System and method of dynamic hardware reconfiguration during failure of device in a lock-step configuration to improve availability

A processing system, comprising:

• a memory that stores application instructions;
• at least one register that stores a lock-step threshold, a correction select value, and a reset performed value;
• first and second processors configured to execute the application instructions in a lock-step configuration;
• a comparator that compares processing results of the first and second processors and that provides a lock-step error indication;
• and
• a lock-step monitor that is configured to compare a count of occurrences of the lock-step error indication from the comparator with the lock-step threshold, and when the lock-step threshold is reached, to enter a repair state to determine which one of the first and second processors is operating correctly and to reconfigure operation into a split-lock mode to resume operation using the one of the first and second processors that is operating correctly,
• wherein the lock-step monitor is further configured, when the lock-step threshold is reached, to:
• reset the first and second processors and the comparator when the correction select value indicates reset and the reset performed value indicates a reset has not been performed, or
• enter the repair state when the correction select value indicates repair or after receiving another lock-step error indication after a reset has been performed.

A method of dynamic hardware reconfiguration, comprising:

• operating first and second devices in a lock-step configuration using a comparator that provides a lock-step error indication;
• counting occurrences of the lock-step error indication from the comparator and providing a count value;
• comparing the count value with a lock-step threshold;
• when the count value reaches the lock-step threshold, entering a hardware repair state for determining which one of the first and second devices is operating correctly and reconfiguring operation into a split-lock mode to resume operation using the one of the first and second devices that is operating correctly;
• resetting the first and second devices and the comparator when the count value reaches the lock-step threshold, a correction select value indicates reset, and a reset performed value indicates that a reset has not been performed;
• and
• entering the hardware repair state when the count value reaches the lock-step threshold and the correction select value indicates repair or after receiving another lock-step error indication after a reset has been performed.