Watchdog timer using a high precision event timer

A method of operating a computing device comprising a hardware timer, the method comprising:

• operating the computing device such that the hardware timer is controlled through a software interface programmed to:
• set a compare value of the hardware timer to a computed value, the computed value being based on a ratio of a desired time out of a system event to a tick period;
• and
• set a counter value of the hardware timer to an initial value.

A method of detecting and handling errors utilizing a watchdog timer, the method comprising:

• determining a timelength parameter;
• staring a watchdog timer system for a system event according to the timelength parameter, the watchdog timer system having a standard hardware timer configured by a watchdog timer interface, the configuration relates to setting a compare value of the standard hardware timer to a computed value, the computed value being based at least in part on a ratio of the timelength parameter and a tick period of the standard hardware timer;
• resetting the watchdog timer system during successful processing of the system event;
• halting the watchdog timer system on successful processing to the system event;
• and
• generating an interrupt on the timer expiring.

A computer-readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions of components operable to perform a method of operating a hardware timer as a watchdog timer, comprising:

• a component for setting a compare value of the hardware timer to a computed value, the computed value being based at least in part on a ratio of a timelength parameter defined by a desired time out of a system event and a tick period of the hardware timer;
• a component for setting a counter value of the hardware timer to an initial value;
• and
• a watchdog timer interface component for configuring the hardware timer to operate as a watchdog timer, a timing mode of the hardware timer configured by the watchdog timer interface.