Explain what a watchdog timer is.

Question

Accepted Answer

A watchdog timer is a hardware or software component that monitors the operation of a system and resets it if necessary.

A watchdog timer is used to prevent system crashes or lock-ups by resetting the system if it becomes unresponsive.
It is typically implemented as a counter that needs to be periodically reset by the system software.
If the watchdog timer is not reset within a certain time period, it triggers a system reset.
Watchdog timers are commonly used in embedded systems, where system reliability is critical.
For example, in an automotive application, a watchdog timer can monitor the operation of the engine control unit and reset it if it stops responding.

Accepted Answer

A watchdog timer (WDT) is a timer that monitors microcontroller (MCU) programs to see if they are out of control or have stopped operating. It acts as a (WDT) watching over MCU operation. A microcontroller (MCU) is a compact processor for controlling electronic devices.

Explain what a watchdog timer is.

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