Abstract: A power supply and method of operating the same. The method includes the steps of: operating first and second switches to an “On” position; operating said first switch to a “Off” position, causing a flow of a first free-wheeling current through a first free-wheeling current path; measuring a value of said free-wheeling current; controlling the switching of said second switch responsive to said value of said free-wheeling current; and regulating power from said power supply unit. The power supply includes: an inductive converter; a first free-wheeling current path comprising: a first switch connected in series with said inductive converter and a first means for measuring a first free-wheeling current flowing through said first free-wheeling current path; and a second free-wheeling current path comprising: a second switch connected in series with said inductive converter and a second means for measuring a second free-wheeling current flowing through said second free-wheeling current path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recognizing a fault when processing input data in a processing system to form a data packet which contains output data and a test data item, the test data item being formed in order to confirm the validity of the output data. The following method steps are executed serially: The output data ascertained on the basis of the input data in line with a first processing method. The test data item is ascertained on the basis of the input data in line with a second processing method, with intermediate output data being ascertained on the basis of the input data in line with a third processing method, and a test data item is determined from the ascertained intermediate output data in line with a fourth processing method, wherein the first processing method and the third processing method implement the same function by different routes. A fault is recognized in the processing system if the validity of the output data cannot be confirmed by the test data item.