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FAQ Section Updated about Watchdog resets #2533

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100 changes: 100 additions & 0 deletions doc/faq/readme.md
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Expand Up @@ -43,3 +43,103 @@ You will see this issue only if serial upload was not followed by a physical res

Ref. [#1017](https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino/issues/1017), [#1107](https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino/issues/1107), [#1782](https://github.com/esp8266/Arduino/issues/1782)


### I'm getting these Watchdog Resets "wdt reset"�How can I avoid them?
The esp8266 is equipped with two watchdog timers: A software watchdog and a hardware watchdog. If you don't understand why microcontrollers need a watchdog (timer), you may first read [here](http://www.embedded.com/electronics-blogs/beginner-s-corner/4023849/Introduction-to-Watchdog-Timers).

When your sketch is running�either in the `setup` or during the `loop`�you have to make sure to feed the watchdog periodically. Otherwise "it will bite" and the watchdog reset will stop your sketch. The basic operation is illustrated in the following picture:
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@pasko-zh, I think my comment was not to the point. Sorry, and let me be more specific. I would rephrase:

Otherwise "it will bite" and the watchdog reset will stop your sketch.

to:
Otherwise "it will bite" and the watchdog will reset your sketch.
or:
Otherwise "it will bite" and the watchdog will restart your module.

I think that "stop sketch" may confuse people, while "restart" or "reset" better explains what the watchdog does if not fed.

Thank you again for contributing to FAQ 👍

Krzysztof

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okey... I will change it.

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Went for "restart" your sketch, which explains it better than stop your sketch

![wdt basic operation](pictures/wdt_basic_operation.png)


**How does the esp8266 Arduino Core feed the watchdog(s)?**
From the perspective of your Arduino sketch, the basic feeding is implicit: Everytime an iteration of your main loop starts again, i.e. it hits the `loop` statement, (1) takes place and both watchdogs are fed. Esp8266 Arduino libraries, especially core libraries like for instance the `ESP8266WiFi` library take care of feeding the watchdogs, too. Thus, normally you don't have to feed them explicitly.

**When and why should I feed the watchdog(s) explicitly?**
The software watchdog bites exactly every 3.2 seconds, the hardware watchdog every 7�8 seconds. If your sketch contains code which could exceed running for 3.2 seconds you must feed the watchdogs. I.e. you have to feed them explicitly by calling

- `yield()`
or
- `delay(...)`

Note that calling `delayMicroseconds(...)` does **not** feed the watchdogs!

**Can I disable the watchdogs?**
You can disable the software watchdog but you **cannot** disable the hardware watchdog. Furthermore, you **cannot** change the intervals of the watchdogs timers.

The following code snippet shows you how to disable the software watchdog and how to feed the hardware watchdog periodically.
```c
extern "C" {
#include "user_interface.h"
}
int j = 0;
unsigned long a, b;

void setup() {
delay(1000); // This feeds both watchdogs
Serial.begin(115200);
Serial.println("Setup...");
}
// This function keeps the cpu busy for 1 second by doing stupid NOPs
void ICACHE_RAM_ATTR busy_1second() {
unsigned int i, iterations;
if (F_CPU == 160000000) {
iterations = 13333332;
}
else {
iterations = 6666666;
}

for (i = 0; i < iterations; i++) {
asm(
"NOP;"
"NOP;"
"NOP;"
"NOP;"
"NOP;"
"NOP;"
"NOP;"
);
}
}
void loop() {
Serial.println("Getting busy in 3 seconds...");
delay(3000);
Serial.println("now!");
system_soft_wdt_stop(); // Disable Software watchdog
system_soft_wdt_feed(); // Feed Hardware Watchdog
for (j = 1; j < 20; j++) {
a = micros();
busy_1second();
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Can this be replaced with a more intuitive delayMicroseconds(1000000);?

b = micros();
Serial.println(b - a);
// Feed Hardware Watchdog every 6 seconds
if (j % 6 == 0) {
system_soft_wdt_feed();
Serial.println("HW Dog fed! Miam miam :-o ");
}
}
system_soft_wdt_feed();
system_soft_wdt_restart();
}
```
And it will give you the following output:
```
Getting busy in 3 seconds...
now!
1000002
1000007
1000001
1000000
1000000
1000000
HW Dog fed! Miam miam :-o
1000001
1000007
1000000
1000001
1000001
1000000
HW Dog fed! Miam miam :-o
1000000
...
```