Re: Selecting embedded Linux for a new medical device project (LONG)

Thus IMHO using an FPGA would be the most intelligent choice. Here you can create any "Hardware" you want (including as sophisticated watch dogs as necessary) and you can include a 32 bit processor (e.g. NIOS with an Altera FPGA) with nearly no additional cost. You can use µCLinux (or one of about 10 other) OS and do the critical stuff in hardware.

You even can put two processors in the FPGA (one running Linux and one for critical stuff) if appropriate. Of course you should use some external watchdog device.

The "hardware" and the "firmware" can mutually watch each other for safety. Of course you should add some simple external watchdog device do do a reset and shut down any harmful hardware. I use a small PIC processor for this purpose.

-Michael
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Relevant Pages

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