Watchdog timer facts for kids

A watchdog timer is a component of an electronic system that makes sure the system is operating properly. These components can either be done as a piece of hardware or as software. Depending on the intended use, they either signal that a system is not working properly, or they make a system work properly again. A watchdog timer may cause a system to reset itself to its initial state.

Images for kids

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  Watchdog timers are essential in remote, automated systems such as this Mars Exploration Rover

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  Some watchdog timers will only allow restarts during a time window, as shown here

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See also

In Spanish: Perro guardián (electrónica) para niños