerance

in Real Time Embedded Systems (8 marks)

1. Redundancy: One effective way to achieve damage confinement is through redundancy. By

incorporating redundant components, the system can continue to operate even if one
component fails.

2. Isolation: Another design consideration for damage confinement is isolation. The system should
be designed to isolate components that are likely to fail or those that have failed, so that the
failure or fault does not propagate to other parts of the system.

3. Error detection and recovery: The system should be designed with effective error detection and
recovery mechanisms to quickly identify faults or failures and recover from them.

4. Testing and validation: A critical aspect of damage confinement is testing and validation of the
system design. The system should be thoroughly tested and validated under a range of fault
conditions to ensure that the damage is contained and that the system continues to operate
correctly in the presence of faults

b) Describe characteristic of four common office/home appliances that use Complex Programmable
Logic (8 marks)

1. Printers: Many printers use CPLDs to control the printing process. CPLDs in printers can handle
data transfer, image processing, and other logic operations. They are often used to manage the
communication between the printer and the computer or other devices. CPLDs in printers can
also handle paper handling functions, such as detecting paper jams and controlling paper feed
and output.

2. Microwave ovens: CPLDs in microwave ovens control the cooking process. They can manage the
power level, cooking time, and other parameters. CPLDs can also handle safety functions, such
as monitoring the temperature and shutting down the oven if it gets too hot.

3. Washing machines: Many washing machines use CPLDs to control the washing process. CPLDs
can handle various functions, such as water level control, temperature control, and cycle timing.
They can also manage safety features, such as monitoring the water level and shutting down the
machine if it overflows.

4. Air conditioners: CPLDs in air conditioners control the cooling process. They can manage
temperature and fan speed control, as well as other features such as air quality monitoring and
filter replacement reminders. CPLDs can also handle safety functions, such as monitoring the
compressor temperature and shutting down the unit if it gets too hot.