Architecture of user-space drivers in microkernel systems, utilizing Memory Protection Units (MPUs) and IOMMUs to isolate peripheral DMA without privileged kernel execution.
When an untrusted user-space driver programs an Ethernet controller to stream packets via DMA, misconfigurations could cause rogue overwrites of kernel space. The IOMMU translates device addresses against dedicated page tables, blocking any DMA read or write outside the driver's verified buffer ring.
When a hardware glitch causes a CAN transceiver driver to deadlock, watchdog supervisors terminate the user-space process, reload the binary ELF image into RAM, and re-establish IPC channels. Because the microkernel remained healthy throughout, vehicle actuation continues without a single missed safety deadline.