A watchdog timer (WDT) is a crucial safety feature in embedded systems, designed to automatically reset a device if the software gets stuck or enters an unexpected state. It works like a guardian timer: the running program must regularly “kick” or “feed” the watchdog within a specified time frame. If the software fails to do this due to a hang, infinite loop, or crash, the watchdog timer expires and forces a system reset. This ensures that the embedded device can recover from errors without requiring manual intervention.
Watchdog timers are widely used in applications where reliability and uptime are critical, such as medical devices, automotive control units, industrial machinery, and IoT devices. For instance, in an automotive braking system, a software freeze could lead to dangerous failures. The watchdog timer ensures that the system is brought back to a safe, operational state. Similarly, in remote IoT sensors deployed in harsh environments, a watchdog helps maintain functionality without human presence.
In short, watchdog timers act as an essential fail-safe, improving system stability, reliability, and safety in embedded environments. To explore concepts like these in more depth, you can refer to an Embedded Systems Course for structured learning.
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