An apparatus includes a first hardware assist device having at least one transmitter, at least one receiver, and a timer. The at least one transmitter is configured to transmit at least one first signal to a second hardware assist device of a redundant second apparatus. The at least one first signal indicates that the apparatus is functional. The at least one receiver is configured to receive at least one second signal from the second hardware assist device. The at least one second signal indicates that the second apparatus is functional. The timer is configured to control a driver to block transmission of the at least one first signal in response to a fault associated with the apparatus. The apparatus also includes at least one processing device configured to perform one or more actions in response to a loss of the at least one second signal from the second apparatus.